How to Calculate the E Field Inside a Charged Cylinder?

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the electric field inside an infinite charged cylinder with a given radius and line charge. Gauss's law can be used to find the electric field using the symmetry of the problem, without needing to know the total charge.
  • #1
cragar
2,552
3
This is not a homework problem. Let's say I have an infinite charged cylinder with radius R .
And I want to find the E field inside the cylinder. If the cylinder has a line charge of T, that is charge per length. would the charge enclosed just be the ration of the areas of the smaller radius to the larger fixed radius of the cylinder.
would Q equal [itex] \frac{Tr^2}{R^2} [/itex]
 
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  • #2
??
As you have a "smaller radius" and a "larger radius", I think you mean a hollow cylinder, similar to this?
To find the electric field inside, you can use the symmetry of the problem and Gauss's law, you do not need any total charge to do that.

Which charge, where?
 

Related to How to Calculate the E Field Inside a Charged Cylinder?

What is the formula for calculating the electric field inside a cylinder?

The formula for calculating the electric field inside a cylinder is E = λ/2πεr, where λ is the charge density, ε is the permittivity of the material, and r is the distance from the center of the cylinder.

Is the electric field inside a cylinder uniform?

No, the electric field inside a cylinder is not uniform. It varies with distance from the center of the cylinder and follows a 1/r relationship with respect to the radius.

How does the electric field inside a cylinder compare to the electric field outside the cylinder?

The electric field inside a cylinder is weaker than the electric field outside the cylinder, as the charge is spread out over a larger surface area inside the cylinder.

What are the factors that affect the strength of the electric field inside a cylinder?

The strength of the electric field inside a cylinder is affected by the charge density, the permittivity of the material, and the distance from the center of the cylinder.

Can the electric field inside a cylinder be negative?

Yes, the electric field inside a cylinder can be negative if the charge density is negative. This means that the electric field vector points in the opposite direction of the radial vector.

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