Question

A plastic rod of length d = 1.5 m lies along the x-axis with its midpoint at the origin. The rod carries a uniform linear charge density λ = 2.5 nC/m. The point P is located on the positive y-axis at a distance y0 = 15 cm from the origin. The z-axis points out of the screen. Integrate your correct choice in part (b) over the length of the rod and choose the correct expression for the y-component of the electric field at point P.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Let the plastic rod extends from - L to + L .

consider a small length of dx on the rod on the positive x axis at distance x . charge on it =  λ dx where  λ is linear charge density .

It will create a field at point P on y -axis . Distance of point P

= √ x² + .15²

electric field at P due to small charged length

dE = k λ dx x  / (x² + .15² )

Its component along Y - axis

= dE cosθ where θ is angle between direction of field dE and y axis

= dE x .15 / √ x² + .15²

=  k λ dx  .15 / (x² + .15² )³/²

If we consider the same strip along the x axis at the same position  on negative x axis , same result will be found . It is to be noted that the component of field in perpendicular to y axis will cancel out each other . Now for electric field due to whole rod at point p , we shall have to integrate the above expression from - L to + L

E = ∫  k λ  .15  / (x² + .15² )³/² dx

=  k λ  x L / .15 √( L² / 4 + .15² )