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2.2.2 Ring of Charge

Ring of Charge θ
θ
Consider a uniformly charged thin insulating ring with a total Solution
charge Q and radius a. Find the electric field at point P, located
some distance x along the axis of the ring. An elemental portion of the ring with charge dQ, will produce an
electric field dE at point P;
k dQ
dE =
r2
Consider symmetry:
On resolving dE into dEx and dEy and summing around the ring,
θ
θ
∫ dE y = 0, or E y = 0; ⇒ E = ∫ dE x

k dQ x
But : dEx = dE cosθ = cosθ , and cosθ =
r2 r

Ring of Charge Ring of Charge

θ
k dQ x k x k xQ 1 xQ
⇒ dEx = 2 = dQ θ
i.e. E = iˆ = iˆ **
r r r3 (a 2
+ x2 )
3/ 2
(
4π ε o a 2 + x 2 )
3/ 2

But, from the diagram:

r 2 = a2 + x2 ⇒ r = a2 + x2 ( )
1/ 2
⇒ r 3 = a2 + x2 ( )3/ 2 Special Cases
(i) When x = 0, E = 0 since the radial electric field lines from
kx kx the ring cancel out at the centre.
∴ dEx = 3 dQ = dQ
r a2 + x2 ( )
3/2
(ii) When x >> a (“Far-field”);
On summing over the ring; a, x, k are constants, so that
k xQ k xQ k Q 1 Q
E≅ = = 2 =
E = ∫ dE x =
kx
∫ dQ =
k xQ
(x )2 3/ 2 x3 x 4π ε o x 2
(a 2
+ x2 )
3/ 2
(a 2
+ x2 )
3/ 2

k xQ 1 xQ Compare with: E = kQ2 = Q

for isolated Q.
i.e. E = iˆ = iˆ E-field along the axis r 4πε o r 2
(a 2
+x )
2 3/ 2
(
4π ε o a 2 + x )
2 3/ 2 of a ring of charge

2.2.3 Uniformly Charged Thin Uniformly Charged Thin non-conducting Disk

non-conducting Disk
Solution
The treatment of the problem follows that
of a uniformly charged ring, i.e. consider
σ
Calculate the electric field a disk to be composed of a set of
at point P, along the axis concentric rings (of radius r and width dr).
of a disk of radius R.
From the previous example, the electric field due to a ring of charge
along its x-axis is:
k xQ
σ Ex =
(
a2 + x2 )
3 / 2 where “a” is the radius of the ring.

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Uniformly Charged Thin non-conducting Disk Uniformly Charged Thin non-conducting Disk
Summing over all the concentric rings
From the portion of the disk shown, a thin starting at r = 0 out to the largest with r = R,
ring of total charge dQ will produce an R
electric field at point P given by r dr
Ez = ∫ dEz = 2kπσ z ∫
dE z =
k z dQ 0 (r 2
+ z2 ) 3/ 2

σ
r + z2
2 3/ 2
( ) σ
Using Standard integral:
x dx 1
A ring of radius r and width dr has an area ∫ (x 2
+ a2 ) 3/ 2
=−
x2 + a2
dA = ( 2π r ) ( dr )
dQ dQ   
R

0
⇒ σ= = and dQ = (2π r dr)σ
E z = (2kπσ z ) −  = (2kπσ z ) + 2
1 1
dA (2π r dr ) 
 r 2 + z 2 0  r + z2 R
k z dQ k z (2π σ r dr )
Thus: dE z = =
(r 2
+ z2 )3/ 2
(r 2
+ z2 )
3/ 2

Uniformly Charged Thin non-conducting Disk 2.2.4 Uniformly Charged non-conducting

Cylindrical shell
r 1 1 
E = = 2k π σ z  −  ˆj A cylindrical shell
 z R2 + z2 ( )
1/ 2
 σ
(hollow cylinder)
can be considered
to be composed
r  z  σ  z  of a stack of rings
E = 2k π σ 1 −  ˆj = 1 − 2 2  ˆj ***
 R + z2
2
( )1/ 2
 2ε o 
 R +z ( ) 1/ 2

