Charge density in cylinder with uniform charge

In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of the magnitude of the electric field at a distance r = R/2 from the axis of a non-conducting cylinder with a uniform charge density ρ. The Gauss law is used to determine the electric field, with one equation using the volume of the Gaussian surface and the other using the area of the surface. The correct answer is E = ρR/4ε0.
  • #1
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1. A charge density ρ (charge per unit volume) is distributed uniformly throughout a non-conducting cylinder of radius R. What is the magnitude of the electric field a distance r = R/2 from the cylinder's axis?

Homework Equations



E ∫dA = q(interior)/ε0[/B]3.

So I tried doing EA = (ρA)(v/V)/ε0 where v is the volume of the Gaussian surface and V is the volume of the cylinder

E = (ρ*(πR^2L/4πR^2L))/ε0
E = ρ/4ε0

However the answer is supposed to be E = ρR/4ε0

I'm not sure where I'm going wrong
 
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  • #2
Check Gauss law once more: one is a volume (to determine q(interior) ) and the other is an area (of the surface).
 

Related to Charge density in cylinder with uniform charge

1. What is charge density in a cylinder with uniform charge?

Charge density in a cylinder with uniform charge refers to the amount of electric charge per unit volume within a cylinder that has a uniform distribution of charge. It is usually denoted by the symbol ρ (rho) and has the unit of coulombs per cubic meter (C/m³).

2. How is charge density calculated in a cylinder with uniform charge?

The charge density in a cylinder with uniform charge can be calculated using the formula ρ = Q/V, where Q is the total charge within the cylinder and V is the volume of the cylinder. This assumes that the charge is evenly distributed throughout the cylinder.

3. What factors affect the charge density in a cylinder with uniform charge?

The charge density in a cylinder with uniform charge is affected by two main factors: the amount of charge and the volume of the cylinder. Increasing the amount of charge while keeping the volume constant will result in a higher charge density, while increasing the volume while keeping the charge constant will result in a lower charge density.

4. What is the significance of charge density in a cylinder with uniform charge?

Charge density is an important concept in understanding the electric field within a cylinder with uniform charge. It helps determine the strength and direction of the electric field at any point within the cylinder. Additionally, charge density is also important in studying the behavior of electric current and capacitance in the cylinder.

5. How does charge density in a cylinder with uniform charge relate to Gauss's Law?

According to Gauss's Law, the electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge enclosed by that surface. In a cylinder with uniform charge, the charge density can be used to calculate the total charge within the cylinder, which can then be used to find the electric flux through the surface of the cylinder. This relationship is useful in solving problems involving electric fields and charges in cylindrical systems.

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