ELECTROMAGNETISM WORKSHOP

1.3. THE GAUSS LAW

1.3.02. A point charge q>0 [C] is surrounded by a closed surface formed by a

conical mantle with radius R [m] and height H [m], and by a concentric semi-spherical surface
with the charge, as observed in the figure. Calculate the electric field flux through
of the conical mantle. Justify your assertions.

qⅇnc
ϕE=
E0

q
q enc =
2

[ ]
q / 2q N m2
ϕE= =
E0 2E c

1.3.04. The region between two infinite parallel planes, separated by a

distance L [m], is uniformly loaded with a density ρ >0 [C/m3], as observed
in the figure. (a) Calculate the flux of E (with its sign) through the cylinder (with caps) of
base area A [m2] as indicated in the figure, assuming that x > L/2. Explain. (b)
Find the electric field (magnitude and direction) both inside and outside.
of this loaded 'brick'. Explain and comment.

qⅇnc
a) ϕ E =
E0

q
p= inc→ q enc= p v enc
v enc

v enc=A ( L−x )
 [ ]
pA(L−x) N m2
ϕE=
E0 c

b) EXTERIOR

qenc
ϕE=
E0

q
p= incenc= p v enc
v enc
v enc=AL

pAL
ϕE= → ϕ E =E2A
E0

[ ]
PAL PL N
=2EA → E=
E0 2E0c

Σgenc

INTERIOR

q
p= enc→ q enc= p v enc
v enc
PAx
=2 E 1A
E0
Px
=E
2E0 1

A
P(l−x )
=2 E 2A
E0

Pl Px
− =E2
2 E 02E0

E=( E 2−E1)
Pl Px Px P l
E= − −
2E02 E 02E0E02
=
( )
−x
 l
P−x
2 ( )N
E=
E0 [ ]
c

1.3.06. The region between two long concentric cylinders with radii R1 [m] and
R2 > R1, it is uniformly charged with a density ρ > 0 [C/m3]. (a) Find the
magnitude and direction of the electric field at any point within this region.
Illustrate and explain what it does. (b) Deduce what charge density λ must have a
infinite straight wire located along its axis, so that a point charge located at
any point outside the distribution is in equilibrium.

q enc
ϕ E =EA=
E0
q enc= p v enc

v inc=pir2l−πR2 l

v enc=πl( r 2−R2 )

A=2πrl

qinc p πl(r 2−R2 )

EA= =
E0 2πrl E0

p( r 2−R2 )
a ¿ E= [ N/C]
2E0r

enc
λ=
l

q enc=

q enc= p v inc
2 2
q inc= pπl( R2−R1)
Σ qenc=0
2 2
Σ qenc= λl+ pπl( R2−R 1)

2 2
λl+ pπl ( R−R=0
2 1 )
2 2
−pπl(R 2−R 1)
λ=
l
2 2
λ=− pπ( R2−R 1)[C /m].

1.3.08. The interior region of a long cylinder with radius R [m] is charged with a density ρ =
0 ρ (1– r/R) [C/m3], where 0 ρ is a positive constant, r is the measured distance
from the axis of the cylinder. Find at what distance from the axis the electric field is maximum and
Calculate this maximum magnitude. Explain.

Qintⅇrior(
∫ I⃗ n⃗ dS=tapas ∫ ⃗ ^ ds+ shell E ∫ n⃗ ^ ds= 1)
E0

r^ n^=0pⅇrpⅇnⅆicularar

shell^ .n ^=1st∫ ^ ^ ds=2πrl(2)

(1) and (2)

Interior
∫ I⃗ n^ ds=shell ∫ ⃗ ^ ds=E2πrl=
E0

dq= p ( r ) dv

v=π r 2 l
dv=2πrl dr

dq= p ( r ) ( 2πrl dr )

∫ dq=2πl P 0 ∫ ( )r2
r− dr
R
q=2πl P0
( r 2r 3
2 3
−
)R
πl P0
3
2 3
q= ( 3Rr−2 r )( )
3R

(3) EN (4)

plP0 2 3
E2πrl= ( 3Rr−2 r )
3R

P0 2 3
E2r= ( 3Rr−2 r )
3R

P0 2
E= ( 3 R r −2r[N/C
) ]
6R E0

It is derived to find the maximum electric field.

