MAMS ACADEMY FOR CAREER EXCELLENCE

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

ES4(a)
Date: March 12, 2012

PHYSICS NOTES: Field and Potential due to charge distribution

In all the charge distribution, we consider the charge density is uniform (constant) at each point in the distribution. Also there are many point charges exist at all the points in the distribution to we use calculus(integration) to find the field and potential at a point due to charge distribution. For non uniform distribution we discuss for entrance level separately. Electric Field due to Line charge distribution on the axis of line Consider a linear Rod of Length L in which charge Q is uniformly distributed along its length. The linear Q charge density is = . L The point P is located at a distance r from the mid point of the Rod. So the point is at L L a distance r from right end and r + 2 2 from left end. You have to use formula for Field and potential due to point charge. We consider very small portion of the line charge of length dx at a distance x from Kdq the point P. The Field due to this portion at P is also very small and is dE such that dE = 2 rightwards. x Similarly, the field due to all other small portions is rightwards. So, now we can simply add these fields together. But the small charge portions are each and every point(continuous) on the line charge. So we use method of integration to find resultant filed.
r+

E = dE =

r r+

L 2

L 2

Kdq dq Now = the linear charge density as discussed earlier. Hence we have 2 dx x

E = dE =

L 2

L 2

L r+ 1 1 K dx 4K L 1 2 = K or = K we get E = 2 2 2 L L x 4r L x r L r + r 2 2 2
L then field is . 2

Note: If the point is at infinity than we have r = so Field is also zero. Also if r = Electric Potential due to Line charge distribution on the axis of line

Again considering the same point P The small potential dV due to portion dx is given by dV =
dV = K dx integrating both sides we get x
V r+

Kdq or x

dV =
0

L 2

L 2

L r+ K dx 2 or = K [ ln x ] L hence r x 2

L r+ L L 2 ) or V = K ln( 2r + L ) V = K ln(r + ) ln(r ) or V = K ln( L 2 2 2r L r 2

Field and Potential due to uniformly charged ring at a point on its axis: Consider a Ring of radius R whose plane lies in Y-Z plane and centre is at the origin. Now, Its axis along the X axis(passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane) The point P is located at a distance r from its centre on the X axis on the right side or origin. Charge +Q is uniformly distributed along the circumference of the ring with Linear Q charge density = . 2 R

Considering small portion of ring of length dl and carrying charge dq on the top most point. The field at P Kdq due to that portion is dE given by dE = 2 Now if you take diametrically opposite portion of same small r length dl the field is again dE but different directions. If you take vertical and horizontal components of these dE vectors we see that dE sin components cancel each other. So net field will be along the X axis rightwards and is due addition of components dE cos for all small portions. Kdq K dl x K xdl K xdl = = . Now, dq = dl So, Net field due to these two portions, dE cos = 2 cos = 2 3 r r r r ( R 2 + x 2 )3 The resultant field at the point P is found using integration of the dE cos component for the whole ring. So 2 R 2 R 2 R K xdl K xdl K x K x 2 R = dl or ENET = ENET = , or ENET = [l ]0 or 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 ( R +x ) 0 ( R +x ) 0 ( R +x ) 0 ( R +x ) 2 K Rx K x 2 K Rx ENET = [ 2 R 0] or ENET = 2 2 3 or ENET = 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 ( R +x ) ( R +x ) (R + x ) Note: The different cases depending on the location of point are 1. If the point is located at the centre of the ring then x=0 for field E=0. 2. If the point is very near the centre of the ring i.e. x<<R we have R>>x and R 2 >> x 2 so R 2 x 2 R 2 So 2 K Rx 2 K x or ENET = ENET = 3 ( R) R2

. Have a Nice Day .