Electric Fields II: Electric Fields Are Produced by Point Charges and Continuous Charge Distributions
Electric Fields II: Electric Fields Are Produced by Point Charges and Continuous Charge Distributions
q
F
y
a a
x
B : (0,y)
A : (x,0)
-q +q
Dipole solution:
For fun: find E at point A, and show that it is
approximately proportional to x
-3
, at large distances x.
E = ?
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Source
+
Continuous Charge Distributions
Cut source into small (infinitesimal) charges dq
Each produces
2
( )
e
dq
dE k
r
r
dE
r
dq
2
e
dq
dE k
r
or
Steps:
Draw a coordinate system on the diagram
Choose an integration variable (e.g., x)
Draw an infinitesimal element dx
Write r and any other variables in terms of x
Write dq in terms of dx
Put limits on the integral
Do the integral or look it up in tables.
Example: Uniformly-Charged Thin Rod
(length L, total charge Q)
L
d
? E
Solution:
In 2D problems, integrate components separately
to obtain the electric field:
) (cos
2
r
dq
k dE E
x x
x-component of
E
.......
y y
dE E
Example: Uniformly-Charged Ring
Total charge Q, uniform charge/unit length,
radius R
Find: E at any point (x, 0)
x
y
(x,0)
R
Solution:
Example: Uniformly-Charged Semicircle
Charge/unit length, , is uniform
Find: at origin E
R
y
x
+
+ +
+
Solution:
Summary
Field of several point charges q
i
:
Field of continuous charge distribution:
i
i
i
i
e
r
r
q
k E
2
2
cos( )
sin( )
x e
y e
dq
E k
r
dq
E k
r