singh (mms3363) HW8-c li (55140)

This print-out should have 9 questions.

Multiple-choice questions may continue on
the next column or page find all choices
before answering.
001 10.0 points
Pictured below is a distribution of 6 point
charges and their surrounding electric field.
+Q

-Q

Gaussian surface

-Q

+Q

+Q

Two long sheets of width L = 4.2 cm each

contain N = 420 closely-packed wires carrying current I = 18 A in opposite directions. The sheets are separated by a distance
h = 168 m. Letting the positive x-direction
~
be to the right, calculate the magnitude of B
at point A located y = 34 m above the exact
center of the lower sheet.

-Q

Correct answer: 2.2608 107 T.

What is the total electric flux through the
closed Gaussian surface shown?
6 Q
0
Q
2.
0
2 Q
3.
correct
0
Q
4.
0
1.

5. 0
2Q
0
6Q
7.
0
6.

Explanation:
We must first apply Amperes law in order to find the magnetic field generated by
each sheet, then make use of the superposi~ at A. To apply
tion principle to determine B
Amperes law, we must define an Amperean
loop around which to integrate the value of
~ we need this loop to include point A but
B;
exclude points near the edges of the sheet in
order to eliminate edge effects. Since we are
told A is above the exact center of the lower
sheet, and noting that L h, this presents no
difficulty. Let our loop for the upper sheet be
a rectangular box centered at L/2 with length
x L and height 2(h y); let our loop for
the lower box be identical, but with height 2y.

Explanation:
The total charge within the Gaussian surface is 2 Q, so the total electric flux is

002

2 Q
.
0

10.0 points

Define a number density of wires = N/L

so that we may determine Ienc and note that,
since we are far from the ends of the sheet, we
may use symmetry arguments and claim that
the value of B along the vertical legs of the
loop is zero. The right hand rule tells us that

singh (mms3363) HW8-c li (55140)

~ is in the x direction above the top sheet
B
and in the +x direction below. Integrating in
a counterclockwise direction around the loop,
we obtain
I
~ d~l = 0 Ienc
B
2Bx = 0 Ix
B = 0

NI
2L

Note that this solution is independent of x, h,

and y. Using this fact, we can see the integral
around the similar loop for the lower sheet
will produce the same result. Applying the
superposition principle and noting that the
~ for both upper and lower sheets
direction of B
is in the +x direction,


N
I
NI
~
B(A)
= 2 0
x
= 0
x

2L
L
Thus, the magnitude of the magnetic field is
B = (1.256 106 Vs/Am)

(420)(18 A)
(4.2 cm)

B = 2.2608 107 T

A. Gauss law for magnetism says net magnetic flux B through a closed surface is
zero, so the measurements must be incorrect.
B. This pattern of magnetic field indicates
the existence of a magnetic monopole,
something that has never been found to
exist.
C. There is a current through the region
that is not uniform.
D. The region encloses only half of a magnetic dipole.
Correct answer: A, B.
Explanation:
Statement A is correct, and is simply
a statement of Gauss law for magnetism.
Statement B is also correct, and is a validation of Gauss law for magnetism. Statement
C is an incorrect application of Amperes law.
Statement D is incorrect. Even if the region
did enclose half of a magnetic dipole,
I
~ dA
~ =0
B
still holds true, and the field shown is not a
dipole field pattern.
004

003 10.0 points

In a cylindrical region of height h = 12 cm
~ is found to point
and diameter d = 12 cm, B
downwards and measured to have: BT OP =
1.2 T, BBOT T OM = 3.6 T, and BCY L = 2.4 T.

10.0 points

12 cm
1.2 T

12 cm

2.4 T
3.6 T

What can you conclude from these measurements? List all that apply, separated by
commas. If none apply, enter none.

