Electrostatics Definition and 684 Threads

  1. Z

    The potential between a cone and a plate

    Homework Statement [/B] There is a conducting cone with angle α placed so that its vertex is normal to an electrically grounded plate, but electrically insulated from the plate and kept at a constant potential V. Find the potential V and the electric field in the region between the cone and the...
  2. PhysicsKT

    Energy density of an electromagnetic field

    The energy density of an electromagnetic field with a linear dielectric is often expressed as . It is also known that energy can be found by . Using the latter, the energy density is found to be , as is well known. If you integrate the latter only over free charge and ignore bound charge, you...
  3. P

    Corollary of the Uniqueness Theorem in Electrostatics

    Following my instructor's notes the statement of the Uniqueness Theorem(s) are as follows "If ##\rho_{inside}## and ##\phi_{boundary}## (OR ##\frac{d \phi_{boundary}}{dn}## ) are known then ##\phi_{inside}## is uniquely determined" A few paragraphs later the notes state "For the field inside...
  4. Aya Elsayed

    I Grounding Process: Neutralizing Negatively Charged Objects

    Let us consider a negatively charged object. We want to neutralize this object, so we touched it by our hands to remove the excess of negative charges by Grounding. Now the question is : Will our body (The Ground) be negatively charged as it gained those negative charges? then why it is called...
  5. A

    What is the electric field of a point charge?

    Assuming the point charge lies at the origin, what is the electric field at the origin? Zero or undefined?
  6. WhiteWolf98

    What Is the Ratio of the New Separation Distance to the Initial Separation?

    Homework Statement The magnitude of the electrostatic force between point charges ##q_1 = 26~\mu C## and ##q_2 = 47~\mu C## is initially ##F_1=5.70~N##. The separation distance between the charges, ##r_1## is then changed such that the magnitude of the force is, ##F_2=0.57~N##. (a) What is the...
  7. C

    Exploring Electrostatics with Gauss Theorem

    Having come experimentally to an interesting electrostatic effect, I have returned, aged 47, to my old books in physics. It turns out that my books delight in using Gauss theorem etc. in rather ideal geometrical surface charge distribution, but never gave me the tools to answer to this simple...
  8. Kaan99

    Electrostatic self-force is zero

    Homework Statement Consider a charged body of finite size, (\rho=0 outside a bounded region V). \vec{E} is the electric field produced by the body. Suppose \vec{E} \rightarrow 0 at infinity. Show that the total self-force is zero: \int_V \rho \vec{E} dV = \vec{0}, i.e. the charged body does not...
  9. Alan Lins Alves

    Problem with the Finite Element Method applied to Electrostatics

    Hi! I have a code that solve the poisson equation for FEM in temperature problems. I tested the code for temperature problems and it works! Now i have to solve an Electrostatic problem. There is the mesh of my problem (img 01). At the left side of the mesh we have V=0 (potencial). There is a...
  10. G

    Poisson's equation boundary conditions (electrostatics)

    Hi everyone! I have to solve a problem using Poisson's equation. There are two parallel infinite conductor planes in vacuum. The distance between them is d and they are both kept at a potential V=0. Between them there is a uniform volume density charge \rho_0>0 infinite along the directions...
  11. iVenky

    Surface charge on a conductor due to a charged rod 'q'

    Homework Statement A charged rod of charge 'q' is at a distance 'd' from a perfect conductor as shown below. What's the total surface charge on the conductor? 2. Homework Equations I tried to solve this without equations. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] Basically, as long as there is E field...
  12. CptXray

    How can I solve a Laplace equation in a cube with mixed boundary conditions?

    Homework Statement There's a metal cunducting cube with edge length ##a##. Three of its walls: ##x=y=z=0## are grounded and the other three walls: ##x=y=z=a## are held at a constant potential ##\phi_{0}## . Find potential inside the cube. Homework Equations The potential must satisfy Laplace...
  13. L

    At what point is Electric Potential zero

    1. The problem statement Two charges of 3μC and -2μC are placed 2cm apart. At what point along their connecting line is electric potential zero? Homework Equations Electric potential superposition Φ=Φ1-Φ2 since q2 is negative Φ=kq/r^2 The Attempt at a Solution Let’s say the charges are on the...
  14. archaic

    Force of one distribution of charge on another

    Homework Statement I need help on solving this exercise : We have a ring of radius = ##a## uniformly charged (total charge = ##Q##) and on its axis a segment ##OA## (length = ##a## also) of uniformly distributed positive electric charges with the charge density ##\lambda'## and of total charge...
  15. B

    No problem, happy to help! Keep up the good work in your studies.

