What is the Surface Charge Density on a Long, Uniformly Charged Cylinder?

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SUMMARY

The surface charge density on a long, uniformly charged cylinder can be determined using Gauss's law and the relationship between electric field intensity and charge density. Given an electric field intensity of 100 kV/m at a radius of 1m from a cylinder with a radius of 5cm, the surface charge density can be calculated using the formula σ = Q/(2πRL). The displacement field D is defined as D = ε₀E, where ε₀ is the permittivity of free space. This approach effectively utilizes the principles of electrostatics to derive the necessary charge density.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with electric field intensity and displacement field concepts
  • Knowledge of surface charge density calculations
  • Basic principles of linear dielectrics
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  • Study the application of Gauss's Law for cylindrical symmetry
  • Learn about the relationship between electric field intensity and surface charge density
  • Explore the concept of bound surface charge in dielectric materials
  • Investigate the properties of electric fields around charged conductors
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Dan104
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Hi, I would appreciate is someone could help me figure out this problem:

The electric Field Intensity in free space from a very long, uniformly charged cylinder of radius 5cm is 100 kV/m at a radius of 1m. What must be the surface charge density on the cylinder?

I've tried using different equations, but the only one that seems to get me somewhere, yet nowhere is D = eoE. please, can someone help??
 
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Since you're using D, I'm guessing this is a linear dielectric problem, and you're looking for the bound surface charge. If that's right, just use the gauss law for D. Use D= \epsilon_0 E to get E in the vacuum outside the cylinder.

Edit:

and then use \sigma_b = P \cdot \hat n to get the bound charge.
 
Last edited:
I suggest you to use the Gauss' law for a portion L of the cylinder:

E \cdot 2 \pi r L=\frac{Q}{\epsilon_0}

and the definition of \sigma for your geometry

\sigma=\frac{Q}{2\pi R L}

(R - cylinder radius anr r - distance from the cylinder axis to the point where E is evaluated)
 

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