A long, solid, conducting cylinder has a radius of 2.0cm. The electric field at the surface of the cylinder is160N/C, directed radially outward. Let A, B, and Cbe points that are10cm,2.0cm, and5.0cm, respectively, from the central axis of the cylinder. What are (a) the magnitude of the electric field at Cand the electric potential differences (b)VB-VCand (c)VA-VB?

Short Answer

Expert verified

a) The magnitude of electric field at C is, 64N/C.

b) The potential difference between points B and C is, 2.9V.

c) The potential difference between points A and B is, 0.

Step by step solution

01

Given

The radius of the cylinder is,R=2.0cm=2.0×10-2m.

The electric field at the surface of the cylinder is,Es=160N/C

The separation between center of the cylinder and the pointAis,rA=1.0cm=1.0×10-2m

The separation between center of the cylinder and the pointBis,rB=2.0cm=2.0×10-2m

The separation between center of the cylinder and the point Cis,rC=5.0cm=5.0×10-2m

02

Understanding the concept

After reading the question, Electric field at a distance r(outside) from the center due to charged cylinder of linear charge densityλis

E=λ2πε0r …(1)

Vr2-Vr1=-r1r2Erdr …(2)

03

(a) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at C

Electric field at the surface of the cylinderEsis expressed as,

Es=λ2πε0R

From equation (1) electric field on the cylinder of radiusR.

From equation (1) electric field outside the cylinder at a distance rCfrom center is,

Eo=λ2πε0rC

From the above two equations the electric field outside the cylinder is

Eo=EsRrc

Substitute all the value in the above equation.

Eo=160N/C2.0×10-2m5.0×10-2m=64N/C

Hence the magnitude of electric field at C is, 64N/C.

04

(b) Calculate the potential difference between points B and C.

Integrate the equation (2) limits fromrBtorCto get potential difference between pointsBandC.

VB-VC=rnrcEsRrdrVB-VC=EsRrbrcdrr

VB-VC=EsRlnrCrB

Substitute all the value in the above equation.

VB-VC=160N/C2.0×10-2mln5.0×10-2m2.0×10-2m=2.9V

Hence the potential difference between points B and C is, 29N.

05

(c) Calculate the potential difference between points B and C.

As the cylinder is conducting, the electric field inside the cylinder is zero. So the potential difference

VA-VB=0

Hence the potential difference between points A and B is, 0.

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