Asemi-infinite wire lies on the negative z-axis from z = 0 to z = -infinity with constant linear positive charge density \lambda.
a) determine e (magnitude and direction) at a point (0, 0, z) along the positive z axis.
b) determine e (magnitude and direction) at point (x, 0, 0) along the positive x axis.
part a
i) draw a sketch. include the wire, the x and z axes and the point p at which you are planning to find the electric field. can you make an educated guess as to the direction of the electric field? put an arrow indicating the direction.
ii) what ideas will you use to determine e?
iii) on the sketch in part (i) indicate the infinitesimally small element you will use to set up the integral. is the small element a line, an area, or a volume? explain.
iv) what is the e- field (magnitude and direction) due to the infinietesimally small element identified in part (iii)? can it be resolved into x, y, and z components?
v) set up the integral expression. identify the limits and the variable of integration.
vi) find an expression for e.
part b
i) draw a sketch. include the wire, the x and z axes and the point p at which you are planning to find the electric field. can you make an educated guess as to the direction of the electric field? put an arrow indicating the direction.
ii) what is the e- field (magnitude and direction) due to the infinietesimally small element identified in part (iii)? can it be resolved into x, y, and z components?
iii) set up the integral expression. identify the limits and the variable of integration.
iv) find an expression for e.