Department of Electrical engineering

College of Engineering
EE 351 Electromagnetic Fields
Problem Set 3 Electric Field Strength (point charges and line charge distributions))
Problem 1

Show the location of the charges in the Cartesian system and draw the electric field vectors
Solution

Force from Q2 to Q1 is given by:

 QQ
F = 1 2 2 aˆ R
4 o R
Where aR is directed from Q2 to Q1 as shown in figure

Calculating R and aR

R = (3,2,1) − (−4,0,6) = (3 + 4)aˆ x ,+(2 − 0)aˆ y + (1 − 6)aˆ z
 
 R = 7 aˆ x ,+2aˆ y − 5aˆ z  R = 7 aˆ x ,+2aˆ y − 5aˆ z = 49 + 4 + 25 = 8.318
Unit vector

R
 aˆ R = 
R
7 aˆ x ,+2aˆ y − 5aˆ z
 aˆ R =  aˆ R = 0.7928aˆ x ,+0.2265aˆ y - 0.5661aˆ z
49 + 4 + 25
Putting in force expression:
 QQ
F = 1 2 2 aˆ R
4 o R
 (5  10 −6 )(−4  10 −6 )
F = 9  10 9 (0.7928aˆ x ,+0.2265aˆ y - 0.5661aˆ z )
8.318 2

F = (−0.0026) (0.7928aˆ x ,+0.2265aˆ y - 0.5661aˆ z ) N

F = - 1.8291 aˆ x - 0.5226aˆ y + 1.3065aˆ z ) mN
Problem 2

Solution

The electric field due to Q1 and Q2 at point P is given by:

 Q1  Q2
E1 = aˆ , E2 = aˆ R 2
4 o R1 4 o R2
2 R1 2

  
and Total E, E = E1 + E2
Where the distance vectors are written as
 
R1 = (5,0,6) − (4,0,−3) , R2 = (5,0,6) − (2,0,1)
 
 R1 = aˆ x + 9aˆ z and R1 = 1 + 81 = 9.055
 
 R2 = 3aˆ x + 5aˆ z and R2 = 9 + 25 = 5.83
The unit vectors aR1 and aR2:

R1 aˆ x + 9aˆ z  aˆ = 0.1104aˆ + 0.9939aˆ
 aˆ R1 =  = R1 x z
R1 9.055

and  aˆ = R 2 = 3aˆ x + 5aˆ z  aˆ R 2 = 0.5145 aˆ x + 0.8575aˆ z
R2
R2 5.83
We know Q2 so we can find E2

−9
 Q2 9 4  10
E2 = ˆ
a = 9  10 (0.5145 aˆ x + 0.8575aˆ z )
4 o R2
2 R2
5.832


 E2 = 0.5449 aˆ x + 0.9079aˆ z V / m

E1 is given by:
 Q1
E1 = aˆ R1
4 o R1
2

Putting everything except Q1,

 Q1 Q1
aˆ R1 = 9  10 (0.1104aˆ x + 0.9939aˆ z )
9
E1 =
4 o R1
2
9.0552

 E1 = 0.0121 Q1aˆ x + 0.1091Q1aˆ z (109 V / m)
Total Electric field
  
E = E1 + E2

 E = 0.0121Q1aˆ x + 0.1091Q1aˆ z + 0.5449 aˆ x + 0.9079aˆ z
Adding x and z components

 E = ( 0.0121 Q1  10 9 + 0.5449)aˆ x + (0.1091Q1  10 9 + 0.9079)aˆ z
Since Ez =0,
E z = 0.1091 Q1  109 + 0.9079 = 0
0.9079
 Q1 = −
0.1091 10 9
 Q1 = −8.32nC

Problem 3
Find electric field strength at point P for the following charges
(a) A finite line charge of length 6m and density 0.5 nC/m and a point charge of 1 nC. Also calculate for infinite
line charge
(b) A ring of radius a=1m and density 0.5 nC/m and a point charge of 1 nC
(c) A finite line charge of length 7m and density 0.5 nC/m (at a non symmetric point P). Also calculate for
infinite line charge
(d) A ring of radius a = 1m and density -0.5 nC/m and an infinite line of charge density 0.5 nC/m
Solution Q 3 Part (a)
The total field is the sum of field due to finite (symmetric) line charge and the point charge:

𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2
𝜌𝐿 𝐿 𝑄
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 𝑎̂𝑅1 + 𝑎̂
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅1 2 4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅22 𝑅2
√𝑅1 2 + (𝐿)
2
From the figure:
𝑅⃗1 = (2,0,0) − (0, −3,0)
𝑅⃗2 = (2,0,0) − (0,2,0)

⇒ 𝑅⃗1 = 2𝑎̂𝑥 + 3𝑎̂𝑦 and |𝑅⃗1 | = √4 + 9 = √13

⃗1
𝑅 2𝑎̂𝑥 +3𝑎̂𝑦
⇒ 𝑎̂𝑅1 = ⃗ 1|
=
|𝑅 √13
⇒ 𝑅⃗2 = 2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑦 and |𝑅⃗2 | = √4 + 4 = √8
⃗2
𝑅 2𝑎̂𝑥 −2𝑎̂𝑦
⇒ 𝑎̂𝑅2 = ⃗ 2|
=
|𝑅 √8
Putting the vectors in E equation

