Chapter 2

2.1. Four 10nC positive charges are located in the z = 0 plane at the corners of a square 8cm on
a side. A fifth 10nC positive charge is located at a point 8cm distant from the other charges.
Calculate the magnitude of the total force on this fifth charge for  = 0 :
Arrange the charges in the xy plane at locations (4,4),
√ (4,-4), (-4,4), and (-4,-4). Then the
fifth charge will be on the z axis at location z = 4 2, which puts it at 8cm distance from
the other four. By symmetry, the force on the fifth charge will be z-directed, and will be four
times the z component of force produced by each of the four other charges.

4 q2 4 (10−8 )2
F =√ × = √ × = 4.0 × 10−4 N
2 4π0 d2 2 4π(8.85 × 10−12 )(0.08)2

2.2. A charge Q1 = 0.1 µC is located at the origin, while Q2 = 0.2 µC is at A(0.8, −0.6, 0). Find
the locus of points in the z = 0 plane at which the x component of the force on a third positive
charge is zero.
To solve this problem, the z coordinate of the third charge is immaterial, so we can place it
in the xy plane at coordinates (x, y, 0). We take its magnitude to be Q3 . The vector directed
from the first charge to the third is R13 = xax + yay ; the vector directed from the second
charge to the third is R23 = (x − 0.8)ax + (y + 0.6)ay . The force on the third charge is now


Q3 Q1 R13 Q2 R23
F3 = +
4π0 |R13 |3 |R23 |3


Q3 × 10−6 0.1(xax + yay ) 0.2[(x − 0.8)ax + (y + 0.6)ay ]
= +
4π0 (x2 + y 2 )1.5 [(x − 0.8)2 + (y + 0.6)2 ]1.5

We desire the x component to be zero. Thus,


0.1xax 0.2(x − 0.8)ax
0= +
(x2 + y 2 )1.5 [(x − 0.8)2 + (y + 0.6)2 ]1.5
or
x[(x − 0.8)2 + (y + 0.6)2 ]1.5 = 2(0.8 − x)(x2 + y 2 )1.5

2.3. Point charges of 50nC each are located at A(1, 0, 0), B(−1, 0, 0), C(0, 1, 0), and D(0, −1, 0) in
free space. Find the total force on the charge at A.
The force will be:


(50 × 10−9 )2 RCA RDA RBA
F= + +
4π0 |RCA |3 |RDA |3 |RBA |3

√ = ax − ay , RDA = ax + ay , and RBA = 2ax . The magnitudes are |RCA | =

where RCA
|RDA | = 2, and |RBA | = 2. Substituting these leads to


(50 × 10−9 )2 1 1 2
F= √ + √ + ax = 21.5ax µN
4π0 2 2 2 2 8
where distances are in meters.

15
2.4. Let Q1 = 8 µC be located at P1 (2, 5, 8) while Q2 = −5 µC is at P2 (6, 15, 8). Let  = 0 .
a) Find F2 , the force on Q2 : This force will be
Q1 Q2 R12 (8 × 10−6 )(−5 × 10−6 ) (4ax + 10ay )
F2 = = = (−1.15ax − 2.88ay ) mN
4π0 |R12 |3 4π0 (116)1.5

b) Find the coordinates of P3 if a charge Q3 experiences a total force F3 = 0 at P3 : This

force in general will be:

Q3 Q1 R13 Q2 R23
F3 = +
4π0 |R13 |3 |R23 |3
where R13 = (x − 2)ax + (y − 5)ay and R23 = (x − 6)ax + (y − 15)ay . Note, however, that
all three charges must lie in a straight line, and the location of Q3 will be along the vector
R12 extended past Q2 . The slope of this vector is (15 − 5)/(6 − 2) = 2.5. Therefore, we
look for P3 at coordinates (x, 2.5x, 8). With this restriction, the force becomes:


Q3 8[(x − 2)ax + 2.5(x − 2)ay ] 5[(x − 6)ax + 2.5(x − 6)ay ]
F3 = −
4π0 [(x − 2)2 + (2.5)2 (x − 2)2 ]1.5 [(x − 6)2 + (2.5)2 (x − 6)2 ]1.5
where we require the term in large brackets to be zero. This leads to
8(x − 2)[((2.5)2 + 1)(x − 6)2 ]1.5 − 5(x − 6)[((2.5)2 + 1)(x − 2)2 ]1.5 = 0
which reduces to
8(x − 6)2 − 5(x − 2)2 = 0
or √ √
6 8−2 5
x= √ √ = 21.1
8− 5
The coordinates of P3 are thus P3 (21.1, 52.8, 8)

