PHYS1314 Spring 2015

Solution of Homework 2
Question 1
Analysis: We do a back-of-the-envelop estimation to show that microwave is suitable for oscillating
water molecules (in food). Then, we show that visible light is not suitable to resonate water molecules.
Strategy: Order of magnitude estimation
Solution:
Part (a)
There are three different modes of rotation of water molecules. Since the electric field is uniform so
only the second and the third modes are possible.

Part (b)
Assumptions:
1. The radius of O is much smaller than the bond length, we assume all atoms are point masses.
2. O atom is about 16 times heavier the H atom so we assume the center of mass is at the O.
3. We assume the angle between the uniform electric field and the line of symmetry of H2 O molecule
is small.
We start with the Newtons second law of motion

~ = I
~
pE sin = I


pE

I
Therefore, the resonant frequency is

f=
2 s

2ed cos( 104.5

= 5.7 109 Hz
which is in the microwave region.
Part (c)
For visible light, the required electric field strength is
(2ud2 )(2f )2
E=

2ed cos( 104.5

Question 2
Analysis: We have a negatively charged ring, which has its center put at the origin, on the xy-plane.
We show that along the z-axis, V attains its minimum at z = 0, whereas along the x-axis, V attains
its maximum at x = 0.
Strategy: Differentiate under integral sign.
Solution:
Part (a)
Along the z-axis, the derivative of potential V (x = y = 0, z) is


1
Q
dV
d

=
dz
dz
40 z 2 + R2
Qz
1
=
2
40 (z + R2 )3/2
so z = 0 is the turning point of V (x = y = 0, z). Additionally, the second derivative is


d2 V
1
Q
d2

=
dz 2
dz 2
40 z 2 + R2
1 Q(R2 2z 2 )
=
40 (z 2 + R2 )5/2

d2 V 
1 Q
> 0 so V (x = y = 0, z) attains its local minimum at z = 0.
=
dz 2 
40 R3
z=0

Part (b)
Along the x-axis, the potential V (x, y = z = 0) is
Z 2
1
(Q/2R)R d

V =
40 0
x2 + R2 2Rx cos
Z 2
Q
d

= 2
2
2
8 0 0
x + R 2Rx cos
For its first derivative with respect to x, we have


Z 2
dV
d
Q
d

=
2
dx
dx
8 0 0
x2 + R2 2Rx cos


Z 2
Q

= 2
d
8 0 0 x
x2 + R2 2Rx cos
Z 2
(R cos x) d
Q
= 2
8 0 0 (x2 + R2 2Rx cos )3/2
At x = 0, we get

Z 2
Q
dV 
=

cos d = 0
dx x=0
8 2 0 R2 0
which means x = 0 is a turning point of V (x, y = z = 0. Similarly, the second derivative is


Z 2
d2 V
d
d2
Q

=
2
dx2
dx2
8 0 0
x2 + R2 2Rx cos

Z 2 2 
Q

= 2
8 0 0 x2
x2 + R2 2Rx cos
Z 2
2
Q
(2x R2 + 3R2 cos2 4Rx cos ) d
= 2
8 0 0
(x2 + R2 2Rx cos )5/2

At x = 0, we get
Z 2
d2 V
Q
Q
=

(3 cos2 1) d =
dx2
8 2 0 R3 0
80 R3
which means V (x, y = z = 0) attains its local maximum at x = 0.
Part (c)
The sketch of field lines, which are pointing towards the ring, near the ring is shown below

At the center of the ring (origin), the electric field vanishes, which is called the neutral point.
consistent with (a) Along the path (0, 0, z) (0, 0, 0), field lines are spreading outward in both
x and y directions. Moreover, the field lines density which represents the field strength decreases, and
the direction of field lines is flipped across z = 0. That is, the negative of the slope of V -z curve
keeps reducing (in -z region), equals 0 (at z = 0), and keeps increasing (in +z region). Therefore,
V (x = y = 0, z) attains its local minimum at z = 0.
consistent with (b) Along the path (x, 0, 0) (0, 0, 0), field lines are pointing towards the ring.
Moreover, the fields lines density which represents the field strength increases, and the direction of
the field lines is flipped across the ring x = R. That is, the negative of the slop of V x curve
keeps increasing (in |x| > R region), equals 0 (at x = 0), and keeps increasing (in |x| < R but nonzero
region). Therefore, V (x, y = z = 0) attains its local maximum at x = 0.

