Resistance of a semicircular conductor with a rectangular cross section

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the resistance of a semicircular conductor with a rectangular cross-section, specifically between points A and B. The initial calculations suggest that resistance R is independent of the radii r1 and r2, which raises confusion among participants regarding the physical implications of this result. Some contributors propose analyzing the problem by slicing the conductor into thin semicircles to better understand the role of the radii in determining resistance. They suggest that integrating the conductance of these slices could provide a clearer insight into the relationship between resistance and the dimensions of the conductor. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of resistance calculations in non-standard geometries and the importance of considering all dimensions in such analyses.
Basel H
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


There is a conductor with the square-shaped area. the Radii are r1 , r2 with width b and resistivity ## \rho_R##.
Find the resistance R between A and B
Aufgabe6.PNG


2. Homework Equations

##I = \iint_A\vec J \cdot d \vec A##
## \vec J = \kappa \vec E ##
## \vec E = \rho \vec J##
## V = \int\vec E\cdot d\vec s ##
## V = IR##

The Attempt at a Solution


## I = \iint_A\vec J \cdot d \vec A = Jb(r_2-r_1)##
## \vec J = {\frac{I}{b(r_2-r_1)}}\hat e_\theta ##
## \vec E = \rho_R \vec J = (\rho_R I/b(r_2-r_1) ) \hat e_\theta##
## V = \int_0^\pi \vec E\cdot d\vec s ##
## d \vec s = r d\theta \hat e_\theta ##
## V = {\frac{\pi \rho_R I r}{b(r_2-r_1)}}##
The Total Voltage
## \int d V = \int {\frac{\pi \rho_R I d r}{b(r_2-r_1)}} ##[/B]
After integration over ##[r_1, r_2]##
## V = IR = {\frac{\pi \rho_R I}{b}} ##
## R = {\frac{\pi \rho_R }{b}} ##
I don't know, if the solution is right. It is a bit weird since R is not dependent of the Radii but the units are right.
I hope someone can clear my confusion and help me :)
 

Attachments

  • Aufgabe6.PNG
    Aufgabe6.PNG
    4.4 KB · Views: 1,145
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you think that the radii should play a role. It would seem so at first glance. Consider some extremes. One case I can think of: what if r2 is just a little bigger than r1, but both r1 and r2 are very large (you essentially have a very long wire). What happens if r1 and r2 are very small?

I was thinking of approaching the problem this way: what if you slice it into thin semicircles, then find the conductance of a semicircular slice (conductance is reciprocal of resistance). You can sum up (integrate) all of these parallel conductances, since conductances in parallel just add.
Once you have an expression for conductance, just take the reciprocal to find the resistance. I haven't worked all the calculations through, but the radii do play a role, in this situation.
 
Back
Top