2.5. Let a point charge Q1 25 nC be located at P1 (4, −2, 7) and a charge Q2 = 60 nC be at

P2 (−3, 4, −2).
a) If  = 0 , find E at P3 (1, 2, 3): This field will be


10−9 25R13 60R23
E= +
4π0 |R13 |3 |R23 |3
√
where R√13 = −3ax + 4ay − 4az and R23 = 4ax − 2ay + 5az . Also, |R13 | = 41 and
|R23 | = 45. So


10−9 25 × (−3ax + 4ay − 4az ) 60 × (4ax − 2ay + 5az )
E= +
4π0 (41)1.5 (45)1.5
= 4.58ax − 0.15ay + 5.51az

b) At what point on the y axis is Ex = 0? P3 is now at (0, y, 0),  so R13 = −4ax +

(y + 2)ay − 7a z and R 23 = 3a x + (y − 4)a y + 2a z . Also, |R 13 | = 65 + (y + 2)2 and
|R23 | = 13 + (y − 4)2 . Now the x component of E at the new P3 will be:


10−9 25 × (−4) 60 × 3
Ex = +
4π0 [65 + (y + 2)2 ]1.5 [13 + (y − 4)2 ]1.5
To obtain Ex = 0, we require the expression in the large brackets to be zero. This
expression simplifies to the following quadratic:
0.48y 2 + 13.92y + 73.10 = 0
which yields the two values: y = −6.89, −22.11

16
2.6. Point charges of 120 nC are located at A(0, 0, 1) and B(0, 0, −1) in free space.
a) Find E at P (0.5, 0, 0): This will be


120 × 10−9 RAP RBP
EP = +
4π0 |RAP |3 |RBP |3
√
where RAP = 0.5ax − az and RBP = 0.5ax + az . Also, |RAP | = |RBP | = 1.25. Thus:
120 × 10−9 ax
EP = = 772 V/m
4π(1.25)1.5 0

b) What single charge at the origin would provide the identical field strength? We require
Q0
= 772
4π0 (0.5)2
from which we find Q0 = 21.5 nC.

2.7. A 2 µC point charge is located at A(4, 3, 5) in free space. Find Eρ , Eφ , and Ez at P (8, 12, 2).
Have


2 × 10−6 RAP 2 × 10−6 4ax + 9ay − 3az
EP = = = 65.9ax + 148.3ay − 49.4az
4π0 |RAP |3 4π0 (106)1.5
√
Then, at point P , ρ = 82 + 122 = 14.4, φ = tan−1 (12/8) = 56.3◦ , and z = z. Now,
Eρ = Ep · aρ = 65.9(ax · aρ ) + 148.3(ay · aρ ) = 65.9 cos(56.3◦ ) + 148.3 sin(56.3◦ ) = 159.7
and
Eφ = Ep · aφ = 65.9(ax · aφ ) + 148.3(ay · aφ ) = −65.9 sin(56.3◦ ) + 148.3 cos(56.3◦ ) = 27.4
Finally, Ez = −49.4

2.8. Given point charges of −1 µC at P1 (0, 0, 0.5) and P2 (0, 0, −0.5), and a charge of 2 µC at the
origin, find E at P (0, 2, 1) in spherical components, assuming  = 0 .
The field will take the general form:


10−6 R1 2R2 R3
EP = − + −
4π0 |R1 |3 |R2 |3 |R3 |3
where R1 , R2 , R3 are the vectors to P from each of the charges in their original listed
order. Specifically, R1 = (0, 2, 0.5), R2 = (0, 2, 1), and R3 = (0, 2, 1.5). The magnitudes are
|R1 | = 2.06, |R2 | = 2.24, and |R3 | = 2.50. Thus


