Lecture 10.

E-field of a dipole.
E-field of continuous charge distribution.
E-field of a charged ring.
E-field of a charged rod.
Electric field lines.
Force and torque on electric dipole (if time permits).
 +𝑞𝑞1
Last Time:
−𝑞𝑞2

• The two charges 𝑞𝑞1 𝑞𝑞1

• Charge 𝑞𝑞1 creates electric field 𝐸𝐸(𝑟𝑟) = 𝑘𝑘 2 𝑢𝑢𝑟𝑟
and 𝑞𝑞2 exert electric
everywhere in space (source): 𝑟𝑟
force on each other:
𝑞𝑞1 𝑞𝑞2
𝐹𝐹(𝑟𝑟) = 𝑘𝑘 2 • Charge 𝑞𝑞2 (test) experiences electric force: 𝐹𝐹⃗ = 𝑞𝑞2 𝐸𝐸
𝑟𝑟
(magnitude)
• Hence, we can ask two types of questions:

 What is the electric field created by a given (source) charge distribution?

 What happens with a (test) charge in a given electric field?

Electric field vs electric force
2𝑞𝑞 𝑞𝑞

Q: What is correct?
Charge 1 Charge 2

a) A. 𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 > 𝐹𝐹2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 b) A. 𝐸𝐸1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 > 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1

B. 𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 < 𝐹𝐹2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 B. 𝐸𝐸1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 < 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1
C. 𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 = 𝐹𝐹2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 C. 𝐸𝐸1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 = 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1
Electric field vs electric force
2𝑞𝑞 𝑞𝑞

Q: What is correct?
Charge 1 Charge 2

a) A. 𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 > 𝐹𝐹2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 b) A. 𝐸𝐸1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 > 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1

B. 𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 < 𝐹𝐹2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 B. 𝐸𝐸1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 < 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1
C. 𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 = 𝐹𝐹2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 C. 𝐸𝐸1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 = 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1

(2𝑞𝑞)(𝑞𝑞) (2𝑞𝑞)
𝐹𝐹1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 = 𝑘𝑘 𝐸𝐸1 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 = 𝑘𝑘
𝑟𝑟 2 Newton’s 𝑟𝑟 2 Larger sources
3rd law !!! create larger
(𝑞𝑞)(2𝑞𝑞) (𝑞𝑞)
𝐹𝐹2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 = 𝑘𝑘 𝐸𝐸2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1 = 𝑘𝑘 2 E field
𝑟𝑟 2 𝑟𝑟
Q: The arrows show electric field due to some distribution of source charges (not shown).
Draw the electric forces acting on these two test charges, positive and negative.
Note: the two charges do NOT exert forces on each other, we are interested in the force that
each of them experiences in the E-field.

a) b)
𝐸𝐸 𝐸𝐸

A. →, →
B. →, ←
C. ←, →
D. ←, ←
By the way, it’s what we call uniform electric field
E. None of the above (same at all points)
Q: The arrows show electric field due to some distribution of source charges (not shown).
Draw the electric forces acting on these two test charges, positive and negative.
Note: the two charges do NOT exert forces on each other, we are interested in the force that
each of them experiences in the E-field.

a) b)
𝐸𝐸 𝐸𝐸

A. →, →
B. →, ←
C. ←, →
D. ←, ←
E. None of the above 𝐹𝐹⃗ = 𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 𝐸𝐸 ≡ 𝑞𝑞± 𝐸𝐸
Electric field of a dipole Q: Find electric field of a dipole at a point at a
𝑦𝑦 distance 𝑥𝑥 from it, on the x-axis (see picture)
Point at y-axis: See 21.14 from textbook
+𝑞𝑞
P • Strategy: We will use superposition principle
𝑠𝑠 𝑥𝑥 => will add two fields, 𝐸𝐸1 and 𝐸𝐸2 , as vectors
𝑥𝑥
• “As vectors” means “in components”!!!
−𝑞𝑞
• Draw 𝐸𝐸1 and 𝐸𝐸2 on the diagram. Find their components (write down their
magnitudes, then project).
• Find the components of the net field: 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 = 𝐸𝐸1𝑥𝑥 + 𝐸𝐸2𝑥𝑥 and 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 = 𝐸𝐸1𝑦𝑦 + 𝐸𝐸2𝑦𝑦 .
(Anything special that you can observe due to symmetry?)
• Then 𝐸𝐸 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 . Done!
• If interested in its magnitude: 𝐸𝐸 2 = 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥2 + 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦2
Electric field of a dipole 𝐸𝐸𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥 =?
𝑦𝑦
• Draw 𝐸𝐸1 and 𝐸𝐸2 . Find their components.
• Find 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 = 𝐸𝐸1𝑥𝑥 + 𝐸𝐸2𝑥𝑥 and 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 = 𝐸𝐸1𝑦𝑦 + 𝐸𝐸2𝑦𝑦 . Then 𝐸𝐸 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 .
+𝑞𝑞 𝑟𝑟 • If interested in its magnitude: 𝐸𝐸 2 = 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥2 + 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦2 .

