PHYS 2212 Module 1.5

Calculating Electric Fields of Charge Distributions

Recommended Reading

1.5 Calculating Electric Fields of Charge Distributions

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Explain what a continuous source charge distribution is and how it is related to the concept of quantization of charge
  • Describe line charges, surface charges, and volume charges
  • Calculate the field of a continuous source charge distribution of either sign

Practice!

Practice 1.5.1

A total charge Q is uniformly distributed over the length L of a line charge distribution. The charge density λ is given by
Check your answer here: B. Q/L
Practice 1.5.2

A total charge Q is uniformly distributed over the length L of a line charge distribution. The total charge inside a short element dx is given by
Check your answer here: A. (Q/L)dx