10−6 −(0, 2, 0.5) 2(0, 2, 1) (0, 2, 1.5)
EP = + − = 89.9ay + 179.8az
4π0 (2.06)3 (2.24)3 (2.50)3
√ √
Now, at P , r = 5, θ = cos−1 (1/ 5) = 63.4◦ , and φ = 90◦ . So
Er = EP · ar = 89.9(ay · ar ) + 179.8(az · ar ) = 89.9 sin θ sin φ + 179.8 cos θ = 160.9
Eθ = EP · aθ = 89.9(ay · aθ ) + 179.8(az · aθ ) = 89.9 cos θ sin φ + 179.8(− sin θ) = −120.5
Eφ = EP · aφ = 89.9(ay · aφ ) + 179.8(az · aφ ) = 89.9 cos φ = 0

17
 2.9. A 100 nC point charge is located at A(−1, 1, 3) in free space.
a) Find the locus of all points P (x, y, z) at which Ex = 500 V/m: The total field at P will
be:
100 × 10−9 RAP
EP =
4π0 |RAP |3
where RAP = (x + 1)ax + (y − 1)ay + (z − 3)az , and where |RAP | = [(x + 1)2 + (y − 1)2 +
(z − 3)2 ]1/2 . The x component of the field will be


100 × 10−9 (x + 1)
Ex = = 500 V/m
4π0 [(x + 1)2 + (y − 1)2 + (z − 3)2 ]1.5

And so our condition becomes:

(x + 1) = 0.56 [(x + 1)2 + (y − 1)2 + (z − 3)2 ]1.5

b) Find y1 if P (−2, y1 , 3) lies on that locus: At point P , the condition of part a becomes
 3
3.19 = 1 + (y1 − 1)2

from which (y1 − 1)2 = 0.47, or y1 = 1.69 or 0.31

2.10. Charges of 20 and -20 nC are located at (3, 0, 0) and (−3, 0, 0), respectively. Let  = 0 .
Determine |E| at P (0, y, 0): The field will be


20 × 10−9 R1 R2
EP = −
4π0 |R1 |3 |R2 |3

where R1 , the vector from the positive charge to point P is (−3, y, 0), and R2 , the vector
 charge to point P , is (3, y, 0). The magnitudes of these vectors are
from the negative
|R1 | = |R2 | = 9 + y 2 . Substituting these into the expression for EP produces


20 × 10−9 −6ax
EP =
4π0 (9 + y 2 )1.5

from which
1079
|EP | = V/m
(9 + y 2 )1.5

2.11. A charge Q0 located at the origin in free space produces a field for which Ez = 1 kV/m at
point P (−2, 1, −1).
a) Find Q0 : The field at P will be


Q0 −2ax + ay − az
EP =
4π0 61.5

Since the z component is of value 1 kV/m, we find Q0 = −4π0 61.5 × 103 = −1.63 µC.

18
2.11. (continued)
b) Find E at M (1, 6, 5) in cartesian coordinates: This field will be:


−1.63 × 10−6 ax + 6ay + 5az
EM =
4π0 [1 + 36 + 25]1.5

or EM = −30.11ax − 180.63ay − 150.53az .

√
c) Find E at M (1, 6, 5) in cylindrical coordinates: At M , ρ = 1 + 36 = 6.08, φ =
tan−1 (6/1) = 80.54◦ , and z = 5. Now

Eρ = EM · aρ = −30.11 cos φ − 180.63 sin φ = −183.12

Eφ = EM · aφ = −30.11(− sin φ) − 180.63 cos φ = 0 (as expected)

so that EM = −183.12aρ − 150.53az .
√
d) Find E at M (1, 6, 5) in spherical coordinates: At M , r = 1 + 36 + 25 = 7.87, φ = 80.54◦
(as before), and θ = cos−1 (5/7.87) = 50.58◦ . Now, since the charge is at the origin, we
expect to obtain only a radial component of EM . This will be:

Er = EM · ar = −30.11 sin θ cos φ − 180.63 sin θ sin φ − 150.53 cos θ = −237.1

2.12. The volume charge density ρv = ρ0 e−|x|−|y|−|z| exists over all free space. Calculate the total
charge present: This will be 8 times the integral of ρv over the first octant, or
 ∞  ∞  ∞
Q=8 ρ0 e−x−y−z dx dy dz = 8ρ0
0 0 0

