# Homework Help: Work on charge from outside to inside of sphere

1. Sep 27, 2013

### origamipro

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A solid non-conducting sphere of radius R = 1.12m.
The sphere posses a total charge Qtot spread uniformally throughout its volume.

a) derive equations for electric field for
1) 0<r<R
2) r>R
result in terms of r R and Q

b) Derive an equation that gives the work needed for you to bring a point charge "q" from infinitely far away to inside the sphere at r = R/2

Answer is W = 11/8 (kQ/R) q

2. Relevant equations

for 0<r<R
E1 = KQR/r^3

for r>R
E2 = KQ/R^2

3. The attempt at a solution

q∫KQR/r^3 + q∫KQ/R^2

2. Sep 27, 2013

### collinsmark

Something doesn't look right with the above equation for E1. If you show your work we might be able to help figure out what went wrong. (It looks to me as though you have a couple of variables switched around.)

Okay, E2 looks like the same problem. Are you accidentally swapping the r and R?

Of course you'll need to make corrections to the terms under the integrals, since they're not quite right. Also, they are path integrals, so you'll need to define the paths. (Start at infinity and go to R, then go from R to R/2).

Also, keep in mind that
$$W = \int_P \vec F \cdot \vec{dl}$$
is the work done by the sytem, --the work done by the force -- meaning the work is positive if the force and the direction of the path is in the same direction. On the other hand, the problem statement here asks you to determine the work done on the system, by moving the charge: the work done on the force. Because of that, there is a negative sign involved,
$$W = -\int_P \vec F \cdot \vec{dl}$$

3. Sep 27, 2013

### origamipro

After integration

Kq/R + KQ/R^3 (.4704)

KQ/R ( 1 + (1/R^2) (.4704))

4. Sep 27, 2013

### collinsmark

Sorry, but I don't quite follow what you're doing there.

You're adding one thing that has R in the denominator to another thing that has R3 in the denominator. The terms don't even have the same dimensions. I'm not sure where the .4704 comes from.

That is the correct answer, yes.