PHY113 - Introduction to Electromagnetism
Tutorial - V
DATE - 05/09/2024
We shall discuss first three problems tomorrow.
1. An infinite line charge runs parallel to the x-axis at a distance d from the xy plane, which is an infinite
grounded conductor as shown in the figure below.
(a) What is the potential in the region above the plane.
(b) Find the charge density σ induced on the conducting plane.
2. A sphere of radius R, centered at the origin, carries charge density ρ(r, θ) = k rR2 (R − 2r) sin θ, where k
is a constant, and r,θ are the usual spherical coordinates [see the figure below]. Find the approximate
potential for points r0 on the z axis, far from the sphere.
3. Let’s consider a spherical shell of radius R having a surface charge density σ = k cos θ.
(a) Calculate the dipole moment of this charge distribution.
(b) Find the approximate potential at points far from the sphere (r R)
4. Show that the electric field of a pure dipole field can be written in the coordinate-free from as
~ dip (~r) = 1 13 [3(~
E p.r̂)r̂ − p~]
4π0 r
5. Calculate the potential, up to two lowest orders in the multipole expansion, at a far-away point due to
the three-charge system shown in the figure below. Use the potential to calculate the electric field.
6. A ”pure” dipole p is situated at the origin, pointing in the z direction.
(a) What is the force on a point charge q at (a, 0, 0) (Cartesian coordinates)?
(b) What is the force on q at (0, 0, a)?
(c) How much work does it take to move q from (a, 0, 0) to (0, 0, a)?
