Infinite Wire/Surface charge question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Decadohedron
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Charge Infinite
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the electrostatics of a thin infinite wire with linear charge density λ positioned parallel to an infinite conducting surface at a distance d. Key tasks include sketching the charge configuration, determining the total electric field above the plane, and calculating the surface charge density σ on the conducting surface. The relationship between the z-components of the electric fields due to the wire and the image charge is established, leading to the conclusion that the total electric field points in the −z direction. The final verification involves ensuring that the linear charge density of the surface charge matches the negative of the image charge density.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and electric fields
  • Familiarity with the method of image charges
  • Knowledge of Maxwell's equations, particularly Gauss's law
  • Ability to perform vector calculus in three dimensions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of image charges in electrostatics
  • Learn about electric field calculations for infinite charge distributions
  • Explore the implications of surface charge density on conductors
  • Investigate the applications of electric fields in real-world scenarios, such as capacitors
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying electrostatics, electrical engineering, and anyone involved in solving problems related to electric fields and charge distributions.

Decadohedron
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A thin infinite wire with linear charge density λ is located parallel to an infinite conducting surface, which is coincident with the x-y plane (i.e., z = 0). The wire is parallel to the ˆx direction and is located a distance z = d from the conducting surface. The figure on the left shows a section of the infinite wire and infinite surface in 3D, while the figure on the right shows the configuration projected in the y-z plane, where the wire is going into/out of the page.

(a) Sketch the location and charge configuration of the image charge.
(b) Sketch the total electric field E~ for region above the plane (z > 0).
(c) At a point located on the conducting surface ~r = (x, y, 0), sketch the electric field vector E~wire due to the charged wire. At the same point, sketch the electric field vector E~ image due to the image charge. Argue that the total electric field E~ = E~wire + E~ image points in the −zˆ direction.
(d) How are z-components of E~wire and E~ image related to each other?
(e) Determine the total electric field E~ at an arbitrary point ~r = (x, y, 0) on the surface. Your answer should depend on y and other constants given above. Hint: You just need to compute the z-component of E~wire, using your arguments in parts (c) and (d).
(f) What is the surface charge density σ on the conducting surface? (Note: The surface density is not constant; your answer should be a function of position y.) Sketch your answer for σ(y) as a function of y. (3 points)
(g) The amount of charge on the conducting surface must be the same as that of the image charge. Verify that the linear charge density of the surface charge along the x-direction, which is given by ∫ ∞ −∞ dy σ(y), (1) is the same as the linear charge density −λ of your image charge. (3 points)

Homework Equations


Field due to infinite wire: E=λ/2πε0r*cosθ

E = σ / ε0

Et = - (Eimage+ Ewiire)
Et = - λ/πε0r*cosθ

r=√(d2+y2)
cosθ = d/√(d2+y2)

σ = λ/πr3/2

The Attempt at a Solution


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B76TBRMyBuffYzdZYUpVUk8zdkU/view?usp=sharing I only really need help with part g) I'm obviously doing something wrong as I either get 0 or an indefinite... Not quite sure what I"m doing wrong.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
upload_2016-10-30_12-54-8.png


The power of 3 on the right side is incorrect.
 

Attachments

  • upload_2016-10-30_12-51-30.png
    upload_2016-10-30_12-51-30.png
    3.1 KB · Views: 535
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Decadohedron
It would be that easy...

Thanks a lot.
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
876
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Replies
23
Views
4K
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
3K