P
𝑠𝑠 𝜃𝜃 𝑥𝑥
𝑥𝑥 𝜃𝜃

−𝑞𝑞 𝐸𝐸2 𝐸𝐸1

 Approximations Three charges are in the configuration shown in the
𝑦𝑦 figure. We are interested in the electric field that
+3𝑄𝑄 they create in point P (“observation point”).

a) If we increase the distance 𝑑𝑑 such that 𝑑𝑑 ≫ 𝑥𝑥, we

𝑑𝑑 expect the E-field to approach...

−𝑄𝑄 P
𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥

A. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥

𝑑𝑑 B. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥
C. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥
D. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥
+3𝑄𝑄 E. |𝐸𝐸| = 0
 Approximations Three charges are in the configuration shown in the
𝑦𝑦 figure. We are interested in the electric field that
+3𝑄𝑄 they create in point P (“observation point”).

a) If we increase the distance 𝑑𝑑 such that 𝑑𝑑 ≫ 𝑥𝑥, we

𝑑𝑑 expect the E-field to approach...

−𝑄𝑄 P • When 𝑑𝑑 ≫ 𝑥𝑥, the fields que to +3𝑄𝑄

𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥
become negligible in comparison
with the field of −𝑄𝑄.

A. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥

𝑑𝑑 B. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥
C. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥
D. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥
+3𝑄𝑄 E. |𝐸𝐸| = 0
 Approximations Three charges are in the configuration shown in the
𝑦𝑦 figure. We are interested in the electric field that
+3𝑄𝑄 they create in point P (“observation point”).

b) If we move point P very far away such that 𝑥𝑥 ≫ 𝑑𝑑, we

𝑑𝑑 expect the E-field to approach...

−𝑄𝑄 𝑥𝑥 P
𝑥𝑥

A. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥

𝑑𝑑 B. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥
C. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥
D. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥
+3𝑄𝑄 E. |𝐸𝐸| = 0
 Approximations Three charges are in the configuration shown in the
𝑦𝑦 figure. We are interested in the electric field that
+3𝑄𝑄 they create in point P (“observation point”).

b) If we move point P very far away such that 𝑥𝑥 ≫ 𝑑𝑑, we

𝑑𝑑 expect the E-field to approach...

−𝑄𝑄 𝑥𝑥 P
𝑥𝑥

A. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥 • From very far away, the

𝑑𝑑 B. |𝐸𝐸| = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥 three charges “can be seen”
C. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along +𝑥𝑥 as one charge with net
D. |𝐸𝐸| = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑥𝑥2, along −𝑥𝑥 electric charge +5𝑄𝑄.
+3𝑄𝑄 E. |𝐸𝐸| = 0
Electric field due to a continuous charge distribution

𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• What we know so far is the electric field produced by a point charge: 𝐸𝐸 = ± 𝑢𝑢𝑟𝑟
𝑟𝑟 2

• How can we calculate the field produced by a continuous charge distribution?

𝑄𝑄  Say, we know that total charge 𝑄𝑄 is

distributed evenly over this rod, and
P we want to know E-field at point P

 Big idea: let’s cut the object into tiny

almost-point-like charges 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
 Then find the field created by each
P of them, and sum these fields up!!
𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸
𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸
Example #1: Thin Ring of Charge - 1

• Consider a thin ring-shaped conductor with radius 𝑅𝑅 that

has a total charge +𝑄𝑄 uniformly distributed around it.

P
Total
• What is the electric field at the point P charge: ℎ
located at a position on the z-axis a 𝑄𝑄
distance ℎ above the ring’s centre?
Example #1: Thin Ring of Charge - 2 Why a ring? It’s a good starter. It’s a highly symmetric
object, and we will be looking for a field at a point
with high symmetry (otherwise it will be a nightmare)

1) Menatlly cut the object into infinitesimal charges 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑.

2) Calculate 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸 at P due to a point charge 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑.

𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Magnitude: 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑘𝑘
𝑅𝑅2 +ℎ2
P
Total
• Direction: away from 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, at an angle charge: ℎ
(shown in the picture) 𝑄𝑄

• Next step would be to add all tiny fields 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸 up.

• We need to remember though that they add as 𝑑𝑑𝑄𝑄
vectors (in components)
Example #1: Thin Ring of Charge - 3 Why a ring? It’s a good starter. It’s a highly symmetric
object, and we will be looking for a field at a point
with high symmetry (otherwise it will be a nightmare)

3) Find the components of 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸. Do we actually need all of them?

