A thin plastic rod is bent into a circular ring …

Physics Questions

A thin plastic rod is bent into a circular ring of radius R and is uniformly charged with charge density Œª. What is the magnitude of the electric field at its center? a. Œª/2Œµ‚CAR b. Zero c. Œª/4œAŒµ‚CAR d. Œª/4Œµ‚CAR

Short Answer

The electric field at the center of a circular ring with uniform charge density can be determined using Coulomb’s law, which results in the formula E = ≈í¬™ / (2≈í¬µ‚ÄöCAR). Therefore, the correct expression for the electric field is option a: E = ≈í¬™ / (2≈í¬µ‚ÄöCAR).

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Electric Field Concept

The electric field is defined as a vector quantity that represents the influence of electric charges on the surrounding space. To determine the electric field at the center of a circular ring with a uniform charge density, we apply Coulomb’s law, which describes the force between charged objects. This law is fundamental in calculating the electric fields generated by various charge distributions.

Step 2: Apply Coulomb’s Law for a Circular Ring

To find the electric field (E) at the center of a circular ring, we use the formula derived from Coulomb’s law. For a ring with a uniform charge density (≈í¬™) and a radius (R), the electric field can be mathematically represented as:

  • E = ≈í¬™ / (2≈í¬µ‚ÄöCAR)

This equation allows us to calculate the magnitude of the electric field using the parameters of the charge density and the radius of the ring.

Step 3: Identify the Correct Option

Based on the formula derived for the electric field at the center of a circular ring, you can easily identify which option corresponds to our findings. The correct expression for the electric field is:

  • Option a: E = ≈í¬™ / (2≈í¬µ‚ÄöCAR)

Therefore, the answer to the question regarding the magnitude of the electric field at the center of a circular ring with uniform charge density is option a.

Related Concepts

Electric Field

A vector quantity that represents the influence of electric charges on the surrounding space.

Coulomb’S Law

A fundamental principle that describes the force between charged objects, used to calculate electric fields generated by charge distributions.

Uniform Charge Density

A constant amount of charge per unit length distributed evenly along a charged object, such as a circular ring.

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