PH181002 Tutorial–05 14/02/2024
1. A thick spherical shell carries charge density
k
ρ= (a ≤ r ≤ b)
r2
⃗
Find the electric field in the three regions (i) r < a (ii) a < r < b (iii) b < r. Plot E
as a function of z.
2. A slab of insulating material has a nonuniform positive charge density ρ = Cx2 , where
x is measured from the center of the slab, and C is a constant. The slab is infinite in
the y and z directions and has thickness d in x direction. Derive expressions for the
electric field in (a) the exterior regions (x < − d2 and d2 < x) and (b) the interior region
of the slab (− d2 < x < d2 )
3. A rod of length l located along the x axis has a total charge Q and a uniform linear
charge density λ = Q/L. Find the electric potential at a point P located on the y axis
a distance a from the origin.
4. A long coaxial cable carries a uniform volume charge density ρ on the inner cylinder
(radius a), and a uniform surface charge density on the outer cylindrical shell (radius
b). The surface charge is negative and is of just the right magnitude that the cable
as a whole is electrically neutral. Find the potential in each of the three regions: (i)
inside the inner cylinder (s < a), (ii) between the cylinders (a < s < b), (iii) outside
⃗ as a function of s.
the cable (s > b). Plot |E|
1
PH181002 Tutorial–05 14/02/2024
5. Find the potential inside and outside a uniformly charged solid sphere whose radius
is R and whose total charge is q. Use infinity as your reference point. Compute the
gradient of V in each region and verify that it gives the correct electric field. Sketch
V (r). (Use the formula for the potential. Do not use the electric field to find the
potential.)
6. A conical surface (an empty ice-cream cone) carries a uniform surface charge σ. The
height of the cone is h, as is the radius of the top. Find the potential difference between
points ⃗a (the vertex) and ⃗b (the center of the top).
7. Find the potential on the axis of a uniformly charged solid cylinder, a distance z from
the center. The length of the cylinder is L, its radius is R, and the charge density is
ρ. Use your result to calculate the electric field at this point. (Assume that z > L/2)
8. Use Gauss’s law to find the field inside and outside a long hollow cylindrical tube,
which carries a uniform surface charge σ. Verify that the result is consistent with the
boundary condition at the surface.
⃗ in = σ ŝ
⃗ out − E
E
ϵ0
9. Determine the potential due to a uniform surface charge on a sphere of radius R
both inside and outside the sphere. Verify that the potential satisfies the boundary
conditions at the surface.
Vout = Vin
∂Vout ∂Vin σ
− = −
∂n ∂n ϵ0
10. Two positive charges qa and qb (equal masses m) are at rest, held together by a string
of length L. Now the string is cut and the particles fly off in opposite direction. How
fast each one is going when they are far apart?