CHAPTER 2 – 9th Edition

˘
2.1. Three positive point charges of equal magnitude q are located at x = *2, y = 2, and y = * 2. Find
the coordinates of a fourth positive charge, also of magnitude q, that will yield a zero net electric field
at the origin: The field at the origin that arises from the three charges can be expressed as
L H I M
q 1 1 1 q ⌅ ⇧
Eo = ax + ˘ * 2 ay = ax + ay
4⇡✏0 2 2
( 2)2 2 16⇡✏0

The magnitude of this field is ˘

1_2 2q
Eo  = Eo Eo =
16⇡✏0
To counter this field, the fourth charge must be positioned
t ˘along a 45
˝ line in the first quadrant. Its
˘
distance from the origin along this line will be d = 4_ 2 = 21_4 2 = 1.68. This translates into
equal x and y coordinates of 21_4 = 1.19. Therefore the fourth charge of positive magnitude q is
located at (1.19, 1.19)

2.2. Point charges of 1nC and -2nC are located at (0,0,0) and (1,1,1), respectively, in free space. Determine
the vector force acting on each charge.

First, the electric field intensity associated with the 1nC charge, evalutated at the -2nC charge
location is: H I
1 1
E12 = ˘ ax + ay + az nC_m
4⇡✏0 (3) 3
˘
in which the distance between charges is 3 m. The force on the -2nC charge is then
*2 *1
F12 = q2 E12 = ˘ ax + ay + az = a + ay + az nN
12 3 ⇡✏0 10.4 ⇡✏0 x

The force on the 1nC charge at the origin is just the opposite of this result, or
+1
F21 = a + ay + az nN
10.4 ⇡✏0 x

2.3. Point charges of 50nC each are located at A(1, 0, 0), B(*1, 0, 0), C(0, 1, 0), and D(0, *1, 0) in free
space. Find the total force on the charge at A.

The force will be: 4 5

(50 ù 10*9 )2 RCA RDA RBA
F= + +
4⇡✏0 RCA 3 RDA 3 RBA 3
where RCA = ax * ay , RDA = ax + ay , and RBA = 2ax . The magnitudes are RCA  = RDA  =
˘
2, and RBA  = 2. Substituting these leads to
L M
(50 ù 10*9 )2 1 1 2
F= ˘ + ˘ + ax = 21.5ax N
4⇡✏0 2 2 2 2 8
where distances are in meters.

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 2.4. Eight identical point charges of Q C each are located at the corners of a cube of side length a, with
one charge at the origin, and with the three nearest charges at (a, 0, 0), (0, a, 0), and (0, 0, a). Find an
expression for the total vector force on the charge at P (a, a, a), assuming free space:

The total electric field at P (a, a, a) that produces a force on the charge there will be the sum of the
fields from the other seven charges. This is written below, where the charge locations associated
with each term are indicated:
Enet (a, a, a)
b c
f g
q ff ax + ay + az ay + az ax + az ax + ay g
g
= ˘ + ˘ + ˘ + ˘ + a x + a y + a z
4⇡✏0 a2 f 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 ´Ø¨ ´Ø¨ ´Ø¨g
f´≠≠≠≠≠Ø≠≠≠≠≠¨ ´Ø¨ ´Ø¨ ´Ø¨ (0,a,a) (a,a,0)
g
(a,0,a)
f g
d (0,0,0) (a,0,0) (0,a,0) (0,0,a) e

The force is now the product of this field and the charge at (a, a, a). Simplifying, we obtain

F(a, a, a) = qEnet (a, a, a)

L M
q2 1 1 1.90 q 2
= ˘ + ˘ + 1 a x + a y + a z = ax + ay + az
4⇡✏0 a2 3 3 2 4⇡✏0 a2

in which the magnitude is F = 3.29 q 2 _(4⇡✏0 a2 ).

2.5. A point charge of 3nC is located at (1,1,1) in free space. What charge must be located at (1,3,2) to
cause the y component of E to be zero at the origin?

For two point charges, we may write:

q1 (r * r1® ) q2 (r * r2® )
E= +
4⇡✏0 r * r1® 3 4⇡✏0 r * r2® 3

where q1 = 3nC, and where q2 is to be found. With q1 located at (1,1,1), r1® = ax + ay + az . The
position vector for q2 is then r2® = ax + 3ay + 2az . Because the observation point is at the origin, we
have r = 0. The field now becomes:
4 5
1 *3(ax + ay + az ) *q2 (ax + 3ay + 2az )
E= +
4⇡✏0 (12 + 12 + 12 )3_2 (12 + 32 + 22 )3_2

For a zero y component, we thus find q2 = *(14)3_2 _33_2 = *10.1 nC.