(each of thickness
dx, say). (**)
[E-field along the axis of a uniformly charged disk] Consider a uniformly charged cylindrical shell having total charge Q,
radius R and height h. Find the electric field due to the cylinder at
Special Case: some point P along its axis, a distance d from the end of the cylinder.
If the radius of the disk is greater than the distance of point P from disk (R>>z)
r σ r k Q  1 1 
i.e. Show that: E P = −  iˆ
E≅ 
( ) [(d + h ) + R ]
ˆj [E-field near an infinite plane of charge] 1/ 2 2 1/ 2
2ε o h  d 2 + R2 2



Uniformly Charged non-conducting Cylindrical shell Uniformly Charged non-conducting Cylindrical shell
Solution Therefore, the total electric field at point P
Recall from earlier example that the electric due to the whole cylindrical shell is
field due to a ring of charge along its axis is:
k xQ d +h d +h
Ex =
(x )
where “a” is the radius of the ring. k Q x dx kQ x dx
+ a2
3/ 2 E = ∫ dE = ∫ h(x = ∫ (x
) )
2
2 3/ 2 3/ 2
d
2
+R h d
2
+ R2
x=d + h
− k Q  
For a ring of thickness dx (cut out of a shell of height h) the − kQ  1  1 1
= = −
elemental charge is
Q dx
h
h  ( x 2 + R 2 )1/ 2  x = d

[
h  (d + h )2 + R 2 ]
1/ 2
(d 2
+R )
2 1/ 2



Thus the magnitude of the electric field dE due to this ring is given by
r k Q  1 1 
EP = −  iˆ

[(d + h ) + R ]
kx Q dx
dE = h  d 2 + R2( )
1/ 2 2 1/ 2

(x ) 
2
3/ 2 
2
+ R2 h
[E-field along the axis of a uniformly charged cylindrical shell]

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2.2.5 Uniformly Charged non-conducting Uniformly Charged non-conducting Solid Cylinder

Solid Cylinder We already know from a previous example that the electric field
Consider a situation where the cylinder in the previous example along the axis of a disk is given by
was a solid one, and has the same dimensions. Determine the r  x 
E x = 2πσ k 1 −  iˆ
electric field at point P, still along the axis of the (solid) cylinder.
 (
R 2 + x2 )1/ 2

Solution
A solid cylinder can be considered to be composed of Thus, in the present case, an elemental disk cut out from a solid
cylinder, will produce an electric field
a stack of disks (***) each with width dx and charge Q dx
h
charge Q dx r 2π k Q dx  x 
The surface charge density for each disk is σ = = dE x = 1 − 2 2
h (π R 2 )
 iˆ
area π R 2 h  R +x ( )
1/ 2


P 2
r
Show that now: E = 2k Q h + R2 + d 2
Rh
{ ( ) − [R + (d + h) ]
1/ 2 2 2 1/ 2
}iˆ

Uniformly Charged non-conducting Solid Cylinder

Φ E) and Gauss’s Law
3.0 Electric Flux (Φ
Hence the total electric field due to the solid cylinder, at point P

∫ E.dA = Φ (net electric flux)

is given by
E
d +h
2k Q dx   2kQ d + h d +h
x x dx 
E = ∫ dE = ∫ 1 − 2 2 1/ 2 
= 2  ∫ dx − ∫ 1/ 2  Q
( ) ( )
∫ E .dA = ε (Gauss' s Law)
d
R 2 h  R +x  R h  d d R2 + x2  encl

[( ] { }
o
=
2kQ  d + h
[x ]d − R + x
R 2h 
2 2
) 1/ 2 d + h
d 
 R2 h
[
 = 2k Q (d + h − d ) − R 2 + (d + h )2 ] + (R
1/ 2 2
+d2 )1/ 2

Note:

i.e.
r 2kQ
{
EP = 2 h + R2 + d 2
Rh
( ) − [R + (d + h) ]
1/ 2 2 2 1/ 2
}iˆ The dot-product (E.dA) picks out only the components E // dA,
since E.dA = E dA cosθ

when θ = 0o; E.dA = E dA
[E-field along the axis of a uniformly charged solid cylinder]
when θ = 90o; E.dA = 0

r r
We define electric field flux as follows:
? What is ∫ .dA
E
r r
Φ e = E. A Consider an isolated charge, Q.
Q
We already know the E-field for an isolated charge Q, E = rˆ
4π ε o r 2
E
dA
Choose a spherical surface
for dA (i.e a Gaussian sphere
E of radius r).
E
dA dA At any point along the
Gn. sphere around charge Q,
E//dA, so that E.dA = E dA
dA
E

