The discussion revolves around the application of Gauss's law to determine the electric field around a long straight metal rod with a specified charge per unit length. Participants are exploring the implications of the rod being a conductor versus an insulator.
Several participants have provided insights into the nature of electric fields in conductors versus insulators. There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions related to the charge distribution and the applicability of certain equations to different types of materials. No explicit consensus has been reached, but productive lines of questioning are evident.
Participants are considering the implications of the problem setup, particularly the distinction between a metal rod and an insulating rod, which affects the electric field calculations. The discussion includes references to specific equations and their relevance to different scenarios.
Mandeep Deka said:I am assuming that, what you wrote as, "the electric field a) 3.00cm" means "the electric field at 3.00cm from the center of the wire"
Answer to this question first: If you have a conducting sphere, carrying a charge say Q, than what is the electric field at a point inside it??
flyingpig said:k\frac{q}{a^3}r for a < r
graphene said:it is a metal rod. so all the charge would reside on the surface only, none can stay in the bulk.
so the field inside the rod is zero.
flyingpig said:So, but a metal sphere can too? Isn't that what my equation is?
Oh wait, I think I get it. The key here is that my equation is for an insulating sphere, not a conducting one. Hence.
cupid.callin said:Yes now you're right
cupid.callin said:i can't get you
flyingpig said:k\frac{q}{a^3}r for a < r
flyingpig said:k\frac{q}{a^3}r for r<a