2.13. A uniform volume charge density of 0.2 µC/m3 (note typo in book) is present throughout the
spherical shell extending from r = 3 cm to r = 5 cm. If ρv = 0 elsewhere:
a) find the total charge present throughout the shell: This will be
 2π  π  .05
.05
r3
Q= 2
0.2 r sin θ dr dθ dφ = 4π(0.2) = 8.21 × 10−5 µC = 82.1 pC
0 0 .03 3 .03

b) find r1 if half the total charge is located in the region 3 cm < r < r1 : If the integral over
r in part a is taken to r1 , we would obtain

r
r3 1
4π(0.2) = 4.105 × 10−5
3 .03

Thus
1/3
3 × 4.105 × 10−5
r1 = + (.03)3 = 4.24 cm
0.2 × 4π

19
2.14. Let
1
ρv = 5e−0.1ρ (π − |φ|) µC/m3
+ 10 z2
in the region 0 ≤ ρ ≤ 10, −π < φ < π, all z, and ρv = 0 elsewhere.
a) Determine the total charge present: This will be the integral of ρv over the region where it
exists; specifically,
 ∞  π  10
1
Q= 5e−0.1ρ (π − |φ|) 2 ρ dρ dφ dz
−∞ −π 0 z + 10
which becomes

10  ∞  π
e−0.1ρ 1
Q=5 2
(−0.1 − 1) 2 (π − φ) 2 dφ dz
(0.1) 0 −∞ 0 z + 10
or  ∞
1
Q = 5 × 26.4 π2 dz
−∞ z2 + 10
Finally,

 ∞
1 z 5(26.4)π 3
Q = 5 × 26.4 × π 2
√ tan−1 √ = √ = 1.29 × 103 µC = 1.29 mC
10 10 −∞ 10

b) Calculate the charge within the region 0 ≤ ρ ≤ 4, −π/2 < φ < π/2, −10 < z < 10: With
the limits thus changed, the integral for the charge becomes:
 10  π/2  4
 1
Q = 2 5e−0.1ρ (π − φ) 2 ρ dρ dφ dz
−10 0 0 z + 10
Following the same evaulation procedure as in part a, we obtain Q = 0.182 mC.

2.15. A spherical volume having a 2 µm radius contains a uniform volume charge density of 1015
C/m3 .
a) What total charge is enclosed in the spherical volume?
This will be Q = (4/3)π(2 × 10−6 )3 × 1015 = 3.35 × 10−2 rmC.
b) Now assume that a large region contains one of these little spheres at every corner of a
cubical grid 3mm on a side, and that there is no charge between spheres. What is the
average volume charge density throughout this large region? Each cube will contain the
equivalent of one little sphere. Neglecting the little sphere volume, the average density
becomes
3.35 × 10−2
ρv,avg = = 1.24 × 106 C/m3
(0.003)3

2.16. The region in which 4 < r < 5, 0 < θ < 25◦ , and 0.9π < φ < 1.1π contains the volume charge
density of ρv = 10(r − 4)(r − 5) sin θ sin(φ/2). Outside the region, ρv = 0. Find the charge
within the region: The integral that gives the charge will be
 1.1π  25◦  5
Q = 10 (r − 4)(r − 5) sin θ sin(φ/2) r2 sin θ dr dθ dφ
.9π 0 4

20
2.16. (continued) Carrying out the integral, we obtain

5
25◦
 1.1π
r5 r4 r3 1 1 θ
Q = 10 − 9 + 20 θ − sin(2θ) −2 cos
5 4 3 4 2 4 0 2 .9π
= 10(−3.39)(.0266)(.626) = 0.57 C

2.17. A uniform line charge of 16 nC/m is located along the line defined by y = −2, z = 5. If  = 0 :
a) Find E at P (1, 2, 3): This will be

ρl RP
EP =
2π0 |RP |2

where RP = (1, 2, 3) − (1, −2, 5) = (0, 4, −2), and |RP |2 = 20. So


16 × 10−9 4ay − 2az
EP = = 57.5ay − 28.8az V/m
2π0 20

b) Find E at that point in the z = 0 plane where the direction of E is given by (1/3)ay −
(2/3)az : With z = 0, the general field will be


ρl (y + 2)ay − 5az
Ez=0 =
2π0 (y + 2)2 + 25

We require |Ez | = −|2Ey |, so 2(y + 2) = 5. Thus y = 1/2, and the field becomes:


ρl 2.5ay − 5az
Ez=0 = = 23ay − 46az
2π0 (2.5)2 + 25

2.18. Uniform line charges of 0.4 µC/m and −0.4 µC/m are located in the x = 0 plane at y = −0.6
and y = 0.6 m respectively. Let  = 0 .
a) Find E at P (x, 0, z): In general, we have