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E r r
∫ E.dA = ∫ E.dA = E ∫ dA = E (4π r
dA
⇒ 2
) Gauss’s Law
 Q 
( ) ( )
r r
E E ⇒ ∫ E.dA = E 4π r 2 =   4π r 2
2 
Gauss’s law is very useful in calculating E in cases where
dA dA  4π ε o r  there is very strong symmetry in the charge distribution
r r Q (e.g. spherical or cylindrical surfaces).
i.e. : ∫ E.dA = (Gauss' s Law)
E dA εo
In applying Gauss’s law, look for symmetry; choose a
r r Q
∫ E.dA = One of MAXWELL’s Equations
εo
suitable Gaussian surface to minimize the integration
(e.g. E // dA or E ⊥ dA ).
Note that the dA vector always points outwards of the
Note: r volume ∫ encloses.
∫
Q is the total charge enclosed by the closed dA surface.
Gauss’s law is true for any surface enclosing the charge Q.

Gauss’s Law 3.1 Isolated Point Charge (a Converse problem)

E
dA
Suppose that all we knew was
Gauss’s Law, i.e.
r r Qencl
E
dA dA
E
∫ E.dA = εo
and we were asked to find E due
to an isolated charge q.
dA
E
We choose a suitable Gaussian
surface as a sphere around q,
then dA // E, so that E.dA = E dA
r r
∫ E.dA = ∫ E.dA = E ∫ dA = E (4π r
2
now: )

E
dA

Isolated Point Charge 3.2 Infinite line of Charge

E
r r E

∫ E.dA = ∫ E.dA = E ∫ dA = E (4π r )

2 dA dA
Use Gauss’s law to find
the electric field due to
dA
But Qencl = q E an infinite line of charge.
Solution
r r Q q
∫ E.dA = E (4π r ) = encl =
2
Choose a Gaussian surface to be a cylinder of length L, whose axis
εo εo is along the line of charge i.e. Qencl in the cylinder of length L is λL.
r Qencl
i.e.:
r
E=
q kq
rˆ = 2 rˆ Note that the direction of E is
∫ E.dA = εo
4πεo r2 r already determined from the start
⇒ ∫ E.dA = ∫ends;
E.dA + ∫ E.dA
1,3 curved surface

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Infinite line of Charge 3.3 Infinite plane of Charge

(i) at the ends (1 and 3)
r r r r
E ⊥ dA ∴ E .dA = E dAcos 90 o = 0
Use Gauss’s law to find the electric
(ii) on the curved sides (2) field due to an infinite plane of charge.
r r r r
E // dA ∴ E.dA = E dAcos0o = E dA
r
∴ ∫ E.dA = 0 + ∫ E dA = E ∫ dA = E (2π RL) Solution
r Q λL
i.e.: ∫ E.dA = E (2π RL ) = encl = A suitable Gaussian surface is chosen to be
εo εo a small “pill-box” of radius r cut out of
r λL 1 λ λ the plane of charge.
E= = = rˆ same as before Gauss’s Law !!!
ε o 2π RL 2π ε o R 2πε o r

Infinite plane of Charge Infinite plane of Charge

E
II + dA
E
A cross-section of the Gaussian surface r  
∫ E.dA = ∫ E dA + 0 + ∫ E dA + 0 = 2 ∫ E dA = 2E ∫ dA
+
+ is shown in the diagram showing the I
+ dA
I + four sides that comprise the closed surface. I III I
E + E
+ III
r r r r r

∫ E.dA = 2E (π r ) =
dA
∫ E.dA = ∫ E.dA + ∫ E.dA + ∫ E.dA + ∫ E.dA
+
+ r Qencl
E +
E ⇒ 2

εo
+ I II III IV
IV
dA

(i) at sides (II) and (IV): E ⊥ dA ∴ E .dA = E dA cos 90 o = 0

σ
∴ E= Qencl
=
(i) at sides (I) and (III): E // dA ∴ E.dA = E dAcos0o = E dA ( )
2 π r2 εo 2ε o
E-field due to an infinite plane of charge