dE P0 2
Emax= = ( 3Rr−2 r =0 )
dr6R E0

P0
( 3R−4 r )=0
6R E 0
3R=4 r
3R
=r
4

P0 2

( ( ) ( ))
3R 3R
Emax= 3R −2
6R E0 4 4
 3RP 0
Emax= [ N/C ]
16E0

1.3.10. The figure shows the section of two long cylinders of radius R [m], whose axes
they are separated by a distance of 4R [m]. Through the volume of one of them is distributed
load with a density r ρ α = [C/m3], where α is a positive constant and r is the
distance measured from the axis. Find out with what density σ it should be loaded
evenly the surface of the other cylinder, so that the electric field is null in the
point P, equidistant from its axes

[ ]
C
p=ar 3
r=4R
m
v=π r 2H
ⅆν=2πrH
qⅇnc
⃗
ϕ= ∫Ed⃗ A=
S
E0
r r
q= ∫pV= P2πrH
∫ d r
0 0

r
q= pπH2r∫ d=pπH
r r2
0

pπH r2
E2πrH=
E0
pr
E=
2E0

For r > R p = 2R At point P

p ∞ +gsimc2a+σb2
E= =0
2E0

pα+s2 c−b=0
( 2 2
)
1.3.12. A spherical volume of radius R [m] is charged with a density ρ = 0 ρ (1–
ρ(R) [C/m3], where 0 ρ is a positive constant and r is the distance from its center. (a)
Find the electric field produced by this charge distribution, both inside
as on the outside of it. (b) At what distance Rm from its center is the electric field
maximum? What is this maximum value?

r
(
P=P 01−
R )
4
V = pir3
3

dv=4π r2dr

A=4π r 2

qⅇnc
∫ Eds=
E0

r<R

r
r
∫ dq=P ∫0
0 ( )
1− 4π r2dr
R

r
q=P 0∫ 4π r2−
0
( 4π r3
R )
ⅆr

q=P0
( 4π r3πr4
3
−
R )
 4r
E=
P0pir3
(
2
−
3R )
4π r E0

4R−3 r
E=
P0r
( 3R )
4E0

P0r ( 4R−3 r )
E= [N/C]
12E0

r>R

R
r
∫ dq=P ∫0
0 ( 1− 4πR )r dr
2

R
q=P 0 ∫0 ( 4π r2−
4π r3
R
dr
)
q=P0
( 4π R3πR4
3
−
R )
3

(3)
pR
i
q=P0

E=
P0
( )
πR3
3
4π r 2E0

P0R3
E= [N / C ]
12r2E 0
1.3.14. The figure shows two concentric spheres with radii R [m] and 2R. The
the volume of the first is uniformly charged with a charge density 0 ρ
[C/m3], while in the region between them, charge is distributed with
a density that at each point is inversely proportional to the distance r to the
center (2 R Rr ≤≤), so that the total charge is the same on both
regions. Find the electric field intensity at any point of the
region between the two spheres. Then verify that this is double.
about the interior surface (r = R) than on the exterior (r = 2R).

4 3
4
Q ( R )= rho0 pi R
Q ( r )=P 0 π r3
3 3
Q
ρ0 = Q 4 3
4 3
3
πR
Q ( r )=
4 pi R3 ( 3
πr
)
3
Q (r )
⃗ ⃗
∮EⅆA= Qr3
E0 Q ( r=)
R3

( )
Q ( r ) Q r3
=
E0 E0 R3

( )
Q r3
E= 2 3
4π r E 0R

Qr
E= [ N/C]
4π E0R3

R < r < 2R

Q ( R,2R )= ∫ p ( r ) dV
4
V = pir3
3
dv=4π r2dr

2
Q ( R, 2R=
) ∫ p r( 4π
) r dr

2R
α 2
¿ 4π ∫R r
⋅r dr

¿ 4π
( 4R2 −R 2
2
=4π
) ( )
3R2
2

Q=6π α R 2

Q
α=
6π R2

r
α 2
Q ( R,r )=4π ∫R r
r dr

r
Q
¿ 4π
( 6π R 2 )∫ rdr
R

r
2Q
¿
( )∫ rⅆr
3 R2 R

Q 2 2
¿ ( r −R )
R2

(( ) )
Q r
Q ( R,r )= −1
3R

Q ( r )=Q ( R) +Q ( R,r )

