Finding the Electric Field at the Midpoint of two rings

In summary, the electric field at the midpoint between the two charged rings is 2 * K (22nC)/0.1^2 = 395560 N/C.
  • #1
arileah
8
2

Homework Statement


Hello,

Two 10-cm-diameter charged rings face each other, 20 cm apart. The left ring is charged to -22 nC and the right ring is charged to +22 nC . What is the magnitude of the electric field E⃗ at the midpoint between the two rings?

Homework Equations


[/B]
E = Kq/r^2
K = 8.99 * 10^9

The Attempt at a Solution



Find the electric field at the midpoint caused by each individual plate, then using the principle of superposition to add them.

E(tot) = |E(1)| + |E(2)|

|E(1)| = K (22nC)/0.1^2
|E(2)| = K (22nc)/0.1^2

|E(1)| + |E(2)| = E {since E(1) and E(2) are the same}

E(tot) = E = 2 * K (22nC)/0.1^2 = 395560 N/C

However, the answer I got is wrong. I have also tried E = 0 N/C in case I was not supposed to take the magnitudes. This is also incorrect.

Could anyone lend me a hand?
 
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  • #2
arileah said:
K (22nC)/0.1^2
That would be the field 10cm from a point charge of 22nC.
The charge here is distributed around a ring (not a plate). At the centre of each ring there is no field induced by that ring since the fields due to the charges around the ring point in all directions through the centre and, by symmetry, cancel.
Consider a small portion of one ring, length rdθ, carrying charge q, where r is the ring's radius. And consider a point P distance x from the centre of the ring, along the axis of the ring. How far is P from the charge q? What is the strength of the field at P due to the charge q? In what direction does that field point?

Alternatively, you may have already been taught a formula for the axial field due to one ring, in which case all you have to do is double it for the second ring.
 
  • Like
Likes arileah
  • #3
Thank you! I got it now :)
 

Related to Finding the Electric Field at the Midpoint of two rings

1. How do you find the electric field at the midpoint of two rings?

To find the electric field at the midpoint of two rings, you can use the formula E = kq/r^2, where k is the Coulomb's constant, q is the charge of the ring, and r is the distance from the midpoint to the ring. You will need to calculate the electric field from each ring and then add them together to get the total electric field at the midpoint.

2. What is the significance of finding the electric field at the midpoint of two rings?

The electric field at the midpoint of two rings can help us understand the behavior of electric charges and how they interact with each other. It can also be used to determine the force experienced by a charged particle placed at the midpoint of the rings.

3. Can the electric field at the midpoint of two rings be zero?

Yes, it is possible for the electric field at the midpoint of two rings to be zero. This happens when the charges on the two rings are equal and opposite in sign, and the distance between the rings is such that their electric fields cancel out at the midpoint.

4. Is the electric field at the midpoint of two rings affected by the size of the rings?

Yes, the electric field at the midpoint of two rings is affected by the size of the rings. The larger the rings, the stronger the electric field will be at the midpoint. This is because the electric field is directly proportional to the charge and inversely proportional to the distance.

5. Can the electric field at the midpoint of two rings be negative?

Yes, the electric field at the midpoint of two rings can be negative. This happens when the charges on the rings are of the same sign, and the distance between the rings is such that their electric fields add up in the opposite direction at the midpoint. This can also occur when one ring has a significantly larger charge than the other.

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