What is the Charge in a 1.70 cm Section of a Line with a Given Electric Field?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the charge contained in a 1.70 cm section of a line with an electric field of 830 N/C at a distance of 0.375 m. The correct formula to use is E = λ / (2 * π * ε0 * r), where λ represents the charge per unit length. Participants identified that the initial approach using E = q / (4 * π * ε0 * r^2) was incorrect for a line charge scenario. The accurate calculation involves determining λ first and then using it to find the total charge in the specified segment.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and charge distributions
  • Familiarity with the concept of charge per unit length (λ)
  • Knowledge of the constants ε0 (permittivity of free space)
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations for physics problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the formula E = λ / (2 * π * ε0 * r)
  • Learn how to calculate charge per unit length (λ) for different geometries
  • Explore the implications of electric fields generated by line charges
  • Review related topics such as Gauss's Law and its applications to charge distributions
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Students in physics, electrical engineering professionals, and anyone interested in understanding electric fields and charge distributions in line charges.

Aserap
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HELP! Charge for an electric field

The electric field 0.375 {\rm m} from a very long uniform line of charge is 830 {\rm N/C}.

How much charge is contained in a section of the line of length 1.70 {\rm cm}?

I started doing this problem, and though it was the right approach, but then i continually get the wrong answer, i have two more tries left. this is what i did:

I used the equation:
E = q/ 4*pi*E0*r^{}2
and plugged in the electric field number given, with the known length of the line to get the charge of the particle... which came out to 1.30x10^-8 and from my own assumptions i thought regardless of what r is the charge should be the same, but it doesn't work. Can someone please help!
 
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wrong formula

Aserap said:
I used the equation:
E = q/ 4*pi*E0*r^{}2
That formula describes the electric field from a point charge. You want a formula describing the field from a line charge.
 


i used this equation as the line charge
E= q/ 2*pi*Eo*r
at least this is the only one that i found, it not labeled in the book.
i used 830 for E and .017 for r and solved for q... i got 7.85x10^-10.
This isn't right. i was thinking could r be .375- .017 or something of that nature. i only have one more try to get this answer correct, and i feel so close but i keep getting wrong answers.
 


Aserap said:
i used this equation as the line charge
E= q/ 2*pi*Eo*r
That equation isn't quite right. Instead of q, you should have \lambda, which is the charge per unit length. Read this: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/electric/elecyl.html#c1".

Once you figure out the charge per unit length, you can calculate the charge in that segment of the line.
 
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