• Due to the symmetry of the ring, all the 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸

components of E-filed in x and y directions will 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
cancel out. And the components in z-direction P 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
will add up! Total
charge: 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸∥ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸∥
ℎ
• We expect: 𝐸𝐸 = 0, 0, 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝑄𝑄 𝑑𝑑𝑄𝑄
• We have:

𝑘𝑘 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ℎ 𝑑𝑑𝑄𝑄
𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 cos 𝜃𝜃 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 2 cos 𝜃𝜃 =
𝑅𝑅 + ℎ2 𝑅𝑅2 + ℎ2
Example #1: Thin Ring of Charge - 4

4) Find 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 , 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 , 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 . Basically, you are just adding
up the fileds produced by all tiny charges (superposition principle)

𝑘𝑘 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ℎ 𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = 2 2
⋅ = 2
𝑅𝑅 + ℎ 2
𝑅𝑅 + ℎ 2 𝑅𝑅 + ℎ2 3/2
𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑘𝑘𝑘 Total
𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = � 3
= 3 � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 P charge:
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑅𝑅2 + ℎ2 2 𝑅𝑅2 + ℎ2 2 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
𝑄𝑄
ℎ
Total charge! 𝑑𝑑𝑄𝑄 ℎ
𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑄𝑄
𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = 3
𝑅𝑅2 + ℎ2 2
𝑑𝑑𝑄𝑄
Example #1: Thin Ring of Charge - 5

*) Sanity check: 𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑄𝑄

𝐸𝐸 = 3 𝑢𝑢𝑧𝑧 𝐸𝐸
𝑅𝑅2 + ℎ2 2
• Limiting cases:

• Far away from the ring: ℎ ≫ 𝑅𝑅 Total

P charge:
𝑘𝑘 𝑄𝑄 𝑄𝑄
𝐸𝐸 = 2 𝑢𝑢𝑧𝑧
ℎ -- point charge! ℎ
ℎ

• Center of the ring: ℎ = 0

𝐸𝐸 = 0 -- by symmetry
Q: A circular ring uniformly charged (charge +𝑄𝑄) is shown in the (x,y) plane. On the 𝑧𝑧 axis,
𝐸𝐸 = 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘. Which graph correctly represents the electric field component, 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 , on the z-axis?
z

𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
A. B.
𝑧𝑧 y
𝑧𝑧
x
𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
C. D.

𝑧𝑧 𝑧𝑧

Application: loop antenna

Q: A circular ring uniformly charged (charge +𝑄𝑄) is shown in the (x,y) plane. On the 𝑧𝑧 axis,
𝐸𝐸 = 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘. Which graph correctly represents the electric field component, 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 , on the z-axis?
z

𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
A. B.
𝑧𝑧 y
𝑧𝑧
x
𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
C. D.

𝑧𝑧 𝑧𝑧

𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 0 for z = 0 (centre of ring)

𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = 3� 𝑅𝑅
(𝑅𝑅2 +𝑧𝑧 2 ) 2 = max for z= ±
√2
Application: loop antenna
Q: A positive charge +𝑄𝑄 is uniformly distributed on the upper half of a semicircular rod
and a negative charge −𝑄𝑄 is uniformly distributed on the lower half. What is the direction
of the electric field at the point P, the center of the semicircle?

+𝑄𝑄
++
+
+ P
−
−
−−
−𝑄𝑄

A. Upward
B. Downward
C. Left
D. Right
E. 45 degree north of east
Q: A positive charge +𝑄𝑄 is uniformly distributed on the upper half of a semicircular rod
and a negative charge −𝑄𝑄 is uniformly distributed on the lower half. What is the direction
of the electric field at the point P, the center of the semicircle?

+𝑄𝑄
++
+
+ P
−
−
−−
−𝑄𝑄

A. Upward
B. Downward
C. Left
D. Right
E. 45 degree north of east
Example #2: E-field of a Finite Line of Charge - 1

• Consider charge +𝑄𝑄 distributed uniformly along a line 𝐿𝐿 = 2𝑎𝑎.

• Find the electric field 𝐸𝐸 at point P at the symmetry axis at

distance ℎ from the rod.
𝑦𝑦
P
 Consider the line to be made up of
infinitesimal segments, 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, at the ℎ
position 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑄𝑄
 Find the superposition of tiny fields, 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸,
produced by these charged at point P + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 𝑥𝑥
(!) E-fields add up in components! −𝑎𝑎 𝑂𝑂 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑎𝑎
Example #2: E-field of a Finite Line of Charge - 2

1) Menatlly cut the object into infinitesimal charges 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑.