0.5𝑛 6 2𝑎̂𝑥 + 3𝑎̂𝑦 1𝑛 2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑦

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = ( )+ ( )
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 √13 2 √13 4𝜋𝜀𝑜 8 √8
√13 + (6)
2
1
Replacing 4𝜋𝜀𝑜
= 9 × 109 and combining square roots

(9 × 109 )0.5𝑛 (9 × 109 )1𝑛

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = (1.28)(2𝑎̂𝑥 + 3𝑎̂𝑦 ) + (2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑦 )
13 8√8
4.5 9
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = (1.28)(2𝑎̂𝑥 + 3𝑎̂𝑦 ) + (2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑦 )
13 8√8

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2 = 0.8856𝑎̂𝑥 + 1.3284𝑎̂𝑦 + 0.7955𝑎̂𝑥 − 0.7955𝑎̂𝑦

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 1.6811𝑎̂𝑥 + 0.5329𝑎̂𝑦
Solution Q 3 Part (b)
The total field is the sum of field due to ring of charge and a point charge Q:

𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2
𝜌𝐿 𝑎ℎ 𝑄
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = (−𝑎̂𝑥 ) + 𝑎̂
2𝜀𝑜 2
(𝑎 + ℎ2 )2
3
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅22 𝑅2
From the figure:
𝑅⃗1 = (0,0,0) − (3,0,0)
⃗𝑅2 = (0,0,0) − (0, −3,0)

⇒ 𝑅⃗1 = −3𝑎̂𝑥 and |𝑅⃗1 | = ℎ = 3

⃗1
𝑅 −3𝑎̂𝑥
⇒ 𝑎̂𝑅1 = ⃗ 1|
= 3
= −𝑎̂𝑥
|𝑅
⇒ 𝑅⃗2 = 3𝑎̂𝑦 and |𝑅⃗2 | = 3
⃗2
𝑅 3𝑎̂𝑦
⇒ 𝑎̂𝑅2 = ⃗ 2|
= 3
= 𝑎̂𝑦
|𝑅
Putting a=1, h=3 and the vectors in E equation

0.5𝑛 (1)(3) 1𝑛
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = (−𝑎̂𝑥 ) + (𝑎̂ )
2𝜀𝑜 3 4𝜋𝜀𝑜 (9) 𝑦
(1 + 9)2

1 1
Replacing = 9 × 109 and = 18𝜋 × 109
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 2𝜀𝑜
(1)(3) (9 × 109 )1𝑛
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = (18𝜋 × 109 )0.5𝑛 3 (−𝑎
̂𝑥 ) + (𝑎̂𝑦 )
(9)
(1 + 9)2

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = (9𝜋)(0.095)(−𝑎̂𝑥 ) + (𝑎̂𝑦 )

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2 = −2.268𝑎̂𝑥 + 𝑎̂𝑦

Solution Q 3 Part (c)

The field due to asymmetric finite line charge:

𝜌𝐿
𝐸⃗ = [(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼2 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼1 )𝑎̂𝑅 + (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼2 )𝑎̂𝑦 ]
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅
From the figure:

𝑅⃗ = (2, −2,0) − (0, −2,2)

𝑅 = |𝑅⃗ | = √(2 − 0)2 + (−2 + 2)2 + (0 − 2)2 = 2.8284

⇒ 𝑅⃗ = 2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑧 and |𝑅⃗ | = √4 + 4 = √8

𝑅⃗1 2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑧

⇒ 𝑎̂𝑅1 = =
|𝑅⃗1 | √8

𝐴 = |(0, −4,2) − (0, −2,2)| = √(0 − 0)2 + (−4 + 2)2 + (2 − 2)2 = 2

𝐵 = |(0,3,2) − (0, −2,2)| = √(0 − 0)2 + (3 + 2)2 + (2 − 2)2 = 5

𝐶 = |(2, −2,0) − (0, −4,2)| = √(2 − 0)2 + (−2 + 4)2 + (0 − 2)2 = 3.4641

𝐷 = |(2, −2,0) − (0,3,2)| = √(2 − 0)2 + (−2 − 3)2 + (0 − 2)2 = 5.7446

𝐴 𝑅
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼1 = 𝐶 = −0.5774 , 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼1 = 𝐶 = 0.8165

𝐵 𝑅
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼2 = 𝐷 = 0.8704 , 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼2 = 𝐷=0.4924

𝜌𝐿
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = [(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼2 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼1 )𝑎̂𝑅 + (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼2 )𝑎̂𝑦 ]
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅
1
Replacing 4𝜋𝜀𝑜
= 9 × 109 and the sin and cos and vectors