ρl R+P R−P
EP = −
2π0 |R+P | |R−P |

where R+P and R−P are, respectively, the vectors directed from the positive and negative
line charges to the point P , and these are normal to the z axis. We thus have R+P =
(x, 0, z) − (0, −.6, z) = (x, .6, 0), and R−P = (x, 0, z) − (0, .6, z) = (x, −.6, 0). So



ρl xax + 0.6ay xax − 0.6ay 0.4 × 10−6 1.2ay 8.63ay
EP = 2 2
− 2 2
= 2
= 2 kV/m
2π0 x + (0.6) x + (0.6) 2π0 x + 0.36 x + 0.36

21
2.18. (continued)
b) Find E at Q(2, 3, 4): This field will in general be:


ρl R+Q R−Q
EQ = −
2π0 |R+Q | |R−Q |
where R+Q = (2, 3, 4)−(0, −.6, 4) = (2, 3.6, 0), and R−Q = (2, 3, 4)−(0, .6, 4) = (2, 2.4, 0).
Thus


ρl 2ax + 3.6ay 2ax + 2.4ay
EQ = − 2 = −625.8ax − 241.6ay V/m
2π0 22 + (3.6)2 2 + (2.4)2

2.19. A uniform line charge of 2 µC/m is located on the z axis. Find E in cartesian coordinates at
P (1, 2, 3) if the charge extends from
a) −∞ < z < ∞: With the infinite line, we know that the field will have only a radial
component in cylindrical coordinates (or x and y components in cartesian). The field
from an infinite line on the z axis is generally E = [ρl /(2π0 ρ)]aρ . Therefore, at point P :
ρl RzP (2 × 10−6 ) ax + 2ay
EP = = = 7.2ax + 14.4ay kV/m
2π0 |RzP |2 2π0 5
where RzP is the vector that extends from the line charge to point P , and is perpendicular
to the z axis; i.e., RzP = (1, 2, 3) − (0, 0, 3) = (1, 2, 0).
b) −4 ≤ z ≤ 4: Here we use the general relation

ρl dz r − r
EP =
4π0 |r − r |3
where r = ax + 2ay + 3az and r = zaz . So the integral becomes

(2 × 10−6 ) 4 ax + 2ay + (3 − z)az
EP = dz
4π0 −4 [5 + (3 − z)2 ]1.5
Using integral tables, we obtain:

4
(ax + 2ay )(z − 3) + 5az
EP = 3597 V/m = 4.9ax + 9.8ay + 4.9az kV/m
(z 2 − 6z + 14) −4

The student is invited to verify that when evaluating the above expression over the limits
−∞ < z < ∞, the z component vanishes and the x and y components become those
found in part a.

2.20. Uniform line charges of 120 nC/m lie along the entire extent of the three coordinate axes.
Assuming free space conditions, find E at P (−3, 2, −1): Since all line charges are infinitely-
long, we can write:

ρl RxP RyP RzP
EP = + +
2π0 |RxP |2 |RyP |2 |RzP |2
where RxP , RyP , and RzP are the normal vectors from each of the three axes that terminate
on point P . Specifically, RxP = (−3, 2, −1) − (−3, 0, 0) = (0, 2, −1), RyP = (−3, 2, −1) −
(0, 2, 0) = (−3, 0, −1), and RzP = (−3, 2, −1) − (0, 0, −1) = (−3, 2, 0). Substituting these into
the expression for EP gives


ρl 2ay − az −3ax − az −3ax + 2ay
EP = + + = −1.15ax + 1.20ay − 0.65az kV/m
2π0 5 10 13

22
2.21. Two identical uniform line charges with ρl = 75 nC/m are located in free space at x = 0,
y = ±0.4 m. What force per unit length does each line charge exert on the other? The
charges are parallel to the z axis and are separated by 0.8 m. Thus the field from the charge
at y = −0.4 evaluated at the location of the charge at y = +0.4 will be E = [ρl /(2π0 (0.8))]ay .
The force on a differential length of the line at the positive y location is dF = dqE = ρl dzE.
Thus the force per unit length acting on the line at postive y arising from the charge at
negative y is
 1
ρ2l dz
F= ay = 1.26 × 10−4 ay N/m = 126 ay µN/m
0 2π0 (0.8)

The force on the line at negative y is of course the same, but with −ay .