(( ) )
Q r
¿ Q+ −1
3R

2
Q Q r
¿ Q− +
( )
3 3 R
 2
2 Q r
¿ Q+
3 3R ( )
2

( ( ))
1 r
Q ( r )= Q2+
3 R

( ( ( ) ))
2
1 1 r
E= Q2+
4π E0 r 3
2 R

( ( ))
Q r
¿ 2+
12π E0r 2 R

2 2

( )( ( ))
Q r R
¿ 2 R
1+
12π E0 r r

( ( ))
Q R
¿ 1+2
12π E0R 2 r

rho 4 pi
3
R
2

( ( ))
0
3 R
¿ 1+2
12π E0R 2 r

ρ 0R 2

( ( [) ) ]C
R N
E= 1+2
9E0 r

1.3.16. The figure shows two concentric spheres with radii R [m] and 2R. In their
At the center, there is a point charge Q>0 [C]. In the region between them
the charge is distributed with a density that is inversely proportional to the
distance r to the center, so that the electric field is null at the distance r =
3R/2. Find the magnitude and direction of the electric field outside of the
distribution.
Q>0
3R
r=
2
1 Q
dp= dq p=
Input textr is not provided for translation.

pr
sear<aE=
3E0
R < r < 2R
pα3
sear>aE=
3E0r 2

For 0 < r < R E= 0

For R < r < 2R E=0

Stop > 2R

pα3 3
E= α= R
3E0r 2 2

q q Q
p= p= =
A 4π R 4π(2 R )2
2

4 4
Q=PVV= pir3 Q=P π r3
3 3

7
Q
2
4π (2R2)
E=
4 πE0 2
( ) 5
 [ ]
7Q N
E=
20π E0r 2 C

1.3.18. Through the region between two concentric spheres of

A total charge Q [C] with a density ρ [C/m3] is distributed over radios R [m] and 2R.
that is directly proportional to the distance r from the center of the spheres, where
a point charge is located such that the electric field on the surface r
2R is twice that over the surface r = R. Calculate the flux of the electric field.
through the surface of a concentric sphere with radius r = 3R/2

1.3.20. Consider two concentric spherical surfaces with radii R [m] and 2R. A
through the inner volume to the first, a charge is uniformly distributed
total Q [C]. The volume between the two spheres is distributed
load with a density that at each point is inversely proportional to the
square of its distance to the center, so that the field at a distance R/2
the center is the same as at a distance 3R/2. What is the total charge Q' in the
interior of this region? Explain clearly.

R and 2R
1
p=
R2

A=4π R2
 qⅇnc Q
E 1= =
AE0 4π E0 R2

q+ Q
E 2=
16π R2E0
−2 Q −2 Q −2Q
E3 = = =
4π ( ( 3 R ) − ( 2 R ) ) E 0 4 π 5 R( E 02 )
2 2
20π R2E0

q+2 Q 2Q
2
−2
E1 + E316π R E020π R E 0
E 2= =
2 2
q+2Q 2Q 1 q+Q
E 2= 2
− 2
=2
32π R E0 20π R E02π R E 0 ( 16 )
q+2 Q Q 1 6 Q
= =q+2 Q
16 20 20

16Q
q= −2Q
20
Q
q=
4
1.3.22. The two spheres of radius R [m] shown in the figure have their centers
separated by a distance AB = 4R. On the surface of the sphere of the
On the left, a charge Q>0 [C] is distributed uniformly, while on the other
the same load is distributed, but through its volume, with a density that
is directly proportional to the distance r from its center. Calculate the magnitude and
direction of the electric field at points A and B. Justify its development.

kQ
E=
r2
Q Q Q
EA= 2
+ 2
=
(
4π E0 R 4π E04R ) 4π E0R 2
 Q 1
Q=0
EA=
4π E0R2 ( )
16

[ ]
Q N
EA=
64πE0R2 C

[ ]
Q N
HOW E=E=
A B
64π E0R C
2

1.3.24. Inside a sphere of radius R [m], charge is distributed

uniformly with a density ρ [C/m3], except in a spherical cavity
eccentric that contains no charge at all. The position vector of the center of the
The cavity is r0 (see figure). Find the electric field at any point.
inside the cavity, demonstrating that it is uniform, parallel to r0, whose magnitude
it depends on the radii of the sphere and the cavity
dq Q
E= ∫ = r =R0
4π E0 r 24π E0r 2
4
Q= p π R03
3
4
π R03
p
3 R0
E= =P
4π E0R 02 3E0

