Why is E proportional to q/R^3 inside a uniformly charged sphere?

  • Thread starter tronter
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In summary, the formula for electric field inside a uniformly charged sphere is E = (1/4πε₀)(q/R³)r, and this follows from Gauss's Law where the ratio of charges between the inner and outer spheres is equal to the ratio of their volumes. The inner sphere serves as the Gaussian surface for finding the electric field inside.
  • #1
tronter
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In a uniformly charged sphere, why inside the sphere is [tex] \bold{E} = \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_{0}} \frac{q}{R^3} r \bold{\hat{r}} [/tex]?

I don't see how this follows from Gauss's law.
 
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  • #2
The ratio of the charges between the inner sphere (Q') and the outer sphere (Q) is equal to the ratio of the volume between the inner and outer spheres.

[tex]\frac{\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3}{\frac{4}{3}\pi R^3}=\frac{Q'}{Q}[/tex]

Thus: [tex]Q' = Q\frac{r^3}{R^3}[/tex]

Now use Gauss's Law to find the electric field inside the inner sphere.
 
  • #3
Just to clarify what Snazzy said, the inner sphere is your Gaussian Surface.
 

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