2.22. A uniform surface charge density of 5 nC/m2 is present in the region x = 0, −2 < y < 2, and
all z. If  = 0 , find E at:
a) PA (3, 0, 0): We use the superposition integral:
 
ρs da r − r
E=
4π0 |r − r |3

where r = 3ax and r = yay + zaz . The integral becomes:

 ∞ 
ρs 2
3ax − yay − zaz
EP A = dy dz
4π0 −∞ −2 [9 + y 2 + z 2 ]1.5

Since the integration limits are symmetric about the origin, and since the y and z com-
ponents of the integrand exhibit odd parity (change sign when crossing the origin, but
otherwise symmetric), these will integrate to zero, leaving only the x component. This is
evident just from the symmetry of the problem. Performing the z integration first on the
x component, we obtain (using tables):
 2
∞  2
3ρs dy z 3ρs dy
Ex,P A = 2
 =
4π0 −2 (9 + y ) 9 + y 2 + z 2 −∞ 2π0 −2 (9 + y 2 )
 
3ρs 1 y 2
= tan−1 = 106 V/m
2π0 3 3 −2

The student is encouraged to verify that if the y limits were −∞ to ∞, the result would
be that of the infinite charged plane, or Ex = ρs /(20 ).
b) PB (0, 3, 0): In this case, r = 3ay , and symmetry indicates that only a y component will
exist. The integral becomes
 ∞ 2  2
ρs (3 − y) dy dz ρs (3 − y) dy
Ey,P B = =
4π0 −∞ −2 [(z + 9) − 6y + y ]
2 2 1.5 2π0 −2 (3 − y)2
ρs
=− ln(3 − y) 2−2 = 145 V/m
2π0

23
2.23. Given the surface charge density, ρs = 2 µC/m2 , in the region ρ < 0.2 m, z = 0, and is zero
elsewhere, find E at:
a) PA (ρ = 0, z = 0.5): First, we recognize from symmetry that only a z component of E will
be present. Considering a general point z on the z axis, we have r = zaz . Then, with
r = ρaρ , we obtain r − r = zaz − ρaρ . The superposition integral for the z component
of E will be:
 2π  0.2
0.2
ρs z ρ dρ dφ 2πρs 1
Ez,PA = 2 + z 2 )1.5
=− z 
4π0 0 0 (ρ 4π0 z 2 + ρ2

 0
ρs 1 1
= z √ −√
20 z2 z 2 + 0.4
With z = 0.5 m, the above evaluates as Ez,PA = 8.1 kV/m.
b) With z at −0.5 m, we evaluate the expression for Ez to obtain Ez,PB = −8.1 kV/m.

2.24. Surface charge density is positioned in free space as follows: 20 nC/m2 at x = −3, −30 nC/m2
at y = 4, and 40 nC/m2 at z = 2. Find the magnitude of E at the three points, (4, 3, −2),
(−2, 5, −1), and (0, 0, 0). Since all three sheets are infinite, the field magnitude associated
with each one will be ρs /(20 ), which is position-independent. For this reason, the net field
magnitude will be the same everywhere, whereas the field direction will depend on which side
of a given sheet one is positioned. We take the first point, for example, and find
20 × 10−9 30 × 10−9 40 × 10−9
EA = ax + ay − az = 1130ax + 1695ay − 2260az V/m
20 20 20
The magnitude of EA is thus 3.04 kV/m. This will be the magnitude at the other two points
as well.

2.25. Find E at the origin if the following charge distributions are present in free space: point
charge, 12 nC at P (2, 0, 6); uniform line charge density, 3nC/m at x = −2, y = 3; uniform
surface charge density, 0.2 nC/m2 at x = 2. The sum of the fields at the origin from each
charge in order is:




(12 × 10−9 ) (−2ax − 6az ) (3 × 10−9 ) (2ax − 3ay ) (0.2 × 10−9 )ax
E= + −
4π0 (4 + 36)1.5 2π0 (4 + 9) 20
= −3.9ax − 12.4ay − 2.5az V/m

2.26. A uniform line charge density of 5 nC/m is at y = 0, z = 2 m in free space, while −5 nC/m is
located at y = 0, z = −2 m. A uniform surface charge density of 0.3 nC/m2 is at y = 0.2 m,
and −0.3 nC/m2 is at y = −0.2 m. Find |E| at the origin: Since each pair consists of equal
and opposite charges, the effect at the origin is to double the field produce by one of each
type. Taking the sum of the fields at the origin from the surface and line charges, respectively,
we find:
0.3 × 10−9 5 × 10−9
E(0, 0, 0) = −2 × ay − 2 × az = −33.9ay − 89.9az
20 2π0 (2)
so that |E| = 96.1 V/m.

