How Does Charge Distribution Affect Electric Field Calculation with Gauss's Law?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Petar Mali
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electrodynamics
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the electric field due to a uniformly charged circular plate as its radius approaches infinity, using Gauss's Law. The original poster presents an initial calculation and seeks assistance with the implications of the infinite radius on the electric field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the electric field at a point perpendicular to the center of the charged plate and raises a question about the second part of the assignment related to Gauss's theorem. Some participants question the nature of the plate as its radius approaches infinity, suggesting it may resemble an infinite plane.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of the plate's radius approaching infinity and discussing the application of Gauss's theorem to this scenario. There is a recognition of the relationship between the charged plate and the concept of an infinite plane, but no consensus or resolution has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's inquiry is framed within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information provided or the approaches considered. The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of electric fields in relation to charge distribution as the geometry changes.

Petar Mali
Messages
283
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Circular plate radius R is uniformly charged and the charge of plate is Q. Find the electric field in arbitrary point perpendicular to the plate that passes through the center. Case [tex]R\rightarrow \infty[/tex] compared with a score of Gaussian theorem.

Homework Equations



Gauss theorem

[tex]\int_S \vec{E}\cdot\vec{dS}=\frac{q}{\epsilon_0}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I calculate first part of assignment.

[tex]\vec{E}_A=\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\int_S\frac{\sigma dS}{r^3}\vec{r}[/tex]

[tex]dS=\rho d\rho d\varphi[/tex]

[tex]r=\sqrt{\rho^2+z^2}[/tex]

[tex]\vec{r}=z\vec{e}_z-\rho\vec{e}_{\rho}[/tex]

and get

[tex]\vec{E}_A=\frac{\sigma}{2\epsilon_0}\frac{z}{|z|}(1-cos\alpha_0)[/tex]

When [tex]R\rightarrow \infty[/tex] [tex]\alpha_0\rightarrow \frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]

So when [tex]R\rightarrow \infty[/tex]

[tex]\vec{E}_A=\frac{\sigma}{2\epsilon_0}sgnz \vec{e}_z[/tex]

I don't know how can I do the second part with Gauss theorem? Thanks for your help!

Homework Statement


Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
When R -> infinity, the plate -> something. What is it?
 
hikaru1221 said:
When R -> infinity, the plate -> something. What is it?

infinite plane?
 
Correct :wink:
And what does the Gauss theorem give for E of an uniformly charged infinite plane?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K