Need help with electric field/potential problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter lunarskull
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electric
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating local surface charge density on an irregularly shaped conductor, given electric field values of 56 kN/C and 28 kN/C. The challenge arises from the limited information provided, leading to confusion about how to manipulate these values to find the charge density. A key point is understanding the relationship between electric field (E) and surface charge density (σ), particularly that σ is higher at points of low curvature. Ultimately, the user was able to resolve their confusion and understand the problem better with guidance on the foundational concepts. The thread highlights the importance of clarity in physics problems involving irregular shapes and electric fields.
lunarskull
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
The problem is defined below:

The electric field on the surface of an irregularly shaped conductor varies from 56 kn/c to 28 kn/c. calculate the local surface charge density at the point on the surface where the radius of curvature of the surface is (a) greatest and (b) smallest.

Attempt at a solution:

Yet to start, b/c don't understand any further steps with such little information

Extra question:

If they only give us 2 numbers of an irregularly shaped object, how are we supposed to manipulate these numbers to find the local surface charge density?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There is a formula connecting E immediately outside the surface of a conductor and sigma (surface charge density). You also should know where the sigma is higher, that is, at points of low or high curvature.
 
thank you for the help, i eventually figured it out because you gave me the general basis that i needed to understand how to answer the problem
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top