The figure shows a region of width w and

height h where the magnetic field along the
~ 1 along h and B
~2
boundaries is known to be B
along w. The angle between B2 and w is .
Calculate the current I that passes through
the shaded region.
{Note: You may notice that this field configuration is unrealistic. We use it to illustrate
the application Amperes law.}
1. I =

2
(B1 h + B2 w cos ), out of page
0

singh (mms3363) HW8-c li (55140)

1
(B1h + B2 w cos ), into page
0
2
(B1h + B2 w cos ), into page
3. I =
0
2
4. I =
B2 w cos , out of page
0

2. I =

5. 0
2
(B1 w cos +B2 w cos ), into page
0
2
7. I =
B2 w cos , into page correct
0
1
8. I =
B1 h + B2 w cos , out of page
0
2
9. I =
(B1 w cos + B2 w cos ), out of
0
page
6. I =

Explanation:
This problem is a straightforward application of Amperes law
I

~ d~ = 0 Ienc .
B

The vertical portions make no contribution

~ d~. By symmetry, the horizontal
since B
portions make an equal contribution, so the
path integral simplifies to

I1 R

Find the magnitude of the magnetic field

inside the wire, a distance r from the center
of the wire, where r < R.
Assume current density is the same at every
point inside the wire.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

2B2 w cos = 0 I
2
I=
B2 w cos .
0
~ d~
Looking at the loop, we can see that B
is strictly positive when the path integral is
evaluated in a clockwise fashion. A clockwise
path defines an area vector that points into
~ d~ 0 at
the page, and the fact that B
every point on the loop means that current is
positive relative to this loop, so must flow in
the same direction that the area vector points:
into the page.
005 10.0 points
A very long thick wire of radius R carries a
current I, as in the following figure.

10.

0 Ir 2
4 R3
0 Ir
4 R2
0 Ir
correct
2 R2
0 IR
4 r 2
0 IR2
4 r 3
0 IR2
2 r 3
0 Ir 2
2 R
0 Ir 2
4 R
0 IR
2 r 2
0 Ir 2
2 R3

Explanation:
The current density (current/area) is the
same throughout the wire. Sketch an Amperian loop within the wire with radius r. Then,
the current through this loop i divided by area
of this loop is equal to the total current per
unit area.
I
i
=
r2
R2
r2
i=I 2
R
The magnetic field is tangential to the Amperian loop. Apply Amperes law by inte-

singh (mms3363) HW8-c li (55140)

grating counterclockwise around the loop if
looking at the loop from the right end. Then
the current flows out of the surface and is
positive.
I
~ d~ = 0 Iinside path
B
r2
R2
0 I r
B=
.
2 R2

B (2 r) = 0 I

006 10.0 points

An irregularly shaped metal object carries
a net charge +Q. Due to its irregular shape,
the surface charge density on the surface of the
metal varies as a function of position ( =
(x, y, z) is not a constant value). Consider
a point P = hx0 , y0 , z0 i on the surface of the
object. What will be the magnitude of the
electric field at point a Q very close to P
but just outside the surface of the object?
Hint: Imagine Q to be so close to the surface
that for an observer at Q, the surface of the
object looks like a large flat plane with nearly
uniform charge density (x0, y0 , z0 ) = 0 .
40
0
20
2.
0
1.

Gausss law along with the hint given. Consider a Gaussian surface in the shape of a very
short cylinder (radius height) whose axis is
perpendicular to the surface of the object and
passes through P . The upper circular surface
contains the point Q, while the lower circular
surface is inside the metal object (while the
curved surface is partly inside and partly outside). If A is the area of the circular surface,
then the net charge enclosed by this Gaussian
surface will be 0 A, since all the charge will
be present on the surface of the metal object.
For calculating the electric flux, the curved
surface will not contribute because the electric field will be perpendicular to the surface
of the metal object (and hence parallel to the
curved surface). The inner surface will not
contribute because the net electric field inside
the metal must be zero. If E is the electric
field at point Q, then the net flux will be EA.
From Gausss law, we get
EA =
E=

0 A
0
0
0

007 (part 1 of 3) 10.0 points

3. Depends upon the shape of the object

4.