 
⇒ ∫ E.dA = ∫ E dA + 0 + ∫ E dA + 0 = 2 ∫ E dA  = 2E ∫ dA
I III I
I

3.4 Uniform Spherical Charge distribution Uniform Spherical Charge

(non-conducting sphere) (i) Inside the sphere (r < a): use Gn. sphere (I)
Charge enclosed by Gn. sphere (I) is
Use Gauss’s law to find the
4 
electric field due to a uniformly Qencl = ρ × vol. of Gn. sph. (I) = ρ  π r 3 
charged sphere of radius a. 3 
4 3 
Solution  πr ρ 
(  = 4π r ρ
)
3
⇒ ∫ E.dA = E 4π r = 
A suitable Gaussian surface is 32

a sphere of radius r. εo 3ε o
There are two cases of interest:  
electric field inside and outside rρ  r  Q  Qr
the sphere. i.e.: Einside = =   =
3ε o  3ε o  4 π a 3  4π ε o a 3 Note: Einside ∝ r
 
3 

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Uniform Spherical Charge

(ii) Outside the sphere (r > a): use Gn sphere (II)
3.5 Hollow Insulating Spheres

Charge enclosed by Gn sphere (II) is

(i) Thin Spherical Shell
Qencl = Q
Use Gauss’s law to find the electric
⇒ ∫ E.dA = E 4π r =
2
( ) Q
εo
field due to a thin non-conducting
spherical shell of radius R.
Q Note: E outside ∝ 1 / r
2
i.e.: Eoutside = Solution
4π ε o r 2
At any point, a suitable Gaussian
E
surface is a sphere of radius r.
There are two cases of interest:
The schematic diagram summarizes E ∝r E ∝ 1/ r 2 electric field inside and outside
the variation of E with r for a solid the spherical shell.
non-conducting sphere of radius a.

Thin Spherical Shell Thin Spherical Shell

(a) Inside the shell (r < R): use Gn sphere (I)
Charge enclosed by Gn sphere (I) is Einside = 0
Qencl = 0
Q
Eoutside =
⇒ ∫ E.dA = E (4π r 2 ) = encl = 0
Q
4π ε o r 2
εo
∴ Einside = 0
E
(b) Outside the shell (r > R): use Gn sphere (II)
Charge enclosed by Gn sphere (II) is Qencl = Q
The schematic diagram shows
= E (4π r 2 ) =
Q E=0 E ∝ 1/ r 2
∫ E.dA
the variation of with r for a thin
⇒
εo non-conducting spherical shell
of radius R.
Q
∴ Eoutside = 4π ε r 2 Note: Eoutside ∝ 1/r2
o

(ii) Thick Spherical Shell Thick Spherical Shell

(a) Inside the shell (r < a): use Gn sphere (I)

Use Gauss’s law to find the electric Charge enclosed by Gn sphere (I) is zero
field due to a thick non-conducting Qencl = 0

⇒ ∫ E.dA = E (4π r 2 ) = encl = 0

spherical shell with inner radius a Q
and outer radius b. εo
Solution ∴ Einside = 0
At any point, a suitable Gaussian (b) Between the walls of the shell (a < r < b): use Gn sphere (II)
surface is a sphere of radius r.
There are three cases of interest:
4
(
Qencl = ρ × vol. of Gn. sph. (II) = ρ  π r 3 − a 3 

)
electric field inside, between the walls 3 
4 3 
and outside the spherical shell.  π ρ (r 3
− a ) 
( )
r r
⇒ ∫ E.dA = E 4π r 2 = encl =  
Q 3
εo εo

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Thick Spherical Shell Thick Spherical Shell

(b) in between...... (c) outside the shell (Qencl = Q)

4 3 
 π ρ (r − a ) 
( )
3
Q
( ) = E 4π r 2 =
r r
∫ E.dA = E 4π r 2 =
Qencl
εo
=
3
εo
 ⇒ ∫ E.dA εo
Q
ρ  r 3 − a3  ∴ Eoutside =
=  
Note: since a is a constant 4π ε o r 2 E
∴ Ebetween
3ε o  r 2  r3
Ebetween ∝ Ebetween ∝ r
r2 The schematic diagram
shows the variation of E E∝r
(c) Outside the shell (r > b): use Gn sphere (III) with r for a thick non- E=0 E ∝ 1/ r 2
Charge enclosed by Gn sphere (III) is conducting spherical
Qencl = Qtotal = Q shell of radii a and b.