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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the charge contained in a section of a line with a specified electric field. The problem involves understanding the relationship between electric fields and charge distributions, specifically in the context of a line of charge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different equations for calculating electric fields, with some initially using the formula for point charges instead of line charges. There are attempts to apply the correct formula for line charges, but confusion remains regarding the variables involved, particularly the distance and charge per unit length.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various equations and questioning their assumptions about the setup. Some guidance has been offered regarding the correct formula for line charge, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express concern about the accuracy of their calculations and the implications of using incorrect formulas. There is also a mention of limited attempts remaining to solve the problem, indicating a sense of urgency in finding the correct answer.

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[tex]^{}2[/tex]
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[tex]^{}2[/tex]
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 [itex]\lambda[/itex], 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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