    Homework Statement The z = 0 plane is a grounded conducting surface. A point charge q is at (0,0,a), and charge 4q at (0,-2a,a). Calculate the potential in the region z > 0. Homework Equations V=∑kq/rThe Attempt at a Solution [/B] Use the method of images. V1 = kq/r+ + kq/r- V1=kq(1/sqrt(x^2...
  16. N

    Electrostatics from particle laden air

    Is it possible to generate static electricity from air flow containing particles example smoke or dust flow, or does anyone know of experiments such as the kelvin water dropper converted to generate static from air flow ? Thanks
  17. A

    Finite dual disk capacitor: estimating charge distribution

    Homework Statement Working through Purcell (among others) as fun applied math/math modeling refresher. But, I have struggled all week in establishing from first principles that the potential/field/distribution for a configuration of two capacitive disks of radius 1 and separation s along the...
  18. yungquark

    Unreasonable answer for acceleration of an electron in field

    Homework Statement Hello PF! Got a two-part question involving calculating the electric force on a electron when placed in an electric field of 0.75N/C to the right, and the acceleration of said electron. Our values are E=0.75N/C, q=-1.6e^-19, m=9.1e^-31 (charge and mass of electron)...
  19. Abhimessi10

    Charge distribution on concentric spheres

    Homework Statement Two thin conducting spherical shells have radii R1 and R2.Outer shell is charged to q and inner shell earthed.Find charge appearing on both the shells. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Isnt the charge on inner shell 0 and charge on outer shell remains Q as it...
  20. Abhimessi10

    How Does Inserting Different Dielectric Materials Affect Capacitor Performance?

    Homework Statement Between the plates of parallel plate condenser having charge Q,a plate of thickness t1 and dielectric constant k1 is placed.In the rest of the space,there is another plate of thickness t2 and dielectric constant K2.The potential difference across the condenser will be...
  21. Abhimessi10

    Charge entering into the field between capacitor plates

    Homework Statement A negative charge of mass m enters into the field between two deflecting parallel plates with length 'l' separated by distance 'd' with a velocity 'v'.Assuming electric field to be uniform,find the maximum charge so that it will not hit a plate Homework Equations Kinematic...
  22. ExplosivePete

    Capacitance Addition Formula Origin

    Hello, Could someone help me find a general derivation of the formula for addition of capacitance of conductors? I'm hoping to find something that could be applied to a general assortment of conductors, not just parallel plate capacitors. I look forward to your response, Pete
  23. Faizan Samad

    Electrostatics Problem using Laplace's Equation

    Homework Statement Prove that in a region free of electric charge, the value of the potential at a point is equal to its average over any sphere centered at that point. Homework Equations V(r) = 1/(4piR^2) Integral(V * da) The Attempt at a Solution I defined a point outside the region where a...
  24. N

    What is the issue with this electrostatics problem?

    Homework Statement I'm suppose to set a general function of the electric field, at any point in the xy plane. As the picture shows, there are 2 point charges with 1 charge, and 1 point charge with -3 charge. Each of them are equally distanced from the origin, and all 3 are evenly spaced...
  25. Captain Levi

    Someone help explain electric dipole situation

    Ok so she says that electric dipoles are of opposite charge but equal magnitude at 3:40. But then at 5:33 she shows 2Q with -Q, at that point the magnitude of the 2Q particle wouldn't be equal to the -Q so they wouldn't be electrical dipoles right?
  26. O

    E-field generated by constant current in a circular loop

    Homework Statement Discussions of the possibility of a tangential E-field external to a current-carrying conductor must include a voltage source and a return path. Here the problem is reduced to (we believe) the simplest possible geometry. Assume that a circular conducting loop has constant...
  27. O

    I Does a conductor E field include a tangential component?

    Background: an ordinary wire supports an external radial electric field proportional to voltage, and an internal axial field equal to current times resistance per unit length. The present question is whether the internal axial field has an external counterpart. The original question that...
  28. Brilli

    Charge Flow in Earthed Conducting Shell with Non-Symmetric Configuration

    Homework Statement Consider a thin conducting shell of radius r carrying total charge q. Two point charges q and 2q are placed on the points A and B which are at the distances 0.5r and 2r from centre of the shell respectively. If the shell is earthed how much charge flows from to the earth...
  29. F

    Capacitance of three-layered cylinders

    I have an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder given. They are hollow(like if you were to take a sheet of paper and tape one edge to the other), grounded, and the inner cylinder is inside the outer cylinder. Between these cylinders is an ungrounded cylinder. I am now asked to calculate the...
  30. Brilli

    Force on a part of a spherical shell on the other

    Homework Statement Given there is a conducting sphere which has a charge q on it. A plane cuts the sphere into 2 form a distance r from centre. How can we calculate the electrostatic force on one part on either side of the plane due ro the other part? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a...
  31. G

    Calculate polarization energy over a set of cuboids

    Dear Physics Forums members, I have a research problem that involves electrostatics. My education is as a chemist, and thus I struggle to accurately represent my problem, so I thought that you guys could help me (and would be interested in the exercise). Here is an image to summarize my...
  32. eigenmax

    External-excitation Van de Graaff polarities

    My question regards the polarities of the excitation supply and terminal in an external-excitation VDG. As you all probably know, external excitation VDGs use a voltage supply (usually 5,000-10,000V) to influence the charge on the lower pulley, instead of just relying on frictional contact to...
  33. CDL

    Electric Flux through the Face of a Cube

    Homework Statement Griffiths' Introduction to Electrodynamics problem 2.10, Homework Equations Gauss' Law, ##\int_{S} \textbf{E}\cdot \textbf{dS} = \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}}{\epsilon_0}##[/B]The Attempt at a Solution It seems reasonable that the flux through the shaded surface and the front...
  34. ubergewehr273

