Potential of Concentric Cylindrical Insulator and Conducting Shell

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric field and potential difference for a system involving a solid insulating cylinder and a concentric conducting shell. The insulating cylinder has a charge density of ρ = 45 μC/m³ and a radius of a = 5.3 cm, while the conducting shell has an inner radius of b = 14.2 cm and an outer radius of c = 16.2 cm, with a linear charge density of λ = -0.42 μC/m. The electric field at point R, located 44 cm from the origin, is incorrectly calculated as 268883 N/C due to errors in the application of formulas and understanding of variables. The correct approach requires a clear definition of the area and charge density relationships.

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dancingmonkey
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An infinitely long solid insulating cylinder of radius a = 5.3 cm is positioned with its symmetry axis along the z-axis as shown. The cylinder is uniformly charged with a charge density ρ = 45 μC/m3. Concentric with the cylinder is a cylindrical conducting shell of inner radius b = 14.2 cm, and outer radius c = 16.2 cm. The conducting shell has a linear charge density λ = -0.42μC/m.

1)What is Ey(R), the y-component of the electric field at point R, located a distance d = 44 cm from the origin along the y-axis as shown?

2)What is V(P) – V(R), the potential difference between points P and R? Point P is located at (x,y) = (44 cm, 44 cm).




E = Qenc/\epsilon
E = [2k(\lambda(cylinder) + \lambda(shell))]/r


\lambdac = \rho*A
= \rho*2\pi*0.053*0.044
= 7.0*10^-6 C/m

E = (2*(8.99*10^9)*(7.0*10^6+(-4.2*10^-7)))/0.44m
= 268883 N/C


But that answer is not correct. Please help me! I would appreciate detailed explanation or work, thank you!
 
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dancingmonkey said:
But that answer is not correct. Please help me! I would appreciate detailed explanation or work, thank you!
Surely you don't mean you want someone here to do the work for you?

Anyway, I see several errors in your calculation:
dancingmonkey said:
E = Qenc/\epsilon
That formula is not correct, as you could see if you check the units
dancingmonkey said:
E = [2k(\lambda(cylinder) + \lambda(shell))]/r
What's k? If you're using k = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}, then I don't see how you get that formula.

dancingmonkey said:
\lambdac = \rho*A

That line seems right (assuming you meant the c to be a subscript, not a variable on its own)
dancingmonkey said:
= \rho*2\pi*0.053*0.044
but that line is not. Hint: what's the area of a circle? (What does the variable A physically represent?)
 
dancingmonkey said:
\lambdac = \rho*A
= \rho*2\pi*0.053*0.044
= 7.0*10^-6 C/m

I think A is supposed to be the cross section of the inner cylinder, and ρ its radius. So why ρ*2π? and what is 0.044?

ehild
 

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