Q: How much charge, 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, is sitting in

a segment of length 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑? 𝑦𝑦
P

𝑄𝑄
ℎ
A. 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2𝑎𝑎
𝑄𝑄 𝑄𝑄
B. 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2𝑎𝑎 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 𝑥𝑥
C. 𝑄𝑄 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 −𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
𝑂𝑂 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2𝑎𝑎
D. 𝑄𝑄
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
E. Something else
Example #2: E-field of a Finite Line of Charge - 3
2) Calculate 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸 at P due to a point charge 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑.

Q: What is the magnitude of the electric field 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸 created by a tiny charge 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
highlighted in the picture?
𝑦𝑦
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
A. 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑘𝑘 2 P
ℎ
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
B. 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑘𝑘 ℎ 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2
𝑥𝑥 2
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
C. 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑘𝑘 2 2 𝑄𝑄
𝑥𝑥 +ℎ
𝜃𝜃
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
D. 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑘𝑘 2 2 cos 𝜃𝜃 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 𝑥𝑥
𝑥𝑥 +ℎ
−𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
E. 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑘𝑘 2 2 sin 𝜃𝜃 𝑂𝑂 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑥𝑥 +ℎ

Q: What is its direction? Show in the picture.

Example #2: E-field of a Finite Line of Charge - 4
3) Find the components of 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸.
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑄𝑄
So, 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑘𝑘 2 and 𝑑𝑑𝑄𝑄 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑥𝑥 + ℎ2 2𝑎𝑎 𝜃𝜃 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦
𝑦𝑦
𝑘𝑘𝑄𝑄 𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥
Hence, 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 P
2𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2
ℎ 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 = −𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 cos 𝜃𝜃 = − 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2 𝑄𝑄 𝜃𝜃
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ℎ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 = +𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 sin 𝜃𝜃 = +
2𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2 −𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2 𝑂𝑂 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑥𝑥=+𝑎𝑎
• Next: 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 = ∫𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 , 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 = ∫𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 � … = � …
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑥𝑥=−𝑎𝑎
Example #2: E-field of a Finite Line of Charge - 5
4) Find 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 , 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 , 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧 . Basically, you are just adding up the
fields produced by all tiny charges (superposition principle)
 Do we actually need all of the components?? 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸
𝑦𝑦
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 +𝑎𝑎 −𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 P
𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥 = � = 0 by symmetry
2𝑎𝑎 −𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2 3/2
𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 +𝑎𝑎 ℎ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 ℎ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 = �
2𝑎𝑎 −𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2 3/2
= 𝑄𝑄 𝜃𝜃
ℎ 𝑎𝑎2 + ℎ2
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 𝑥𝑥
−𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
• Use this standard integral: 𝑂𝑂 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
� 2 =
𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐 2 3/2
𝑐𝑐 2 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑐 2
Example #2: E-field of a Finite Line of Charge - 6 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 (ℎ) =
*) Limiting cases: ℎ 𝑎𝑎2 + ℎ2

• 𝑎𝑎 ≫ ℎ (very long rod)

𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸 𝑑𝑑𝐸𝐸
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑄𝑄 1 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑦𝑦
𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 → = 2𝑘𝑘 = P
ℎ 𝑎𝑎 2𝑎𝑎 ℎ ℎ

• 𝜆𝜆 = 𝑄𝑄/(2𝑎𝑎): linear charge density 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + ℎ2

(charge per unit length) ℎ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Electric field decays as
𝑄𝑄 𝜃𝜃
1/(distance from the rod) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 𝑥𝑥
−𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
𝑂𝑂 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• 𝑎𝑎 ≪ ℎ (very short rod)
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 → = E-field of a point charge 𝑄𝑄
ℎ2
Q: The same line as before now has charges 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦 (ℎ) =
uniformly distributed as: ℎ 𝑎𝑎2 + ℎ2
+𝑄𝑄 between 𝑥𝑥 = −𝑎𝑎 and 𝑥𝑥 = 0
−𝑄𝑄 between 𝑥𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥𝑥 = +𝑎𝑎
𝑦𝑦
In this situation, the electric field at point P is:
P

ℎ
+𝑄𝑄 −𝑄𝑄
A. in the positive 𝑥𝑥 direction + + + + + + + + − − − − − − − − 𝑥𝑥
B. in the negative 𝑥𝑥 direction −𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
C. in the positive 𝑦𝑦 direction 𝑂𝑂
D. in the negative 𝑦𝑦 direction
E. zero
Calculations with continuous charge distribution: Summary

Step 0: Try to reduce the

problem in hand to what
you already know Consider symmetry

Remember what is your

integration variable, and
what is constant (i.e.
does not change)

Sanity-check your answer:

look at limiting cases
(field far away and near
the charged object)