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 2.6. Two point charges of equal magnitude q are positioned at z = ±d_2.

a) find the electric field everywhere on the z axis: For a point charge at any location, we have

q(r * r ® )
E=
4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3

In the case of two charges, we would therefore have

q1 (r * r1® ) q2 (r * r2® )
ET = + (1)
4⇡✏0 r * r1® 3 4⇡✏0 r * r2® 3

In the present case, we assign q1 = q2 = q, the observation point position vector as r = zaz , and
the charge position vectors as r1® = (d_2)az , and r2® = *(d_2)az Therefore

r * r1® = [z * (d_2)]az , r * r2® = [z + (d_2)]az ,

then
r * r1 3 = [z * (d_2)]3 and r * r2 3 = [z + (d_2)]3
Substitute these results into (1) to obtain:
4 5
q 1 1
ET (z) = + a V_m (2)
4⇡✏0 [z * (d_2)]2 [z + (d_2)]2 z

b) find the electric field everywhere on the xy plane: We proceed as in part a, except that now r lies
in the xy plane. For simplicity, we can choose the x axis on which to evaluate the field, so that
r = xax . Eq. (1) becomes
4 5
q xax * (d_2)az xax + (d_2)az
ET (x) = + (3)
4⇡✏0 xax * (d_2)az 3 xax + (d_2)az 3

where ⌅ ⇧1_2
xax * (d_2)az  = xax + (d_2)az  = x2 + (d_2)2
Therefore (3) becomes
2qx ax
ET (x) = ⌅ ⇧3_2
4⇡✏0 x2 + (d_2)2
This result can be generalized to apply anywhere in the xy plane by noting that the problem
exhibits cylindrical symmetry – any rotation of the x axis about the z axis will produce no change.
Therefore, we may use cylindrical coordinates, and replace the x variable by the radial variable
⇢, and use a⇢ instead of ax . The field then becomes:

2q⇢ a⇢
ET (⇢) = ⌅ ⇧3_2
4⇡✏0 ⇢2 + (d_2)2

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 2.7. Two point charges of equal magnitude but of opposite sign are positioned with charge +q at z = d_2,
and charge *q at z = *d_2. The pair form an electric dipole.

a) Find the electric field intensity everywhere on the z axis: For the two charges we would write in
general:
q(r * r+® ) q(r * r*® )
E= *
4⇡✏0 r * r+® 3 4⇡✏0 r * r*® 3
where r = zaz , r+® = +d_2 az , and r*® = *d_2 az . Using these substitutions, we find:
L M
q (z * d2 )az (z + d2 )az
E= *
4⇡✏0 z * d2 3 z + d2 3

b) Evaluate your part a result at the origin: We set z = 0 in the above result to obtain
*2q az ⌧ 2 2 *2q az
E(z = 0) = = as expected
4⇡✏0 d ⇡✏0 d 2

c) Find the electric field intensity everywhere on the xy plane, expressing your result as a function
of radius ⇢ in cylindrical coordinates: This will begin with the same initial setup as in part a,
except now r = ⇢a⇢ describes the observation point in the xy plane. With this change, we have
4 5
q ⇢a⇢ * (d_2)az ⇢a⇢ + (d_2)az *qd az
E= * 2 =
4⇡✏0 [⇢ + (d_2) ]
2 2 3_2 [⇢ + (d_2) ]
2 3_2 4⇡✏0 [⇢ + (d_2)2 ]3_2
2

d) Evaluate your part c result at the origin: Setting ⇢ = 0 in the part c expression, we find:
*2q az
E(⇢ = 0) = as in part b, * and as expected
⇡✏0 d 2

e) Simplify your part c result for the case in which ⇢ >> d: With this requirement, we find
. *qd az
E(⇢ >> d) =
4⇡✏0 ⇢3

2.8. A crude device for measuring charge consists of two small insulating spheres of radius a, one of which
is fixed in position. The other is movable along the x axis, and is subject to a restraining force kx,
where k is a spring constant. The uncharged spheres are centered at x = 0 and x = d, the latter fixed.
If the spheres are given equal and opposite charges of Q coulombs:

a) Obtain the expression by which Q may be found as a function of x: The spheres will attract, and
so the movable sphere at x = 0 will move toward the other until the spring and Coulomb forces
balance. This will occur at location x for the movable sphere. With equal and opposite forces,
we have
Q2
= kx
4⇡✏0 (d * x)2
˘
from which Q = 2(d * x) ⇡✏0 kx.

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 2.8 b) Determine the maximum charge that can be measured in terms of ✏0 , k, and d, and state the
separation of the spheres then:
With increasing charge, the spheres move toward each other until they just touch at xmax = d * 2a.
˘
Using the part a result, we find the maximum measurable charge: Qmax = 4a ⇡✏0 k(d * 2a).
Presumably some form of stop mechanism is placed at x = x* max to prevent the spheres from
actually touching.
c) What happens if a larger charge is applied? No further motion is possible, so nothing happens.