Question 3
Analysis: We have a uniformly charged thin spherical shell, and we prove that the electric field is zero
everywhere inside the shell (shell theorem part II ), using three different approaches. For completeness,
we also show that the electric field outside the shell having a total charge Q is the same as if the entire
charge Q is concentrated at its centre (shell theorem part I ).
Strategy: (a) Gausss law with spherical symmetry; (b) cut the shell into rings and then integrate;
(c) direct integration
Solution:
Part (a)
y, z) =
argument for E(x,
r if it exists: Without the loss of generality, we consider the electric field
at point (x, 0, 0). Suppose it is nonzero and in +y direction, we rotate the system about the x-axis by
, and thus the direction of the electric field is reversed. However, the configuration of the system is
y, z) = r or
unchanged. Therefore, we have a contradiction unless E(x,
r.
for r < R: Construct a spherical Gaussian surface of radius 0 r < R concentric with the charged
~ r < R) = 0. By exhausting
shell. Using Gausss law and the spherical symmetry, Qenc = 0 gives E(0
every ~r, we prove that the electric field is zero everywhere inside the charged shell.
for r > R: Construct a spherical Gaussian surface of radius R < r < concentric with the charged
1 Qenc
~
r. That
shell. Using Gausss law and spherical symmetry, Qenc 6= 0 gives E(R
< r < ) =
40 r2
is, a uniformly charged thin spherical shell exerts electrostatic force on external objects in the same
manner as all of its charges were concentrated at a point at its centre.
Part (b)
We cut the shell into rings with surface area dA and charge density so the charge on each ring is
dq = dA. Let R () be the distance from the centre (observation point) to the ring, and () be
the angle subtended by the x-axis and R ().
for r < R: The electric field contributed by these rings is
!
Z /2
Z
x
dq
dq 0
E=

3
40
3
0
/2
#
"Z
Z
/2
Qx
sin cos d
sin 0 cos 0 d0
p
p
=

2
80 R 0
R2 2 sin2
/2 ( R2 2 sin 0 )
!
Z /2
Z /2
Qx
sin cos d
sin cos d
p
p
=

80 R
R2 2 sin2
R2 2 sin2
0
0

,
(sub 0 = )

=0
where dq = (Q/4R2 )2R2 sin d = (Q/2) sin d and R sin = sin (and q q 0 , 0 ).
Instead of [0, ], we use [0, ] as integration variable. The advantage is that the integral of
from 0 to /2 cancels exactly that from /2 to . This cancellation is not that obvious when we use
, for which the integral from 0 to sin1 (/R) cancels exactly that from sin1 (/R) to .

for r > R: In this case, we use as the integration variable. The electric field is given by
Z
(x R cos )(Q/2) sin d
1
E=
40 0 (R2 + x2 2Rx cos )3/2
Z 1
Q
(x R cos ) d cos
=
80 1 (R2 + x2 2Rx cos )3/2
Z 1

Z 1
R cos d cos
x d cos
Q

=
3/2
2
2
80 1 (R2 + x2 2Rx cos )3/2
1 (R + x 2Rx cos )
!
Z (x+R)2
Z (x+R)2
1
du
(u x2 R2 ) du
Q
1
=

80 2R (xR)2 u3/2 2x (xR)2

2+ 2
2
2
40 x R
40
x
x R2
Q
=
40 x2
The electric field is in x
direction. The results are consistent with that in part (a).
Part (c)
Using the same settings as in part (b), the potential inside the shell is
Z
(Q/2) sin d
1

V =
40 0
R2 + x2 + 2Rx cos
Z (R+x)2
Q
d(R2 + x2 + 2Rx cos )

=
160 Rx (Rx)2
R2 + x2 + 2Rx cos
Q
=
[(R + x) (R x)]
80 Rx
Q
=
40 R
Since the potential is constant along the x-axis, the electric field which is defined by E = V is zero
along the x-axis. Due to the spherical symmetry, the electric field is zero everywhere inside the shell.
For the electric potential outside the shell, we simply a change in second last line:
Q
Q
[(R + x) + (R x)] =
V =
80 Rx
40 x
Therefore, the electric field outside is given by


Q
E =
40 x
Q
=
x

40 x2
The results are consistent with that in parts (a) and (b).

Comments
1. Dont just say draw a Gaussian surface, whenever you use it you need to tell me its radius
(for spherical), radius and height (for cylinder) or area (for pillbox), where you place it.
2. In almost all cases, electric potential is continuous, while electric field is discontinuous when
there is charges.