Electric field due to a spherical charged shell (direct integration)

dimanche 29 juin 2014

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Find the electric field a distance z from the center of a spherical surface of radius R which carries a uniform density σ. Treat the case z<R (inside) as well as z>R (outside). Express the answers in terms of the total charge q on the sphere.



2. Relevant equations

[itex] E = \int \frac{dq~\hat({r-r'})}{(r-r')^2} [/itex]

where r is the vector from origin to the point where electric field will be evaluated and

r' is the vector from origin to the location of dq (source of electric field)



Let [itex] r-r' = ζ [/itex]



3. The attempt at a solution

(Attached is the sketch of the figure for reference.)



We treat it as a hollow thin shell and divide it in into infinitesimal dA. In spherical coordinates,

[itex] dA = R^2~sinθ~dθdψ [/itex]

[itex] dq = σdA [/itex]

[itex] dA =σ R^2~sinθ~dθdψ [/itex]



Also, the ζ vector is just

[itex]ζ^2=z^2+R^2 - 2Rz cosθ[/itex] via cosine law



Clearly, the total electric field felt at point p (a distance z) above the sphere is just in the z direction since the other components cancel. Therefore,

[itex]E_{tot} = E \hat{z} [/itex]

[itex]E_{tot} = E sin ω [/itex]

[itex]E_{tot} = E \frac {z-Rcosθ}{ζ} [/itex]



Electric field therefore is

[itex] E = \int \frac{dq~\hat{ζ}}{ζ^2} [/itex]

[itex] E = \frac{1}{4πε_o}\int\frac{σR^2~sinθdθdψ}{z^2+R^2-2Rzcosθ}\frac{z-Rcosθ}{\sqrt{z^2+R^2-2Rzcosθ}} [/itex]



since [itex]\int_0^{2π} = ψ~dψ = 2π [/itex]

and if we let u = Rcos du = -Rsinθ dθ

and noting that u=1 when θ=0 and u=-1 when θ=π



[itex]E = \frac{2πσR^2}{4πε_oR}~\int_{-1}^{1}\frac{(z-u)du}{(z^2+r^2-2Rzu)^\frac{3}{2}}[/itex]



Now, how do I integrate this? Any ideas? Thanks a lot. :biggrin:




Attached Images





File Type: jpg elecdy sphere.jpg (92.6 KB)







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