2.9. A 100 nC point charge is located at A(*1, 1, 3) in free space.

a) Find the locus of all points P (x, y, z) at which Ex = 500 V/m: The total field at P will be:

100 ù 10*9 RAP

EP =
4⇡✏0 RAP 3

where RAP = (x+1)ax +(y*1)ay +(z*3)az , and where RAP  = [(x+1)2 +(y*1)2 +(z*3)2 ]1_2 .
The x component of the field will be
4 5
100 ù 10*9 (x + 1)
Ex = = 500 V_m
4⇡✏0 [(x + 1)2 + (y * 1)2 + (z * 3)2 ]1.5
And so our condition becomes:

(x + 1) = 0.56 [(x + 1)2 + (y * 1)2 + (z * 3)2 ]1.5

b) Find y1 if P (0, y1 , 3) lies on that locus: At point P , the condition of part a becomes
⌅ ⇧3
3.19 = 1 + (y1 * 1)2

from which (y1 * 1)2 = 0.47, or y1 = 1.69 or 0.31

2.10. A configuration of point charges consists of a single charge of value *2q at the origin, and two charges
of value +q at locations z = *d and +d. The charges as positioned form an electric quadrupole,
equivalent to two dipoles of opposite orientation that are separated by distance d along the z axis.

a) Find the electric field intensity E everywhere in the xy plane, expressing your result as a function
of cylindrical radius ⇢: We begin by applying the general formula for the point charge field, where
the three terms apply to the three charges:
® ® ®
q(r * rupper )
q(r * rlower ) 2q(r * rmiddle )
E= ®
* ®
+
4⇡✏0 r * rlower 3 4⇡✏0 r * rmiddle 3 4⇡✏0 r * rupper
® 3
®
The position vectors will be r = ⇢a⇢ , rlower ®
= *daz , rupper ®
= +daz , and rmiddle = 0. With these
substitutions, the field expression becomes:
4 5 4 5
q ⇢a⇢ + daz 2⇢a⇢ ⇢a⇢ * daz *qa⇢ 1
E= * 3 + 2 = 1*
4⇡✏0 (⇢2 + d 2 )3_2 ⇢ (⇢ + d 2 )3_2 2⇡✏0 ⇢2 (1 + d 2 _⇢2 )3_2

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2.10 b) Specialize your part a result for large distances, ⇢ >> d: Under this condition, we may use the
expansion:

1 *1 *1_2 .
= 1 + d 2 _⇢2 1 + d 2 _⇢2 = 1 * d 2 _⇢2 1 * d 2 _2⇢2
(1 + d 2 _⇢2 )3_2

Carrying out the product and neglecting the term involving d 4 _⇢4 , we find:

. 3 d2
1 * d 2 _⇢2 1 * d 2 _2⇢2 = 1 *
2 ⇢2

from which 4 5
. *qa⇢ 3 d2 *3qd 2 a⇢
E(⇢ >> d) = 1 * 1 + =
2⇡✏0 ⇢2 2 ⇢2 4⇡✏0 ⇢4

2.11. A charge Q0 located at the origin in free space produces a field for which Ez = 1 kV/m at point
P (*2, 1, *1).

a) Find Q0 : The field at P will be

4 5
Q0 *2ax + ay * az
EP =
4⇡✏0 61.5

Since the z component is of value 1 kV/m, we find Q0 = *4⇡✏0 61.5 ù 103 = *1.63 C.

b) Find E at M(1, 6, 5) in cartesian coordinates: This field will be:

4 5
*1.63 ù 10*6 ax + 6ay + 5az
EM =
4⇡✏0 [1 + 36 + 25]1.5

or EM = *30.11ax * 180.63ay * 150.53az .

˘
c) Find E at M(1, 6, 5) in cylindrical coordinates: At M, ⇢ = 1 + 36 = 6.08, = tan*1 (6_1) =
80.54˝ , and z = 5. Now

E⇢ = EM a⇢ = *30.11 cos * 180.63 sin = *183.12

E = EM a = *30.11(* sin ) * 180.63 cos = 0 (as expected)

so that EM = *183.12a⇢ * 150.53az .
˘
d) Find E at M(1, 6, 5) in spherical coordinates: At M, r = 1 + 36 + 25 = 7.87, = 80.54˝ (as
before), and ✓ = cos*1 (5_7.87) = 50.58˝ . Now, since the charge is at the origin, we expect to
obtain only a radial component of EM . This will be:

Er = EM ar = *30.11 sin ✓ cos * 180.63 sin ✓ sin * 150.53 cos ✓ = *237.1

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2.12. Electrons are in random motion in a fixed region in space. During any 1 s interval, the probability of
finding an electron in a subregion of volume 10*15 m2 is 0.27. What volume charge density, appropriate
for such time durations, should be assigned to that subregion?