    Problem in electrostatics: E-field near 2 point charges

    Homework Statement Refer the image. Homework Equations kq1q2/r^2 = F Potential energy = kq1q1/r The Attempt at a Solution Obviously since both charges are unequal in magnitude option a is incorrect. Calculating field at large distance r, E = kq1/r^2 - kq2/r^2 = kq2/r^2 Also potential energy...
  35. M

    Electrostatics potential questions

    What should be the potential of a cube at infinity having 6 equal charges placed at its corners?In first attempt I made it zero as looking from infinity all tge 8 pt. charges will seem to be coincided at a single point and potential of a 8q charge at infinity would be zero..?
  36. Hypercube

    Formal difference between electrostatics and magnetostatics

    In his book on EM, Griffiths states: Formally, electro/magnetostatics is the régime $$\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}=0, \hspace{0.25in} \frac{\partial \vec{\boldsymbol{J}}}{\partial t}=\boldsymbol{0}$$ He explains how in electrostatics charges do not move, or (more specifically), charge...
  37. T

    Getting electric potential from charge density over whole sp

    Homework Statement Let’s say I have got a charge density $\rho (x,y,z) = \cfrac{C}{x^2}$ with C a specific constant. I want to know the potential on every point in space. How can I get an expression of the electric potential in terms of position? Homework Equations Gauss law/coulomb's law...
  38. L

    Electrostatics on a metal sphere

    <<Moved from a technical forum, no template>> Why the answer is A?
  39. S

    Apparent disagreement between Coulomb's Law and Gauss' Law

    This is probably my misunderstanding, so please clarify. In a region of empty space, there are two point charges with the charges+Q and -Q. Exactly in the middle of the two charges (distance r from both charges) is point P, colinear with the centers of both charges. A Gaussian surface that...
  40. PKM

    What should be the electric field intensity inside a sphere

    If the force acting between two point charges were proportional to \frac{1}{r^ 3}, instead of \frac{1}{r^ 2}, what would be the electric field intensity and charge density inside a charged solid metallic sphere?
  41. JustAStudent

    Work to move electron/proton between the plates of a charged capacitor?

    Homework Statement A charged capacitor consists of two large flat plates, one with positive charge +Q and the other negative charge -Q. An external agent trans an electron from the positive plate to the negative and also transfers a proton from the negative plate to the positive plate. There is...
  42. Jayalk97

    Electrostatics: calculating the E-field of a line charge

    Hey guys, could anyone tell me if set up this integral correctly? Thanks in advanced!
  43. A

    Electrostatics -- A charge oscillating through a charged plane

    Homework Statement Charge -q placed in front of an infinite plane of charge density σ To show the oscillatory motion of the charge -q It is allowed to impinge through charged plane Homework Equations Electric field in front of a charged plane is σ/2ε0 The Attempt at a Solution Force...
  44. W

    Electrostatics: "Compressing" Charged Spherical Shell

    Homework Statement How much work is required to squeeze a uniformly charged spherical shell from a radius of ##r## to a radius of ##r−dr##, if (a) the total charge q is a constant, (b) the sphere is kept at a constant potential, e.g. grounded. (c) Are the answers the same or different...
  45. W

    Electrostatics: Energy from a charge distribution

    Homework Statement [/B] For a straight wire of length 2L carrying a uniform charge density ##\lambda##, find 1) potential a distance z above the centre 2) electric field E at that point, 3) energy of this charge distribution Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution 1) and 2) I can do...
  46. Matt Chu

    Potential Energies of Two Charged Cylinders

    Homework Statement Problem 1.24 (this is unimportant; it's just a different way of calculating the potential energy of a solid cylinder) gives one way of calculating the energy per unit length stored in a solid cylinder with radius a and uniform volume charge density ##\rho##. Calculate the...
  47. L

    Calculate a charge distribution given an electric potential.

    Homework Statement Find the distribution of charge giving rise to an electric field whose potential is $$\Phi (x,y) = 2~tan^{-1}(\frac{1+x}{y}) + 2~tan^{-1}(\frac{1-x}{y})$$where x and y are Cartesian coordinates. Such a distribution is called a two-dimensional one since it does not depend on...
  48. Javier Lopez

    What would be the capacitance of a particle on a plate?

    Homework Statement There is a charged particle at height h over a circular area of radii R, then I have to calculate the capacitance. This is useful when somebody want to calculate energy harvesting, antennas, sensors that measures ions in plasma devices and particle accelerators...
  49. FritoTaco

    Electrostatics: graphing/field vectors

    Homework Statement (whole question/answer on IMG file also a scanned version in case) Hello, this question is from my notes and I couldn't figure out the graphing part of it. We're supposed to use limits and see what happens to the equations as x goes to infinity and zero. My question (as you...
  50. Jurtinus

    Coulomb's law, electrostatics?

    Equation: ΣF=Σk(qi)(qj)/(r^2) Question: Considering more than a couple of particles. How can a net force on a charged particle be calculated if Coulomb's law is under the restriction of static forces? Thanks!
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