(9 × 109 )(0.5𝑛) 2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑧

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = [(0.8704 + 0.5774) ( ) + (0.8165 − 0.4924)𝑎̂𝑦 ]
√8 √8
 (4.5)
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = [(0.5119)(2𝑎̂𝑥 − 2𝑎̂𝑧 ) + (0.3241)𝑎̂𝑦 ]
√8

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 1.629𝑎̂𝑥 − 1.629𝑎̂𝑧 + 0.5156𝑎̂𝑦

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 1.629𝑎̂𝑥 + 0.5156𝑎̂𝑦 − 1.629𝑎̂𝑥 𝑎̂𝑧

Solution Q 3 Part (d)

The total field is the sum of field due to ring of charge and the infinite line of charge:

𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2
𝜌𝐿 𝑎ℎ
𝐸⃗1 = 3 (+𝑎
̂𝑥 )
2𝜀𝑜 2
(𝑎 + ℎ2 )2
𝜌
𝐸⃗2 = 2𝜋𝜀𝐿𝑅 𝑎̂𝑅2
𝑜 2

𝜌𝐿 𝑎ℎ 𝜌𝐿
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 3 (+𝑎̂𝑥 ) + 𝑎̂𝑅2
2𝜀𝑜 2𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅2
(𝑎 2 +ℎ2 )2
From the figure:
ℎ = |(0,0,0) − (3,0,0)| = 3
𝑅⃗2 = (0,0,0) − (0,0,2)

⇒ 𝑅⃗2 = −2𝑎̂𝑧 and |𝑅⃗2 | = 2

⃗2
𝑅 −2𝑎̂𝑧
⇒ 𝑎̂𝑅2 = ⃗ 2|
= 2
= −𝑎̂𝑧
|𝑅
Putting the a=1, h =3 and vectors in E equation

𝜌 𝑎ℎ 𝜌
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 2𝜀𝐿 3 (+𝑎̂𝑥 ) + 2𝜋𝜀𝐿 𝑅 𝑎̂𝑅2
𝑜 (𝑎 2 +ℎ2 )2 𝑜 2

0.5𝑛 (1)(3) 0.5𝑛

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 3 (+𝑎̂𝑥 ) + (−𝑎̂𝑧 )
2𝜀𝑜 2𝜋𝜀𝑜 (2)
(1+9)2

1 1
Replacing 2𝜋𝜀𝑜
= 18 × 109 and 2𝜀 = 18𝜋 × 109
𝑜
(18×10 )0.5𝑛 9
⇒ 𝐸⃗ = (18𝜋 × 109 )0.5𝑛(0.0949)(+𝑎̂𝑥 ) + (2)
(−𝑎̂𝑧 )

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 2.6832(+𝑎̂𝑥 ) + 4.5(−𝑎̂𝑧 )

⇒ 𝐸⃗ = 2.6832𝑎̂𝑥 − 4.5𝑎̂𝑧
Problem 4

Hint. The electric field of a ring of charge oriented perpendicular to any axis at a point is calculated from
the following figure,

Solution:

The ring is at P'(0,0,0) and in y-z plane (as shown in third figure). The electric field is given by:

  L ah
E= aˆ x , h=3, a=2
 
3
2 o a + h
2 2 2

P(3,0,0) , h=3, x'=0

   L ah
D = oE = aˆ x
 
3
2a +h 2 2 2

 5 (2)(3)
D= aˆ x
 
3
22 +3
2 2 2


D = 0.32aˆ x C/m
2

(b)

Total field at P should be zero so D due to the point charges at P 1 and P2 should cancel the effect of D due to ring of
charge

Flux density due to a point charge

 Q
D= aˆ R
4R 2

 Q  Q
D1 = aˆ R1 , D2 = aˆ R 2
4R1 4R2
2 2

 
R1 = P − P1 , R2 = P − P2
 
R1 = (3,0,0) − (0,3,0) , R2 = (3,0,0) − (0,−3,0)
 
R1 = 3aˆ x − 3aˆ y , R2 = 3aˆ x + 3aˆ y
 
R1 = 18 , R2 = 18
3aˆ x − 3aˆ y
aˆ R1 =
18
3aˆ x + 3aˆ y
aˆ R 2 =
18
 Q 3aˆ x − 3aˆ y ,  Q 3aˆ x + 3aˆ y
D1 = D2 =
4 (18) 18 4 (18) 18

⃗ 1 = 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑥 − 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑦 , 𝐷
𝐷 ⃗ 2 = 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑥 + 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑦
Total Flux density at point P
⃗𝑇=𝐷
𝐷 ⃗1+𝐷 ⃗ 2 + ⃗D

⃗ 𝑇 = 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑥 − 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑦 + 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑥 + 0.0031𝑄𝑎̂𝑦 + 0.32𝜇𝑎̂𝑥

𝐷
⃗ 𝑇 |=0
|𝐷
⇒𝐷 ⃗ 𝑇 = 0.0063𝑄𝑎̂𝑥 + 0.32𝜇𝑎̂𝑥 = 𝟎

⇒ 0.0266𝑄 + 0.32𝜇 = 0
⇒ 𝑄 = −51𝜇𝐶