Scribd
Upload
3 views

Problem_Set_1

This document is a problem set for the PH1020 Physics II course at IIT Madras, focusing on the electric field and its flux. It includes various problems related to charge distributions, electric fields from point charges, line charges, and the application of Gauss's law. The problems require the use of the Dirac delta function, calculations of electric fields in different geometries, and analysis of charge densities.

Uploaded by

mehak7.ms
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

Problem_Set_1

This document is a problem set for the PH1020 Physics II course at IIT Madras, focusing on the electric field and its flux. It includes various problems related to charge distributions, electric fields from point charges, line charges, and the application of Gauss's law. The problems require the use of the Dirac delta function, calculations of electric fields in different geometries, and analysis of charge densities.

Uploaded by

mehak7.ms
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MADRAS


PH1020 Physics II
Problem Set 1

The Electric Field and its Flux Date: 21 Jan 2025

1. The Dirac delta function in electrostatics: The Dirac delta function can
be used to write a formal expression for volume charge density ρ(r) associated
with point charges, as well as with line and surface charge densities. Express
ρ(r) using the delta function for Rfollowing configuration of charges. To fix all
the factors correctly, check that ρdV over all volume indeed gives the total
charge as expected from the given point/line/surface charge configurations.
(a) A set of N discrete point charges qi , i = 1 · · · N , located at positions r i .
(b) A line charge density λ(ϕ) pasted on a circle of radius R located in the X-Y
plane with center at the origin.
2. The charge density of a spherical shell, radius R and total uniform charge Q is
given by ρ(r, θ, φ) = Aδ(r − R). Find A.
3. Find the electric field above the center of a square sheet (side a), carrying a
uniform charge σ. Once you have evaluated this charge density, verify that your
result reproduces the limiting cases a → ∞, and z ≫ a correctly.
4. (a) A sphere of radius R centered at the origin carries a surface charge density
σ(r) = (K·r), where K is a given constant vector of appropriate dimensions.
Find the electric field at the center of the sphere.
(b) Repeat the calculation for the case in which the sphere has a volume charge
density ρ(r) = (K · r) (0 ≤ |r| ≤ R), rather than a surface charge density.
(Again, K has the appropriate physical dimensions.)
5. Using Gauss’ law in the integral form,
I
Qenclosed
E · n̂dS = ,
S ϵ0
where n̂ is the outward normal to the Gaussian surface S, obtain the electric
field E due to the following volume charge distributions:
(a) ( ϱ
β , 0<ϱ≤a
ρ(ϱ, φ, z) = a
0, a<ϱ<∞
Here (ϱ, φ, z) denote cylindrical polar coordinates. Using cylindrical sym-
metry, one can show that E(r) must necessarily be of the form E(ϱ)ϱ̂. So
the problem reduces to a choice of Gaussian surface S.
(b)   2

β 1 − r , 0 < r ≤ a
ρ(r, θ, φ) = a2
0, a<r<∞

Here (r, θ, φ) denote spherical polar coordinates. Using spherical symmetry,
one can show that E(r) must necessarily be of the form E(r)r̂.
Note: β is a constant of appropriate dimensions in each case.
6. Consider two point charges q that are located at positions x = ±ℓ.
(a) At points close to the origin on the x-axis, find Ex . At points close to the
origin on the y-axis, find Ey . Make suitable approximations with x ≪ ℓ and
y ≪ ℓ.
(b) Consider a small infinitesimal cylinder centered at the origin, with its axis
along the x-axis. The radius is r0 and the length is 2x0 . Using your results
from part (a), verify that there is zero flux through the cylinder, as required
by Gauss’s law.
7. A ring of radius R has a uniform line charge density λ (λ > 0). The ring is
located in the x-y plane with its center at the origin.
(a) What is the electric field at any point along the z-axis?
(b) A point charge −Q is initially placed at the origin and is constrained to
move along the z-axis. If it is displaced a small distance (≪ R) from the
origin, show that it undergoes simple harmonic motion and determine its
period.
8. Two infinite lines of charge, each of uniform charge density λ, are located along
the x and y axes respectively. Consider a cubical Gaussian surface with edge
length L, centered at the origin of the coordinates O with its faces perpendicular
to the coordinate axes. Find the electric flux through each of the six faces of
the cube.

Page 2

You might also like