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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### 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
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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