The finite probabilty effectively reduces the net charge quantity by the probability fraction. With
e = *1.602 ù 10*19 C, the density becomes

0.27 ù 1.602 ù 10*19

⇢v = * = *43.3 C_m3
10*15

2.13. A uniform volume charge density of 0.2 C_m3 is present throughout the spherical shell extending
from r = 3 cm to r = 5 cm. If ⇢v = 0 elsewhere:

a) find the total charge present throughout the shell: This will be
2⇡ ⇡ .05 4 5.05
2 r3
Q= 0.2 r sin ✓ dr d✓ d = 4⇡(0.2) = 8.21 ù 10*5 C = 82.1 pC
0 0 .03 3 .03

b) find r1 if half the total charge is located in the region 3 cm < r < r1 : If the integral over r in part
a is taken to r1 , we would obtain
4 5r
r3 1
4⇡(0.2) = 4.105 ù 10*5
3 .03

Thus 4 51_3
3 ù 4.105 ù 10*5
r1 = + (.03)3 = 4.24 cm
0.2 ù 4⇡

2.14. The electron beam in a certain cathode ray tube possesses cylindrical symmetry, and the charge den-
sity is represented by ⇢v = *0.1_(⇢2 + 10*8 ) pC_m3 for 0 < ⇢ < 3 ù 10*4 m, and ⇢v = 0 for
⇢ > 3 ù 10*4 m.

a) Find the total charge per meter along the length of the beam: We integrate the charge density
over the cylindrical volume having radius 3 ù 10*4 m, and length 1m.
1 2⇡ 3ù10*4
*0.1
q= ⇢ d⇢ d dz
0 0 0 (⇢2 + 10*8 )
From integral tables, this evaluates as
⇠ ⇡ *4
1 Û3ù10
q = *0.2⇡ ln ⇢2 + 10*8 Û = 0.1⇡ ln(10) = *0.23⇡ pC_m
2 Û0

b) if the electron velocity is 5ù107 m/s, and with one ampere defined as 1C/s, find the beam current:

Current = charge_mùv = *0.23⇡ [pC_m]ù5ù107 [m_s] = *11.5⇡ù106 [pC_s] = *11.5⇡ A

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2.15. A spherical volume having a 2 m radius contains a uniform volume charge density of 105 C_m3 .

a) What total charge is enclosed in the spherical volume?

This will be Q = (4_3)⇡(2 ù 10*6 )3 ù 105 = 3.35 ù 10*12 C.

b) Now assume that a large region contains one of these little spheres at every corner of a cubical
grid 3mm on a side, and that there is no charge between spheres. What is the average volume
charge density throughout this large region? Each cube will contain the equivalent of one little
sphere. Neglecting the little sphere volume, the average density becomes
3.35 ù 10*12
⇢v,avg = = 1.24 ù 10*4 C_m3
(0.003)3

2.16. Within a region of free space, charge density is given as ⇢v = ⇢0 r_a cos ✓ C_m3 , where ⇢0 and a are
constants. Find the total charge lying within:

a) the sphere, r f a: This will be

2⇡ ⇡ a
⇢0 r
Qa = cos ✓ r2 sin ✓ dr d✓ d = 0
0 0 0 a
It is the integral over ✓, performed first, that gives the zero result.
b) the cone, r f a, 0 f ✓ f 0.1⇡:
2⇡ 0.1⇡ a
⇢0 r ⇢ a3 ⌅ ⇧
Qb = cos ✓ r2 sin ✓ dr d✓ d = ⇡ 0 1 * cos2 (0.1⇡) = 0.024⇡⇢0 a3
0 0 0 a 4

c) the region, r f a, 0 f ✓ f 0.1⇡, 0 f f 0.2⇡.

0.2⇡ 0.1⇡ a ⇠ ⇡
⇢0 r 0.2⇡
Qc = cos ✓ r2 sin ✓ dr d✓ d = 0.024⇡⇢0 a3 = 0.0024⇡⇢0 a3
0 0 0 a 2⇡

2.17. A length d of line charge lies on the z axis in free space. The charge density on the line is
⇢L = +⇢0 C/m (0 < z < d_2) and ⇢L = *⇢0 C/m (*d_2 < z < 0), where ⇢0 is a positive constant.

a) Find the electric field intensity E everywhere in the xy plane, expressing your result as a function
of cylindrical radius ⇢: Begin by constructing the differential field at radius ⇢ in the xy plane that
arises from a point charge dq = ⇢L dz on the z axis. To do this, use the general expression:
dq(r * r ® )
dE =
4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3
where in this case, r = ⇢a⇢ and r ® = zaz . With these substitutions, we find
±⇢0 dz(⇢a⇢ * zaz )
dE =
4⇡✏0 (⇢2 * z2 )3_2
where the positive sign applies to the region z > 0; the negative sign to z < 0. The total field at
radius ⇢ is then found by integrating dE over the total charge length:
0 *⇢0 dz(⇢a⇢ * zaz ) +d_2 +⇢0 dz(⇢a⇢ * zaz )
E= +
*d_2 4⇡✏0 (⇢2 * z2 )3_2 0 4⇡✏0 (⇢2 * z2 )3_2

