Understanding Integral Help: A Comprehensive Solution for Your Questions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding integral calculus in the context of electric current and charge distribution on a sphere. Participants are exploring the relationships between current density, charge, and the integration of these quantities over a surface.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are examining the validity of equations relating current density and total current, questioning the assumptions behind boundary conditions and the directionality of vectors involved. There is also a focus on the implications of integrating current density over a surface.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants raising questions about the assumptions made regarding initial conditions and vector orientations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the integration of current density, but there is no explicit consensus on the interpretations being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through definitions and relationships in the context of electric charge and current, with specific attention to boundary conditions and vector directions. There is an emphasis on ensuring clarity around the physical meanings of the terms used.

transgalactic
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a question and a solution is here

http://i42.tinypic.com/2qch7vo.gif

J=I/A
V=qE(\tao)/me

by the intervals iknow that they are scanning the whole sphere
I=J*S (the double integral is S)
why
they are doing Q_0 -Q(t) ??
 
Last edited:
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I=JA is only valid if the current density is constant along the surface. If it is not, as always, you have to integrate.

[itex] dI=\vec{J}\cdot d\vec{a} \Rightarrow I=\int \vec{J}\cdot d\vec{a}[/itex]

In this case the current density is different along the surface of the sphere, but luckily the surface vector points in the same direction as the current density, so the integral reduces to [itex]I=\int J da[/itex].

You know two boundary conditions [itex]Q(0)=Q_0[/itex], [itex]I(0)=0[/itex] and [itex]Q_{tot}(t)=Q_0+Q(t)[/itex]. Evaluate the integrals and solve the integration constant using the boundary conditions.
 
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on what basis you say that I(0)=0
on what basis you say Q_total(t)=Q_0+Q(t)
how do you know that surface vector points in the same direction as the current density
??
 
The total charge is the sum of the separate charges. What are the separate charges? Q_0, and the charge the current causes the sphere to have over time. At t=0 it is given that the sphere only possesses a charge Q_0, so there needs to be zero contribution from the current.
J points in the rhat direction. Any normal vector, nhat, on a sphere is a vector perpendicular to the surface of the sphere. Therefore nhat=rhat and rhat.rhat=1.
 
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whats rhat and nhat ??
 
They are the unit vectors [itex]\hat{r}, \hat{n}[/itex].
 
we have already done
[tex] I=\int J da[/tex]
we have some expresion
and i know the law of I=dq/dt (derivative of Q)
but why they say that its -I=dq/dt (minus derivative of Q)
??
 
Last edited:
why minus
??
 
They are keeping track of directions. From the page you posted, "The current is directed along the positive [itex]\hat{r}[/itex] axis (away from the charge inside the sphere).

I read this as meaning that the current is moving outward, but Q increases in the opposite direction; that is Q decreases (so dQ/dt is negative) in the direction I is flowing. I and dQ/dt have the same magnitudes, but opposite signes.
 

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