Electric field due to a line charge, surface area

In summary, an electric field due to a line charge is a physical quantity that describes the force exerted on a charged particle by an electric field created by a line charge. It is calculated using the formula E = kλ/r, where k is the Coulomb constant, λ is the charge per unit length of the line charge, and r is the distance from the line charge. The surface area does not directly affect the electric field, but it can result in a weaker field if it is larger. The direction of the electric field is always radial, pointing away from a positively charged line charge and towards a negatively charged line charge. The electric field due to a line charge can be negative if the line charge is negatively charged, indicating that the
  • #1
th3plan
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Homework Statement


A charge distributed uniformly over 1 face of the circular disk, find the surface charge density ?


well i know density for surface charge is S= charge/area, the area for face of 1 circular disk is what ? 2pir ?
 
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  • #2
area of a circle is pi*r^2
what u have is the circumference
 
  • #3


I would first clarify the problem by asking for more information. Are we assuming that the charge is distributed over the entire surface of the disk or just one side? Additionally, is the disk a solid object or a flat surface?

Assuming that the charge is distributed over the entire surface of the disk and that it is a flat surface, the surface area would be the area of a circle, which is πr^2, where r is the radius of the disk.

To find the surface charge density, we can use the equation S = Q/A, where S is the surface charge density, Q is the total charge, and A is the surface area. We know that the charge is distributed uniformly, so we can rewrite the equation as S = Q/(πr^2).

However, since we are given that the charge is distributed over only one face of the disk, we need to take into account the area of that face. If the disk is a solid object, then the area of one face would be πr^2/2. If the disk is a flat surface, then the area of one face would be πr^2.

Therefore, the surface charge density would be either S = 2Q/πr^2 or S = Q/πr^2, depending on whether the disk is a solid object or a flat surface.

I would also mention that in order to fully understand the electric field due to a line charge and its relationship to surface charge density, we would need to consider the dimensions and orientation of the line charge as well. This problem only provides one component of the equation and more information would be needed for a complete analysis.
 

Related to Electric field due to a line charge, surface area

1. What is an electric field due to a line charge?

An electric field due to a line charge is a physical quantity that describes the strength and direction of the force exerted on a charged particle by an electric field created by a line charge.

2. How is the electric field due to a line charge calculated?

The electric field due to a line charge is calculated using the formula E = kλ/r, where k is the Coulomb constant, λ is the charge per unit length of the line charge, and r is the distance from the line charge.

3. How does the surface area affect the electric field due to a line charge?

The surface area does not directly affect the electric field due to a line charge. However, the electric field lines will spread out more in a larger surface area, resulting in a weaker electric field.

4. What is the direction of the electric field due to a line charge?

The direction of the electric field due to a line charge is always radial, pointing away from the line charge if it is positively charged and towards the line charge if it is negatively charged.

5. Can the electric field due to a line charge be negative?

Yes, the electric field due to a line charge can be negative if the line charge is negatively charged. This indicates that the direction of the electric field is towards the line charge.

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