Problem 1.

Each of three charged spheres of radius a has a total charge Q. One is conducting, one has
a uniform charge density within its volume, and one having a spherically symmetric charge
density that varies within its volume, and one having a spherically symmetric charge density
that varies radially as rn (n > 3). Use Gauss's theorem to obtain the electric elds both
inside and outside each sphere. Sketch the behavior of the elds as a function of radius for
the rst two spheres, and for the third with n = 2; +2.

1.4.a Conducting sphere

Because charge only resides on the outside of a conductor, there is no electric eld inside:
E=0.
Outside the sphere:
I

Q
E~
dA~ =
"0
Q
E
4r2 =
"0
E=

Q
4"0r2

where r is the distance from the center from the sphere.

1.4.b Sphere with uniform charge density

Inside the sphere:
1

Q 34 r3
E
4r = 4 3
"0 3 a
2

Qr
4a3

E=

Outside the sphere, a sphere of charge Q looks the same regardless of its conguration within
the sphere:
Q
"0

E
4r2 =

Q
4"0r2

E=

1.4.c Sphere with charge density / rn

Inside the sphere:

 = Crn
Q=

Z 2 Z  Z a

=
=

'=0 =0 r=0

Z 2 Z 
 n+3 a

=C
=

(Crn)r sin drdd'

sin dd'

'=0 =0
Z 2
n
+3
Ca
[ cos ]0 d'
'=0
Z 2
C 2an+3
d'
'=0
C 4an+3

E
4r2 =

C
4rn+3
Q
"0 
C
4an+3

Qrn+1
E=
4"0an+3

Outside the sphere:

E
4r2 =
E=

Q
"0

Q
4"0r2

Problem 1.5

The time-averaged potential of a neutral hydrogen atom is given by

q e r  r 
 = 4"
1+ 2
r
where q is the magnitude of the electronic charge and  = a =2, a being the Bohr radius.
Find the distribution of charge (both continuous and discrete) that will give this potential
and interpret your result physically.
0

NOTE: This approach is incorrect because r2

tion. See the solutions in \solution.pdf"

E~ =

r

is supposed to be a delta func-

q
re r e r 
= 4"
+ 2 ( )e
r2
0


q
re r + e r 2 e r
= 4"
+ 2
r^
r2
0

r^

r
E~ = "

r2 (e r + r( )e r e r ) 2r (re
q
= 4"
r4
0
 2 2

 r + 2r + 2 3

q
r
=
= 4" e
+
3
r
2
"0
0
q
=
4 e

 2 2 2
+
2 r + r2 + r3

+ e r )

2e

Problem 1.6

A simple capacitor is a device formed by two insulated conductors adjacent to each other.
If equal and opposite charges are placed on the conductors, there will be a certain dierence
of potential dierence between them. The ratio of the magnitude of the charge on one
conductor to the magnitude of the potential dierence is called the capacitance (in SI units
it is measured in farads). Using Gauss's law, calculate the capacitance of:

1.6.a Two large, at conducting sheets of area A, separated by a

small distance d
Find the electric eld between the plates:
I

Q
E~
dA~ =
"0
Q
E
A=
"0
 
Q
V
A=
d
"0
A Q
C = "0 =
d
V

1.6.b Two concentric conducting spheres with radii a; b (b > a)

Find the electric eld between the spheres:
I

Q
E~
dA~ =
"0
Q
E
4r2 =
"0

V=

Z b
a

Q
dr
2
a 4"0 r
Q 1 b
= 4" r a
0

Q 1 1
= 4" a b
0

Edr =

Q
=
V

C=

Z b

Q 1
4"0 a

= 4" b ab a = C
0

1.6.c Two concentric conducting cylinders of length L, large compared to their radii a; b (b > a)
Find the electric eld between the cylinders:
I

Q
E~
dA~ =
"0
Q
E
2rL =
"0
Q
E=
2"0Lr

V=

Z b
a

Q 1
a 2"0 L r
b
Q
= 2" L ln ra
0
 
Q
= 2" L ln ab
0

Edr =

C=

Z b

Q 2"0 L
=
V ln(b=a)

Problem 1.9

Calculate the attractive force between conductors in the parallel place capacitor (problem
1.6.a) and the parallel cylinder capacitor (problem 1.7) for:
5

1.9.a Fixed charges on each conductor

The electric eld due to a parallel plate is:
I

Q
E~
dA~ =
"0
Q
E
2A =
"0
Q
E=
2"0A
Q2
2"0A = F

F = QE =

The electric eld due to a cylinder is:

I

Q
E~
dA~ =
"0
Q
E
2rL =
"0
Q
E=
2"0Lr

F = QE =

Q2
2"0Lr

Since the cylinders are a distance d apart, the force on one cylinder due to the other is:
F=

Q2
2"0Ld

1.9.b Fixed potential dierence between the conductors

Recall that the voltage between the parallel plates is:
Qd
"0 A
" AV
)Q= 0
d
V=

Substitituting Q into the force we found in part a:

F=

"0 AV
2
d

2" A
0

From problem 1.7:

F=

"0 AV 2
d2

C

"0
ln(d=a)

Q
C
 
Q
= " ln ad
0
"0 V
)Q=
ln(d=a)
V=

Substitituting Q into the force we found in part a:



F=
F=

"0 V
ln(d=a)

2

2" Ld
0

"0 V 2
2Ld[ln(d=a)]2