Engineering Physics

Dr. Rajesh Cheruku

​ ssistant Professor
A
Department of Physics
Central University of Karnataka
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Electric Field Intensity
According to Coulombs law
𝑄 𝑄𝑡
F= πε
4 𝑟2
ar
Electric Field Intensity is
𝑄
E=F/ 𝑄𝑡 = 4π ε 𝑟 ar 2

If we take 𝑄𝑡 is very small

𝑄
Then E= 4πε 𝑟 ar N/C or V/M
2

2
 Electric field (E) Vs. Distance (x)

E +ve then direction is outwards E –ve then direction is outwards

+ve -ve

3
As x ∞ then E 0 1
Here, Eα
q is +ve then E is +ve in I quadrant 𝑟2
q is +ve then E is -ve in III quadrant

+E

-x
+q +x

-E

4
Here,
q is -ve then E is -ve in IV quadrant
q is -ve then E is +ve in II quadrant

+E

+x
-x -q

-E

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 Two symmetric test +ve charges

+E
+E

-x E=0
+q +q +x

-E -E

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 Two symmetric +ve and –ve test charges

+E
+E

-x E≠0
+q -q +x

-E -E

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 Two symmetric test –ve charges

+E
+E

-x E=0
-q -q +x

-E -E

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Problems

Question 1
A point charge P placed at distance “a” from a uniform charge distributed rod
having total charge “Q” and the length “L”. Then find the net electric field
exerted on P.

dx x
Q a
dQ
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ p

L
a+L

dE=K dQ/x2

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 𝑎+𝐿
E net= ‫𝑄𝑑𝐾 𝑎׬=𝐸𝑑 ׬‬/𝑥2

Linear density ρL =Constant=Q/x

Therefore,
dQ/dx= ρL
dQ= ρL dx

𝑎+𝐿
E net= ‫ 𝑎׬=𝐸𝑑 ׬‬K ρL dx /𝑥2

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E net = KρL [-1/x]𝑎+𝐿
𝑎

1 1
E net = -K ρL [ - ]
𝑎+𝐿 𝑎

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Q2 A semi circular having radius R and the charge +Q is uniformly distributed along the wire. Find
the net electric field at the origin of the semi circle.

dL

R dθ

R θ
O
dE cosθ θ

dE
dE sinθ
dE cosθ will be cancel for each element due to mirror component
Therfore, Enet= ‫ ׬‬dE sinθ
dE=K dQ/R2
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 Enet= ‫ ׬‬K sinθ dQ/R2
Linear charge density of dQ is ρL =Constant=dQ/dL

Hence, dQ= ρL dL

Here, Total Length of the arc is =πR and total charge density is ρL =Constant=Q/πR
From the figure, dθ =dL/R

Therefore, dL=R dθ and then

dQ= ρL R dθ
Therefore,

E net= ‫=𝐸𝑑 ׬‬K‫ ׬‬sinθ ρL R dθ/𝑅2

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 π
E net = ‫=𝐸𝑑 ׬‬K ρL/R ‫ ׬‬sinθ dθ

π
= K ρL/R -cosθ]0

E net = 2K ρL/R

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Q3 A Quad having radius R and the charge +Q is uniformly distributed along
the wire. Find the net electric field at the origin of the semi circle.
dL

dθ
R

O θ
dE cosθ θ

dE
dE sinθ

Ex= dE cosθ and Ey= dE sinθ

Enet= 𝐸𝑥2 + 𝐸𝑦2

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Linear charge density of dQ is ρL =Constant=dQ/dL
Hence, dQ= ρL dL
Here,
Total Length of the arc is =πR and total charge density is ρL
=Constant=2Q/πR

From the figure, dθ =dL/R

Therefore, dL=R dθ and then

dQ= ρL R dθ

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Ex= ‫ 𝐸𝑑 ׬‬x=K‫ ׬‬ρLcosθ R dθ/𝑅2

Ey= ‫ 𝐸𝑑 ׬‬y=K‫ ׬‬ρLsinθ R dθ/𝑅2

Ex=K ρL /R

Ey=K ρL /R
Enet= 𝐸𝑥2 + 𝐸𝑦2
Enet= 2 K ρL /R

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Question 4
A uniformed charged ring having the charge Q and radius R. A point
charge placed at a distance x from the ring. Find the distance where
the is Enet maximum. Also find the Enet maximum value and draw the
graph between Enet vs. x.

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Electric field on the axis of charge ring

dQ
r
R
dE cosθ
θ
Q P
O θ
x
dE
dE sinθ

Enet=‫𝑠𝑜𝑐 𝐸𝑑 ׬‬θ
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 dE=K dQ/r2
Here,
R is constant
r is constant
θ is constant
Enet=‫𝑠𝑜𝑐 𝐸𝑑 ׬‬θ
= ‫𝑠𝑜𝑐 ׬‬θ K dQ/r2
= (cosθ K/r2) ‫𝑄𝑑 ׬‬
=Q cosθ K/r2

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 cosθ=x/r

Enet=Q cosθ K/r2

Enet =Q x K/r3

Here, r2=R2+x2
Therefore,

Enet =Q x K/(R2+x2 )3/2

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➢If x=0 that means point in the center of the charged ring
Then Enet = 0

➢If x>> R then R2+x2 = x2

then Enet = KQ/x2

➢If x ∞ then Enet = 0

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