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2.17. a) (continued) Note that the radial component will integrate to zero through odd parity, leaving only
the z component, as would be expected. The integral simplifies to:
L M
d_2
*⇢0 zaz dz ⇢0 az Ûd_2 *⇢0 az 1
E=2 = Û = 1* ˘
0 4⇡✏0 (⇢2 + z2 )3_2 2⇡✏0 (⇢2 + z2 )1_2 Û0 2⇡✏0 ⇢ 1 + (d_2⇢)2

b) Simplify your part a result for the case in which radius ⇢ >> d, and express this result in terms
of charge q = ⇢0 d_2: At large radii, we can use the binomial expansion to the first two terms:
0 12
1 . 1 d
˘ = 1*
1 + (d_2⇢)2 2 2⇢

with which
. *⇢0 d 2 *qd
E = az = az
16⇡✏0 ⇢3 4⇡✏0 ⇢3
where q = ⇢0 d_2.
2.18. a) Find E in the plane z = 0 that is produced by a uniform line charge, ⇢L , extending along the z
axis over the range *L < z < L in a cylindrical coordinate system: We find E through
L
⇢L dz(r * r ® )
E=
*L 4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3

where the observation point position vector is r = ⇢a⇢ (anywhere in the x-y plane), and where
the position vector that locates any differential charge element on the z axis is r ® = zaz . So
r * r ® = ⇢a⇢ * zaz , and r * r ®  = (⇢2 + z2 )1_2 . These relations are substituted into the integral
to yield:
L ⇢ dz(⇢a * za )
L ⇢ z ⇢L ⇢ a⇢ L dz
E= = = E⇢ a⇢
*L 4⇡✏ 0 (⇢ 2 + z2 )3_2 4⇡✏ 0 *L (⇢ 2 + z2 )3_2

Note that the second term in the left-hand integral (involving zaz ) has effectively vanished be-
cause it produces equal and opposite sign contributions when the integral is taken over symmetric
limits (odd parity). Evaluating the integral results in
⇢L ⇢ z ÛL ⇢L L ⇢L 1
E⇢ = ˘ Û = ˘ = ˘
4⇡✏0 ⇢2 ⇢2 + z2 Û *L 2⇡✏0 ⇢ ⇢2 + L2 2⇡✏0 ⇢ 1 + (⇢_L)2

Note that as L ô ÿ, the expression reduces to the expected field of the infinite line charge in
free space, ⇢L _(2⇡✏0 ⇢).

b) if the finite line charge is approximated by an infinite line charge (L ô ÿ), by what percentage
is E⇢ in error if ⇢ = 0.5L? The percent error in this situation will be
L M
1
% error = 1 * ˘ ù 100
1 + (⇢_L)2

For ⇢ = 0.5L, this becomes % error = 10.6 %

c) repeat b with ⇢ = 0.1L. For this value, obtain % error = 0.496 %.

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2.19. A line having charge density ⇢0 z C/m and of length l is oriented along the z axis at *l_2 < z < l_2.

a) Find the electric field intensity E everywhere in the xy plane, expressing your result in cylindrical
coordinates: As the problem exhibits cylindrical symmetry, we may write the position vector for
the observation point in the xy plane as r = ⇢a⇢ . Then, with r ® = zaz , we may write
l_2
⇢L (z)dz(r * r ® ) l_2 ⇢0 zdz(⇢a⇢ * zaz )
E= =
*l_2 4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3 *l_2 4⇡✏0 (⇢2 + z2 )3_2
Note that the second term in the integrand (the z component) is zero, because of odd parity.
We are left with
⇢0 ⇢ a⇢ l_2
zdz 2⇢0 ⇢ a⇢ l_2
zdz *⇢0 ⇢ a⇢ 1 Ûl_2
E= = = Û
4⇡✏0 *l_2 (⇢2 + z2 )3_2 4⇡✏0 0 (⇢2 + z2 )3_2 2⇡✏0 (⇢2 + z2 )1_2 Û0

Evaluating the limits the final result can be written as

L M
⇢ 0 a⇢ 1
E= 1* ˘ V_m
2⇡✏0 1 * (l_2⇢)2

b) Evaluate your result of part a in the limit as l (not z) approaches infinity: In this limit, the second
term in the bracket tends to zero, and we have
⇢ 0 a⇢
E(l ô ÿ) = V_m
2⇡✏0
thus exhibiting no radial variation!

2.20. A line charge of uniform charge density ⇢0 C_m and of length l, is oriented along the z axis at
*l_2 < z < l_2.

a) Find the electric field strength, E, in magnitude and direction at any position along the x axis:
This follows the method in Problem 2.18. We find E through
l_2
⇢0 dz(r * r ® )
E=
*l_2 4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3
where the observation point position vector is r = xax (anywhere on the x axis), and where
the position vector that locates any differential charge element on the z axis is r ® = zaz . So
r * r ® = xax * zaz , and r * r ®  = (x2 + z2 )1_2 . These relations are substituted into the integral
to yield:
l_2
⇢0 dz(xax * zaz ) ⇢0 x ax l_2 dz
E= = = Ex ax
*l_2 4⇡✏0 (x + z )
2 2 3_2 4⇡✏0 *l_2 (x + z2 )3_2
2

Note that the second term in the left-hand integral (involving zaz ) has effectively vanished be-
cause it produces equal and opposite sign contributions when the integral is taken over symmetric
limits (odd parity). Evaluating the integral results in
⇢0 x z Ûl_2 ⇢0 l_2 ⇢0 1
Ex = ˘ Û = ˘ = ˘
4⇡✏0 x2 x2 + z2 Û*l_2 2⇡✏0 x x2 + (l_2)2 2⇡✏0 x 1 + (2x_l)2