0
40

5. 0
0
correct
0
0
7.
20
6.

Explanation:

The easiest way to do this problem is to use

Consider two parallel metal plates of area A

separated by a distance d as shown in Fig. A.
The left plate carries total charge 2Q, while
the right plate carries total charge Q. Assume that the plates are very large relative
to the separation distance so that edge effects may be neglected. Also assume that the
thickness of the plates is finite but negligible.

singh (mms3363) HW8-c li (55140)

Use the superposition principle to determine the E-field in regions I, II, and III. To
do so, you will need to first find the electric
field due to the left plate with charge 2Q at
each position. Then due the same for the
right plate with charge Q. For both cases,
assume the charge distributes uniformly over
the charged plate.
Answer options are in the following order:
EI , EII , EIII .
Q
3Q
Q
(
x),
x
,
x
correct
2A0
2A0 2A0
Q
3Q
Q
2.
(
x),
x
,
(
x)
A0
2A0 2A0
Q
3Q
3Q
(
x),
x
,
x

3.
2A0
2A0 2A0
Q
3Q
Q
4.
(
x),
x
,
(
x)
2A0
4A0 4A0
Explanation:
The left plate with charge 2Q uniformly
distributed on its plates give an electric field
of a large uniformly charged disk or,
1.

EI2Q =

Q
Q
Q
2Q
2Q
x
, EII
=
x
, EIII
=
x
.
A0
A0
A0

The right plate with charge Q uniformly

distributed on its plates give an electric field
of a large uniformly charged disk or,
EIQ =

Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
x
, EII
=
x
, EIII
=
x
.
2A0
2A0
2A0

The fields in the three regions are given by

the superposition of the E 2Q and E Q fields:
EI =

 

Q Q
Q
Q
2.
, ,
,
A A
2A
2A
 


3Q
Q
Q 3Q
, ,
,
3.
2A 2A
2A
2A
 


3Q Q
Q 3Q
, ,
,
4.
2 A
A A
Explanation:
We use the Gaussian surfaces Sc and Sd
to illustrate the relationship between the surface charge density of a conducting surface
and the E-field perpendicular to that surface.
Evaluating Gauss law over surface Sc (letting
its cross-sectional area be a),
I
~ dA
~ = Qenc
E
0
0 EII a = R a
3Q
R = 0 EII =
.
2A
Repeating the procedure using Sd , one finds
that
3Q
.
L = R =
2A
Similar Gauss law calculations on the outer
surfaces leads to the final answer:
 


3Q Q
Q 3Q
, ,
.
,
2A 2A
2A 2A
009 (part 3 of 3) 10.0 points

3Q
Q
Q
x
, EII =
x
, EIII =
x
.
2A0
2A0
2A0

008 (part 2 of 3) 10.0 points

Using Gauss law and the fields you determined in Part 1, calculate the surface charge
densities on the inner and outer surfaces of
each plate. The answer options are presented

in the form: (L , R ), (L , R
). Hint: Consider such Gaussian surfaces as Sc and Sd
which have one end inside a conducting plate.

 

Q 3Q
3Q Q
1.
, ,
correct
,
2A 2A
2A 2A

Now consider a similar physical configuration for which different information is known,
shown in Fig. B. This time, you know that

singh (mms3363) HW8-c li (55140)

the plates are equally but oppositely charged,
separated by a distance d, and a potential difference V exists between them. Determine
the surface charge density on the inner surface of the right plate in terms of V , d and
physical constants.
V 0
correct
d
V 0
2.
2d
V 0
3.
d
Vd
4.
0
Vd
5.
0
V
6.
d0
V
7.
d0
V 0
8.
2d
Explanation:
Once again, we use a gaussian pillbox; this
time, we place the surface S so that it encloses
part of the inner surface of the right plate.
~ = (V /d)
The field between the plates is E
x
since the figure indicates the left plate is at a
higher potential. Applying Gauss law,
1.

V 0
A= A=
.
d
0
d