Exercises Set 3

Topic: Gausss Law and Electrostatic Potential

Electromagnetics I
Prof. Dr. Gkhan nar
Eskiehir Osmangazi University
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department

1. If the electrostatic field in some region is given (in spherical coordinates) by the expression
E = Aar + B sin cos a
r
where A and B are constants, what is the charge density?
2. A cylindrical rod with an inner radius of a and an outer radius of b has a uniform charge density
of V . By using Gausss law, find the electric field in the regions (a) < a, (b) a < < b and (c)
> b.
3. A cylinder of radius a with a uniform charge density V is located coaxially with a cylindrical
surface of radius b with a uniform charge density S (b > a). By using Gausss law, find the
electric field in the regions a) < a, b) a < < b and c) > b.
4. A spherical surface of radius a has a uniform charge density S . By using Gausss law, find the
electric field in the regions (a) r < a and (b) r > a.
5. A spherical surface of radius 2 has a charge density S = 2 cos2 . By using Gausss law, find the
electric field in the regions (a) r < a and (b) r > a.
6. A sphere of radius a carries a charge density proportional to the distance from the center as
V = kr, where k is a constant. By using Gausss law, find the electric field inside and outside the
sphere.
7. A hollow spherical shell carries charge density V = k/r2 in the region a r b. By using
Gausss law, find the electric field in the regions (a) r < a, (b) a < r < b and (c) r > b.
8. A sphere of radius a and uniform charge density V is located concentrically with a spherical
surface of radius b and uniform charge density S . By using Gausss law, find the electric field in
the regions a) r < a, b) a < r < b and c) r > b.
9. A spherical surface of radius a with a uniform charge density of S and a spherical shell of inner
radius b and outer radius c with a uniform charge density of V are located concentrically (a <
b < c). By using Gausss law, find the electric field in the regions a) r < a, b) a < r < b, c)
b < r < c and d) r > c.
10. An electron cloud is given by the charge densities V = 0 (0 =constant) for 0 r b and
V = 0 for r > b. Find the electric field inside and outside the electron cloud.
11. Prove that the potential function determined by the Laplace equation in a certain volume is
unique if the potential is specified on the boundary surface S of this volume.
12. A spherical surface of radius R carries a uniform charge density of S . Find the electrical potential
at P (0, 0, h) where h < R and h > R seperately.

Prof. Dr. Gkhan nar

13. Electrostatic potential in the region 0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 1 is given as V (x, y, z) =
10xz+15yz2 [V]. Find the corresponding electric flux density, charge density and the total charge
in this region.
14. Determine whether the below expressions belong to an electrostatic field or not.
[
]
(a) E = k xyax + 2yzay + 3xzaz
]
[
(b) E = k y2ax + (2xy + z2 )ay + 2yzaz
15. Find the potential at the distance a from an infinitely long straight wire that carries a uniform
line charge L . Compute the gradient of your potential, and check that it yields the correct field
(Hint: Check the concept of logarithmic potential).
16. Consider an electric dipole consisting of charges +q and q with a small separation d. Show
that the electric potential at P is
p ar
V (P) =
40 r2
where p = qd and r is the distance of P to the origin (d r).
17. Two conducting plates at x = 0 and x = d have the potentials V0 and Vd , respectively. Assuming
no charges in 0 < x < d, find the explicit expressions for the potential and the electric field
between the plates (Vd > V0 ).
18. An electron cloud is given by the charge densities V = 0 (0 =constant) for 0 r b and
V = 0 for r > b. Find the electric field inside this electron cloud, by solving the Laplace and/or
Poisson equations for the electrostatic potential.
19. The electric field in some region is given as E = kr3ar , in spherical coordinates (k is some constant).
(a) Find the charge density .
(b) Find the total charge contained in a sphere of radius R, centered at the origin having the
charge density found in (a).