23
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2.20. b) with the given line charge in position, find the force acting on an identical line charge that is
oriented along the x axis at l_2 < x < 3l_2: The differential force on an element of the x-
directed line charge will be dF = dqE = (⇢0 dx)E, where E is the field as determined in part
a. The net force is then the integral of the differential force over the length of the horizontal line
charge, or
3l_2 ⇢20 1
F= ˘ dx ax
l_2 2⇡✏ 0 x 1 + (2x_l)2
This can be re-written and then evaluated using integral tables as
L ˘ M3l_2
⇢20 l ax 3l_2 dx *⇢20 l ax ` 1 l_2 + x 2 + (l_2)2 a
F= ˘ = r ln s
4⇡✏0 l_2 x x2 + (l_2)2 4⇡✏0 r (l_2) x s
p l_2 q
⇠ ˘ ⇡c
b L ˘ M
*⇢20 ax f (l_2) 1 + 10 g ⇢20 ax 3(1 + 2) 0.55⇢20
= ln f ⇠ ˘ ⇡g = ln ˘ = a N
2⇡✏0 f 3(l_2) 1 + 2 g 2⇡✏0 1 + 10 2⇡✏0 x
d e

2.21. A charged filament forms a circle of radius a in the xy plane with center at the origin. The filament
carries uniform line charge density +⇢0 C/m for *⇡_2 < < ⇡_2, and *⇢0 C/m for ⇡_2 < < 3⇡_2.
Find the electric field intensity at the origin:
The field at the origin arising from a differential length ad of charge on the ring will be
±⇢0 ad
dEo = a⇢
4⇡✏0 a2
where the positive sign applies to the negative charge contribution, the negative sign to the positive
charge contribution. Now the total field will be the piecewise integral of the differential field over the
two semi-circles. Using a⇢ = cos ax + sin ay (as is required to include all dependence), we have
3⇡_2
⇡_2
*⇢0 d +⇢0 d
Eo = (cos ax + sin ay ) + (cos ax + sin ay )
*⇡_2 4⇡✏0 a ⇡_2 4⇡✏0 a
Noting that the two terms in the above expression are equal to each other, we may evaluate the first
integral and introduce a factor of 2:
b c
*2⇢0 f f g *⇢0 ax
Û⇡_2 Û⇡_2
Eo = sin Û ax * cos Û ay g = V_m
4⇡✏0 a f Û*⇡_2 Û*⇡_2 g ⇡✏0 a
f´≠≠Ø≠≠¨ ´≠≠Ø≠≠¨ g
d 2 0 e

2.22. Two identical uniform sheet charges with ⇢s = 100 nC_m2 are located in free space at z = ±2.0 cm.
What force per unit area does each sheet exert on the other?

The field from the top sheet is E = *⇢s _(2✏0 ) az V/m. The differential force produced by this
field on the bottom sheet is the charge density on the bottom sheet times the differential area
there, multiplied by the electric field from the top sheet: dF = ⇢s daE. The force per unit area is
then just F = ⇢s E = (100 ù 10*9 )(*100 ù 10*9 )_(2✏0 ) az = *5.6 ù 10*4 az N_m2 .

24
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2.23. A disk of radius a in the xy plane carries surface charge of density ⇢s = ⇢0 _⇢, where ⇢0 is a constant.
Find the electric field strength, E, everywhere on the z axis.

We find the field through

⇢s da(r * r ® )
E=
4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3
where the integral is taken over the surface of the disk, and where r = zaz and r ® = ⇢a⇢ . The
integral then becomes
2⇡ a (⇢0 _⇢) ⇢ d⇢ d zaz * ⇢a⇢
E=
0 0 4⇡✏0 (z2 + ⇢2 )3_2

In evaluating this integral, we need to introduce the dependence in a⇢ by writing it as a⇢ =

cos ax + sin ay , where ax and ay are invariant in their orientation as varies. So the integral
now simplifies to
L Ma
2⇡⇢0 z az ÿ d⇢ 2⇡⇢0 z az ⇢ 2⇡a⇢0 az
E= = ˘ =
4⇡✏0 0 (z2 + ⇢2 )3_2 4⇡✏0 z2 z2 + ⇢2 4⇡✏0 z2 [1 + (a_z)2 ]1_2
⇢=0

2.24. a) Find the electric field on the z axis produced by an annular ring of uniform surface charge density
⇢s in free space. The ring occupies the region z = 0, a f ⇢ f b, 0 f f 2⇡ in cylindrical
coordinates: We find the field through

⇢s da(r * r ® )
E=
4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3

where the integral is taken over the surface of the annular ring, and where r = zaz and r ® = ⇢a⇢ .
The integral then becomes
2⇡ b ⇢s ⇢ d⇢ d zaz * ⇢a⇢
E=
0 a 4⇡✏0 (z2 + ⇢2 )3_2

