Electric field of a point charge inside a sphere

In summary, the conversation discusses a charged sphere with a spherically symmetric charge density and its properties. Part (a) asks for the charge contained in a spherical shell and inside the sphere, as well as the magnitude of the electric field inside the sphere using Gauss's law. Part (b) involves adding a point charge inside the sphere and calculating the electric field at a specific point using the superposition principle.
  • #1
melodyyyylwy
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0

Homework Statement



(a)Consider a charged sphere of radius R centred at the origin with the spherically symmetric charge density ρ(r) = ρ0(r4/R4) where ρ0 is a constant and r is the radial coordinate.
Find the charge dQ0 contained in a spherical shell of radius r0 < R and infinitesimal thickness dr0.
Hence find the charge Q(r) contained inside the sphere as a function of
r < R.
Using Gauss’s law in integral form, determine the magnitude of the radial electric field Er(r) inside the sphere as a function of r < R.
Using the fact that [itex]\underline{∇}[/itex][itex]\cdot[/itex]E(r) = [itex]\frac{1}{r^2}[/itex][itex]\frac{∂}{∂r}[/itex](r2Er(r)) in this case, verify Gauss’s law in
differential form at a general point inside the sphere.

(b) A positive point charge Q is added to a point P0 with position vector R0 with components (1, 1, 1) inside a sphere with the same charge density as in part
(a) apart from the charge Q. Calculate the vector electric field E(r) at a point
P with position vector r with components (1, 2, 1) inside the sphere in terms
of the unit vectors [itex]\widehat{x}[/itex], [itex]\widehat{y}[/itex], [itex]\widehat{z}[/itex] and Q and Er (considered in part (a)).

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


i have done part b of the question already. i am just not quite sure how to deal with a point charge inside a sphere with charge density. Do i just add up the two field?
 
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  • #2
Superposition principle.
 

Related to Electric field of a point charge inside a sphere

1. What is the formula for the electric field of a point charge inside a sphere?

The electric field of a point charge inside a sphere is given by the formula E = kQr/R^3, where k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the magnitude of the point charge, r is the distance from the center of the sphere to the point charge, and R is the radius of the sphere.

2. How does the electric field inside a sphere vary with distance from the center?

The electric field inside a sphere varies inversely with the distance from the center. This means that as the distance from the center decreases, the electric field strength increases.

3. What happens to the electric field inside a sphere if the point charge is moved closer to the center?

If the point charge is moved closer to the center of the sphere, the electric field strength will increase. This is because the distance from the center decreases, causing the electric field to become more concentrated.

4. Can the electric field inside a sphere ever be zero?

Yes, the electric field inside a sphere can be zero. This occurs when the point charge is located at the center of the sphere, as the distance from the center is zero, resulting in a zero electric field.

5. Is the electric field inside a sphere affected by the material of the sphere?

No, the electric field inside a sphere is not affected by the material of the sphere. The electric field is only dependent on the distance from the center and the magnitude of the point charge, not the properties of the medium it is passing through.

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