7. As shown to the right, a thin glass rod forms a semicircle of radius R. Charge is uniformly distributed along the rod, with +q on the upper half, and -q on the lower half. Determine an expression for the electric field E produced at point P. &₁ +9. -q R X
7. As shown to the right, a thin glass rod forms a semicircle of radius R. Charge is uniformly distributed along the rod, with +q on the upper half, and -q on the lower half. Determine an expression for the electric field E produced at point P. &₁ +9. -q R X
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ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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![### Understanding Electric Fields in Semicircular Charge Distributions
**Problem Statement:**
As shown in the adjacent diagram, a thin glass rod forms a semicircle with a radius \( R \). Charge is uniformly distributed along the rod, with \( +q \) on the upper half, and \( -q \) on the lower half. Determine an expression for the electric field \( \mathbf{E} \) produced at point \( P \).
**Diagram Description:**
In the diagram, we observe:
- A semicircular thin glass rod with radius \( R \), centered at the origin of a coordinate system (point \( O \)).
- The upper semicircle is positively charged (\( +q \)).
- The lower semicircle is negatively charged (\( -q \)).
- Point \( P \) lies on the positive \( x \)-axis at a distance \( R \) from the origin.
**Solution Outline:**
1. Divide the problem into symmetrical components about the y-axis.
2. Calculate the contributions to the electric field by the differential elements of charge \( dQ \).
3. Use the superposition principle to find the net electric field at point \( P \).
The electric field \( \mathbf{E} \) at any point due to a charge distribution can be found using Coulomb’s law:
\[ d\mathbf{E} = \dfrac{k_e \, dQ}{{r^2}} \hat{r} \]
**Determining the Electric Field:**
- **Symmetry Consideration:**
The rod's electrostatic behavior can be simplified through symmetry.
- The horizontal components (along the x-axis) of the electric field will sum up due to symmetry.
- The vertical components (along the y-axis) will cancel out.
- **Differential Charge Elements:**
Let us consider a small charge element \( dQ \) on the semicircle. Given the charge distribution is uniform, we have:
\[ dQ = \lambda \, R \, d\theta \]
where \( \lambda \) is the linear charge density.
- **Electric Field Calculation:**
Considering the distance from each differential element to point \( P \) to be \( r = R \), the electric field due to a small element \( dQ \) at point \( P \) will be:
\[ dE = \dfrac{k_e \, dQ}{R](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F940fea84-314a-4cf2-b65e-4e6cbd95cd4c%2F28d21218-c82a-4501-8361-5dff1e608df5%2Fpyrado_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Electric Fields in Semicircular Charge Distributions
**Problem Statement:**
As shown in the adjacent diagram, a thin glass rod forms a semicircle with a radius \( R \). Charge is uniformly distributed along the rod, with \( +q \) on the upper half, and \( -q \) on the lower half. Determine an expression for the electric field \( \mathbf{E} \) produced at point \( P \).
**Diagram Description:**
In the diagram, we observe:
- A semicircular thin glass rod with radius \( R \), centered at the origin of a coordinate system (point \( O \)).
- The upper semicircle is positively charged (\( +q \)).
- The lower semicircle is negatively charged (\( -q \)).
- Point \( P \) lies on the positive \( x \)-axis at a distance \( R \) from the origin.
**Solution Outline:**
1. Divide the problem into symmetrical components about the y-axis.
2. Calculate the contributions to the electric field by the differential elements of charge \( dQ \).
3. Use the superposition principle to find the net electric field at point \( P \).
The electric field \( \mathbf{E} \) at any point due to a charge distribution can be found using Coulomb’s law:
\[ d\mathbf{E} = \dfrac{k_e \, dQ}{{r^2}} \hat{r} \]
**Determining the Electric Field:**
- **Symmetry Consideration:**
The rod's electrostatic behavior can be simplified through symmetry.
- The horizontal components (along the x-axis) of the electric field will sum up due to symmetry.
- The vertical components (along the y-axis) will cancel out.
- **Differential Charge Elements:**
Let us consider a small charge element \( dQ \) on the semicircle. Given the charge distribution is uniform, we have:
\[ dQ = \lambda \, R \, d\theta \]
where \( \lambda \) is the linear charge density.
- **Electric Field Calculation:**
Considering the distance from each differential element to point \( P \) to be \( r = R \), the electric field due to a small element \( dQ \) at point \( P \) will be:
\[ dE = \dfrac{k_e \, dQ}{R
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