In evaluating this integral, we first note that the term involving ⇢a⇢ integrates to zero over the
integration range of 0 to 2⇡. This is because we need to introduce the dependence in a⇢
by writing it as a⇢ = cos ax + sin ay , where ax and ay are invariant in their orientation as
varies. So the integral now simplifies to
L Mb
2⇡⇢s z az b ⇢ d⇢ ⇢s z az *1
E= = ˘
4⇡✏0 a (z + ⇢ )
2 2 3_2 2✏0 z2 + ⇢ 2 a
L M
⇢ 1 1
= s ˘ *˘ az
2✏0 1 + (a_z)2 1 + (b_z)2

b) from your part a result, obtain the field of an infinite uniform sheet charge by taking appropriate
limits. The infinite sheet is obtained by letting a ô 0 and b ô ÿ, in which case E ô ⇢s _(2✏0 ) az
as expected.

25
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2.25. A disk of radius a in the xy plane carries surface charge of density ⇢s1 = +⇢s0 _⇢ C_m2 for 0 < < ⇡,
and ⇢s2 = *⇢s0 _⇢ C_m2 for ⇡ < < 2⇡, where ⇢s0 is a constant.

a) Find the electric field intensity E everywhere on the

z axis: z

With the setup shown at right, the field can be found z

through the general relation

⇢s da(r * r ® ) r-r
E= r
disk area 4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3

where r = zaz and r ® = ⇢a⇢ . Because the charge is

ρs2 ρs1
-dependent, we need to include the dependence
y
in all terms. This means that we must use a⇢ = r da
ax cos +ay sin . Then, with r*r ® 3 = (z2 +⇢2 )3_2
and with the positive and negative charges accounted
for, the integral is performed piecewise over the two x
halves of the disk:

⇡ a +(⇢s0 _⇢)[zaz * ⇢ cos ax * ⇢ sin ay ] ⇢d⇢d

E=
0 0 4⇡✏0 (z2 + ⇢2 )3_2
2⇡ a *(⇢s0 _⇢)[zaz * ⇢ cos ax * ⇢ sin ay ] ⇢d⇢d
+
⇡ 0 4⇡✏0 (z2 + ⇢2 )3_2
Noting that the z components will cancel, and performing the integration first, we find:
⌅ ⇧
a * sin ⇡ a + cos ⇡ a + sin 2⇡ a * cos 2⇡
⇢s0 0 x 0 y ⇡ x ⇡ ay ⇢d⇢
E=
4⇡✏0 0 (z + ⇢ )
2 2 3_2
4 5a L M
*4⇢s0 ay a
⇢d⇢ *⇢s0 ay *1 *⇢s0 ay 1
= = = 1* ˘
4⇡✏0 0 (z + ⇢ )
2 2 3_2 ⇡✏0 (z2 + ⇢2 )3_2 0 ⇡✏0 z 1 + a2 _z2

.
b) Specialize your part a result for distances z >> a: With this condition we have (1 + a2 _z2 )*1_2 =
1 * a2 _2z2 and thus
4 5
. *⇢s0 ay a2 *⇢s0 a2 ay
E(z >> a) = 1*1+ 2 =
⇡✏0 z 2z 2⇡✏0 z3

Note the inverse distance cubed dependence that is characteristic of a dipole field.

26
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2.26 a) Find the electric field intensity on the z axis produced by a cone surface that carries charge density
⇢s (r) = ⇢0 _r C_m2 in free space. The cone has its vertex at the origin and occupies the region
✓ = ↵, 0 < r < a, and 0 < < 2⇡ in spherical coordinates. Differential area in spherical
coordinates is given as da = r sin ↵drd : E is found using the general surface integral
⇢s da(r * r ® )
E=
cone 4⇡✏0 r * r ® 3

where in this case r = zaz and r ® = rar .

⌅ ⇧1_2 ⌅ ⇧1_2 ˘
Then r * r ®  = (r * r ® ) (r * r ® ) = (zaz * rar ) (zaz * rar ) = z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 ,
where az ar = cos ↵ has been used. The integral now becomes:
2⇡ a
(⇢0 _r)r sin ↵drd (zaz * rar )
E=
0 0 4⇡✏0 (z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 )3_2
It is necessary to include the dependence in ar .
We substitute ar = sin ↵ cos ax + sin ↵ sin ay + cos ↵az . The first two terms of this, involving
sin and cos , will integrate to zero when taking from 0 to 2⇡. Only the z component survives,
and the integral becomes, after performing the integration:
a
⇢0 sin ↵(z * r cos ↵)dr az
E = 2⇡
4⇡✏0 (z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 )3_2
0
4 5
2⇡⇢0 sin ↵az a zdr r cos ↵dr
= *
4⇡✏0 0 (z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 )3_2 (z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 )3_2
The two integrals evaluate as
a
zdr (r * z cos ↵)z Ûa
= Û
0 (z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r )
2 3_2
z2 sin ↵(z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 )1_2 Û0
2