1.3.26. The figure shows three concentric spherical surfaces, with radii R [m],
2R and 3R. In the center, there is a point charge Q [C], while in the region
Enclosed between the spheres of radii 2R and 3R is a total charge of -Q.
with a density that is inversely proportional to the distance from the center.
How much charge should be evenly distributed between R and 2R for the field
In 2R, is the average of the fields in R and 3R?

q
E=
AE0

A=4π R2
 Q
E 1=
4πEo R2
q +Q q +Q
E 2= =
4π E 0( 2R ) 16π E0 R 2
2

−Q
E3 =
−Q
4π E0 ( ( 3 R ) ¿¿2− ( 2 R )2)= ¿
20π E0R2

E1 + E 3
E 2=
2
q+Q Q Q 1
¿ 2 =
( 2−
16π E0R 4πEo R 20π E0 R
2
) 2

q+Q Q A
2
= 2
− 2
8π E0R 4πEoR 20π E0R

q +Q Q Q
2
= 2
− 2
2π E0R 4πEoR 20π E0R

q+Q Q Q
= −
2 4 5

q 1 1 1
3 (
=Q− −
4 5 2 )
9
q=3 Q
( )
21

9Q
q=
7
 2.1. THE ELECTRIC POTENTIAL OF LINEAR DISTRIBUTIONS

2.1.02. Each of the two perpendicular straight wires of length L [m]

What the figure shows is uniformly charged with a charge Q [C]. Calculate.
the work done by an external agent to move a point charge Q, in
equilibrium, from point A = (L/2,L) to point B = (L/2,L/2).

2.1.04. The figure shows three straight wires of equal length AB = BC = CD

= 2L [m], uniformly loaded with densities λ [C/m], – λ and λ ,
respectively. Calculate the potential difference between points P and Q, being
P the center of square ABCD and Q the midpoint of line segment AD.

We know:

√2 + (y−L2 )
r= L

r=1 L√2 + (x−L2 )

dq=λⅆy
dq=−λⅆ x
dQ kQ
v= ∫k =
r r

k λⅆy
v=2
p ∫
√ L + (x −L )
2 2

In x=y
2L 2L
k λⅆy k (−λ )dx
v=2
p ∫0 +∫
√ L + (y−L2 ) 0
2
√ L2 +(x−L2)

a= y −Lb=x−L
da=dy db=d x
a| 0=2 L b 0| =−L
a|2 L =−L b|2 L =L
 L L
k λⅆa k (−λ )dx
v=2
p ∫−LL2 +a2− LL2++b∫ 2
√ √
L L
v=2Kλlna+
p ( L+a√ 2 2
)|− L −Kλlnbt( L+b
√ 2 2
)|− L

vp =
2Kλ
4πEo
ln
[
√2L
−L+ √
2L ]
√ L )2+ ( L−x )
2
r=2 (2

r=3 L√2 + (2L− y

2
)

dq=λⅆy
=− lambda dx
2L 2L
k (−λ ) dx k λⅆy
v=
Q ∫0 +2 ∫
√( 2L ) + ( L−x ) √ L + ( 2 L − y2)
2 2 2
0

c=L−xⅆ=2 L − y
−dc=ⅆx−ⅆ ⅆ=d y
c|0=L ⅆ|0 =L
c| 2 L =−L d| 2 L =0

L 2L
k (− λ ) d c k λⅆ ⅆ
v=
Q ∫ +2 ∫
−L √ ( 2 L) +C
2 2
0 √ L2 +ⅆ 2
L 2L
vQ =−Kλln ( c + √ ( 2 L)2 +C 2 ) −L +2Kλlnⅆ+
( L+
√ ⅆ2 | 2
)| 0

vQ =kλln
| ( √5−1 )
1+ √5
( 2+ √5 )
|
2
 λ ( 1+ √ )( 5
2 3− √ ) [v ]
v p −v Q = ln
2π E0 2

2.1.06. The square with side 2a [m] in the figure is uniformly charged with
a density λ [C/m]. Calculate the potential at point P = (–2a,0).