/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 72 A ring with charge \(Q\) and rad... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

A ring with charge \(Q\) and radius \(R\) is in the \(y z\) -plane and centered on the origin. What is the electric potential a distance \(x\) above the center of the ring? Derive the electric field from this relationship.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The electric potential at a distance x above the center of the charged ring is given by the expression: \(V(P) = \frac{Q}{2\epsilon_0} \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+R^2}}\).

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the electric potential at a point P above the center

Let's consider a point P located along the x-axis at a distance x above the center of the ring. The electric potential at point P is given by the following equation: \(V(P) = \dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \int \dfrac{dq}{r}\) where \(1/4\pi\epsilon_0\) is the electrostatic constant, dq represents an infinitesimal charge element on the ring, and r is the distance from the charge element to point P. To find the electric potential, we will need to integrate over all the dq charges on the ring, considering the geometry of the problem.
02

Define the variables and set up the integral

Let's define an infinitesimal angle \(\delta \phi\) in the yz-plane, which would correspond to the infinitesimal arc length \(\delta l = R \delta \phi\), and hence, the infinitesimal charge element dq would be \(\delta q = \dfrac{Q}{2\pi R} \delta l = \dfrac{Q}{2\pi R} R \delta \phi = \dfrac{Q}{2\pi} \delta \phi\). The distance r from the charge element \(\delta q\) to the point P can be determined by applying the Pythagorean theorem: \(r = \sqrt{x^2 + R^2}\) Now we can set up the integral for the electric potential at point P: \(V(P) = \dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \int \dfrac{dq}{r} = \dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \int \dfrac{\dfrac{Q}{2\pi}\delta\phi}{\sqrt{x^2+R^2}}\)
03

Evaluate the integral

The integral we obtained is: \(V(P) = \dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \int \dfrac{Q}{2\pi(x^2+R^2)^{1/2}}\delta\phi\) Since x and R are constants, we can move them outside the integral, and integrate with respect to \(\phi\): \(V(P) = \dfrac{Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \dfrac{1}{(x^2+R^2)^{1/2}} \int_0^{2\pi}\delta\phi\) After evaluating the integral, we get: \(V(P) = \dfrac{Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+R^2}} \cdot 2\pi = \dfrac{Q}{2\epsilon_0} \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+R^2}}\)
04

Derive the electric field from the electric potential

The electric field can be found as the negative gradient of the electric potential. In this case, the only non-zero component of the electric field is along the x-axis, so we'll calculate the derivative of the electric potential with respect to x: \(E_x = -\dfrac{dV}{dx} = -\dfrac{d}{dx} \left(\dfrac{Q}{2\epsilon_0} \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+R^2}} \right)\) After taking the derivative and simplifying, we get: \(E_x = \dfrac{Q}{2\epsilon_0} \dfrac{x}{(x^2+R^2)^{3/2}}\) Therefore, the electric field at point P has only an x-component and can be written as: \(\textbf{E} = \left(\dfrac{Q}{2\epsilon_0} \dfrac{x}{(x^2+R^2)^{3/2}}\right) \hat{\textbf{x}}\) The electric potential at a distance x above the center of the charged ring is \(V(P) = \dfrac{Q}{2\epsilon_0} \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+R^2}}\), and the electric field derived from this relationship is \(\textbf{E} = \left(\dfrac{Q}{2\epsilon_0} \dfrac{x}{(x^2+R^2)^{3/2}}\right) \hat{\textbf{x}}\).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Four identical point charges \((+1.61 \mathrm{nC})\) are placed at the corners of a rectangle, which measures \(3.00 \mathrm{~m}\) by \(5.00 \mathrm{~m}\). If the electric potential is taken to be zero at infinity, what is the potential at the geometric center of this rectangle?

In which situation is the electric potential the highest? a) at a point \(1 \mathrm{~m}\) from a point charge of \(1 \mathrm{C}\) b) at a point \(1 \mathrm{~m}\) from the center of a uniformly charged spherical shell of radius \(0.5 \mathrm{~m}\) with a total charge of \(1 \mathrm{C}\) c) at a point \(1 \mathrm{~m}\) from the center of a uniformly charged rod of length \(1 \mathrm{~m}\) and with a total charge of \(1 \mathrm{C}\) d) at a point \(2 \mathrm{~m}\) from a point charge of \(2 \mathrm{C}\) e) at a point \(0.5 \mathrm{~m}\) from a point charge of \(0.5 \mathrm{C}\)

A particle with a charge of \(+5.0 \mu C\) is released from rest at a point on the \(x\) -axis, where \(x=0.10 \mathrm{~m}\). It begins to move as a result of the presence of a \(+9.0-\mu C\) charge that remains fixed at the origin. What is the kinetic energy of the particle at the instant it passes the point \(x=0.20 \mathrm{~m} ?\)

A classroom Van de Graaff generator accumulates a charge of \(1.00 \cdot 10^{-6} \mathrm{C}\) on its spherical conductor, which has a radius of \(10.0 \mathrm{~cm}\) and stands on an insulating column. Neglecting the effects of the generator base or any other objects or fields, find the potential at the surface of the sphere. Assume that the potential is zero at infinity.

What would be the consequence of setting the potential at \(+100 \mathrm{~V}\) at infinity, rather than taking it to be zero there? a) Nothing; the field and the potential would have the same values at every finite point. b) The electric potential would become infinite at every finite point, and the electric field could not be defined. c) The electric potential everywhere would be \(100 \mathrm{~V}\) higher, and the electric field would be the same. d) It would depend on the situation. For example, the potential due to a positive point charge would drop off more slowly with distance, so the magnitude of the electric field would be less.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.