a
r cos ↵dr *(z * r cos ↵)z cos ↵ Ûa
= Û
0 (z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 )3_2 z2 sin2 ↵(z2 * 2rz cos ↵ + r2 )1_2 Û0
Combining these, cancelling terms, and rearranging, finally leads to
2⇡a⇢0 sin ↵ az
E=
4⇡✏0 z(z2 * 2az cos ↵ + a2 )1_2

b) Find the total charge on the cone: This will be

2⇡ a
⇢0
Qc = ⇢s da = r sin ↵ drd = 2⇡a⇢0 sin ↵
cone 0 0 r

c) Specialize your result of part a to the case in which ↵ = 90˝ , at which the cone flattens to a disk
in the xy plane. Compare this result to the answer to Problem 2.23.
When ↵ = 90˝ , cos ↵ = 0, and the field expression in part a can be expressed as:
2⇡a⇢0 az
E(↵ = 0) =
4⇡✏0 z2 [1 + (a_z)2 ]1_2
which is the same result as found in Problem 2.23.

27
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2.26 d) Show that your part a result becomes a point charge field when z >> a.
Using the expression for the total charge as found in part b, and rearranging terms, the field of
part a takes the form:
Qc az . Qc az
E= = (z >> a)
4⇡✏0 z2 [1 * (2a_z) cos ↵ + (a_z)2 ]1_2 4⇡✏0 z2

where we recognize the second equality as the point charge field.

e) Show that your part a result becomes an inverse-z-dependent E field when z << a.
.
If z << a, we have [1 * (2a_z) cos ↵ + (a_z)2 ]1_2 = a_z and thus
Qc az . Q aa
E= = c z
4⇡✏0 z2 [1 * (2a_z) cos ↵ + (a_z)2 ]1_2 4⇡✏0 z

2.27. Given the electric field E = (4x * 2y)ax * (2x + 4y)ay , find:

a) the equation of the streamline that passes through the point P (2, 3, *4): We write

dy Ey *(2x + 4y)
= =
dx Ex (4x * 2y)

Thus
2(x dy + y dx) = y dy * x dx
or
1 1
2 d(xy) = d(y2 ) * d(x2 )
2 2
So
1 1
C1 + 2xy = y2 * x2
2 2
or
y2 * x2 = 4xy + C2
Evaluating at P (2, 3, *4), obtain:

9 * 4 = 24 + C2 , or C2 = *19

Finally, at P , the requested equation is

y2 * x2 = 4xy * 19

b) a unit vector specifying the direction of E at Q(3, *2, 5): Have EQ = [4(3) + 2(2)]ax * [2(3) *
˘
4(2)]ay = 16ax + 2ay . Then E = 162 + 4 = 16.12 So

16ax + 2ay
aQ = = 0.99ax + 0.12ay
16.12

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2.28 An electric dipole (discussed in detail in Sec. 4.7) consists of two point charges of equal and opposite
magnitude ±Q spaced by distance d. With the charges along the z axis at positions z = ±d_2 (with
the positive
⌅ charge at the⇧ ⌅positive z location),⇧ the electric field in spherical coordinates is given by
E(r, ✓) = Qd_(4⇡✏0 r3 ) 2 cos ✓ar + sin ✓a✓ , where r >> d. Using rectangular coordinates, deter-
mine expressions for the vector force on a point charge of magnitude q:

a) at (0, 0, z): Here, ✓ = 0, ar = az , and r = z. Therefore

qQd az
F(0, 0, z) = N
4⇡✏0 z3

b) at (0, y, 0): Here, ✓ = 90˝ , a✓ = *az , and r = y. The force is

*qQd az
F(0, y, 0) = N
4⇡✏0 y3

2.29. If E = 20e*5y cos 5xax * sin 5xay , find:

a) E at P (⇡_6, 0.1, 2): Substituting this point, we obtain EP = *10.6ax * 6.1ay , and so EP  =
12.2.

b) a unit vector in the direction of EP : The unit vector associated with E is cos 5xax * sin 5xay ,
which evaluated at P becomes aE = *0.87ax * 0.50ay .

c) the equation of the direction line passing through P : Use

dy * sin 5x
= = * tan 5x Ÿ dy = * tan 5x dx
dx cos 5x
1
Thus y = 5
ln cos 5x + C. Evaluating at P , we find C = 0.13, and so

1
y= ln cos 5x + 0.13
5

2.30. For fields that do not vary with z in cylindrical coordinates, the equations of the streamlines are ob-
tained by solving the differential equation E⇢ _E = d⇢(⇢d ). Find the equation of the line passing
through the point (2, 30˝ , 0) for the field E = ⇢ cos 2 a⇢ * ⇢ sin 2 a :

E⇢ d⇢ *⇢ cos 2 d⇢
= = = * cot 2 Ÿ = * cot 2 d
E ⇢d ⇢ sin 2 ⇢
Integrate to obtain
4 5
C C
2 ln ⇢ = ln sin 2 + ln C = ln Ÿ ⇢2 =
sin 2 sin 2
˘
At the given point, we have
˘ 4 = C_ sin(60˝ ) Ÿ C = 4 sin 60˝ = 2 3. Finally, the equation for

the streamline is ⇢2 = 2 3_ sin 2 .

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