Gauss's Law and a hollow metal cylinder

In summary, using Gauss's law, we can find the charge per unit length on the inner and outer surfaces of a hollow metal cylinder surrounding a long, straight wire with a charge per unit length of lambda. Inside the surface of the cylinder, the electric field is 0, and it is possible that this refers to the inside of the metal shell rather than the surface.
  • #1
flyingpig
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Homework Statement



A long, straight wire is surrounded by a hollow metal cylinder whose axis coincides with that of the wire. The wire has a charge per unit length of lambda, and the cylinder has a net charge per unit length of 2lambda. From this information, use Gauss's law to find (a) the charge per unit length on the inner and outer surfaces of the cylinder and (b) the electric field outside the cylinder, a distance r from the axis.



The Attempt at a Solution



My book says inside the surface, E field is 0. But I don't understand, isn't the wire a conductor spreading E fields of its own?

[PLAIN]http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/8741/98449368.jpg
 
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  • #2
Is inside the shell not the same as being on the surface of the shell?
 
  • #3
maybe that "inside the surface" means that inside the metal of shell (the thin layer)
 

FAQ: Gauss's Law and a hollow metal cylinder

What is Gauss's Law?

Gauss's Law is a fundamental law in electromagnetism that relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the charge enclosed by that surface.

How does Gauss's Law apply to a hollow metal cylinder?

In the case of a hollow metal cylinder, Gauss's Law states that the electric flux through any closed surface surrounding the cylinder is equal to the total charge enclosed by that surface divided by the permittivity of free space.

What is the significance of a hollow metal cylinder in Gauss's Law?

A hollow metal cylinder is often used as an example in Gauss's Law because it represents a simple and symmetrical system that can be easily analyzed using the law.

How does the distribution of charge affect Gauss's Law for a hollow metal cylinder?

The distribution of charge on the surface of a hollow metal cylinder does not affect Gauss's Law, as the electric field inside the cylinder is zero due to the conductive nature of the metal. This means that the charge enclosed by any closed surface surrounding the cylinder will always be equal to the total charge on the surface of the cylinder.

Can Gauss's Law be applied to other shapes besides a hollow metal cylinder?

Yes, Gauss's Law can be applied to any closed surface, regardless of its shape. However, for more complex shapes, the law may be more difficult to apply and may require the use of mathematical techniques such as integration.

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