24
2.27. Given the electric field E = (4x − 2y)ax − (2x + 4y)ay , find:
a) the equation of the streamline that passes through the point P (2, 3, −4): We write

dy Ey −(2x + 4y)
= =
dx Ex (4x − 2y)

Thus
2(x dy + y dx) = y dy − x dx
or
1 1
2 d(xy) = d(y 2 ) − d(x2 )
2 2
So
1 2 1 2
C1 + 2xy = y − x
2 2
or
y 2 − x2 = 4xy + C2
Evaluating at P (2, 3, −4), obtain:

9 − 4 = 24 + C2 , or C2 = −19

Finally, at P , the requested equation is

y 2 − x2 = 4xy − 19

b) a unit vector specifying the direction of E√at Q(3, −2, 5): Have EQ = [4(3) + 2(2)]ax −
[2(3) − 4(2)]ay = 16ax + 2ay . Then |E| = 162 + 4 = 16.12 So

16ax + 2ay
aQ = = 0.99ax + 0.12ay
16.12

2.28. Let E = 5x3 ax − 15x2 y ay , and find:

a) the equation of the streamline that passes through P (4, 2, 1): Write

dy Ey −15x2 y −3y
= = =
dx Ex 5x3 x

So
dy dx
= −3 ⇒ ln y = −3 ln x + ln C
y x
Thus
C
y = e−3 ln x eln C =
x3
At P , have 2 = C/(4)3 ⇒ C = 128. Finally, at P ,

128
y=
x3

25
2.28. (continued)
b) a unit vector aE specifying the direction of E at Q(3, −2, 5): At Q, EQ = 135ax + 270ay ,
and |EQ | = 301.9. Thus aE = 0.45ax + 0.89ay .
c) a unit vector aN = (l, m, 0) that is perpendicular to aE at Q: Since this vector is to
have no z component, we can find it through aN = ±(aE × az ). Performing this, we find
aN = ±(0.89ax − 0.45ay ).

2.29. If E = 20e−5y (cos 5xax − sin 5xay ), find:

a) |E| at P (π/6, 0.1, 2): Substituting this point, we obtain EP = −10.6ax − 6.1ay , and so
|EP | = 12.2.
b) a unit vector in the direction of EP : In general, the unit vector associated with E is just
(cos 5xax − sin 5xay ), which evaluated at P becomes aE = −0.87ax − 0.50ay .
c) the equation of the direction line passing through P : Use

dy − sin 5x
= = − tan 5x ⇒ dy = − tan 5x dx
dx cos 5x
1
Thus y = 5 ln cos 5x + C. Evaluating at P , we find C = 0.13, and so

1
y= ln cos 5x + 0.13
5

2.30. Given the electric field intensity E = 400yax + 400xay V/m, find:
a) the equation of the streamline passing through the point A(2, 1, −2): Write:

dy Ey x
= = ⇒ x dx = y dy
dx Ex y

Thus x2 = y 2 + C. Evaluating at A yields C = 3, so the equation becomes

x2 y2
− =1
3 3


b) the equation of the surface on which |E| = 800 V/m: Have |E| = 400 x2 + y 2 = 800.
Thus x2 + y 2 = 4, or we have a circular-cylindrical surface, centered on the z axis, and of
radius 2.
c) A sketch of the part a equation would yield a parabola, centered at the origin, whose axis
is the positive x axis, and for which the slopes of the asymptotes are ±1.
d) A sketch of the trace produced by the intersection of the surface of part b with the z = 0
plane would yield a circle centered at the origin, of radius 2.

26
2.31. In cylindrical coordinates with E(ρ, φ) = Eρ (ρ, φ)aρ + Eφ (ρ, φ)aφ , the differential equation
describing the direction lines is Eρ /Eφ = dρ/(ρdφ) in any constant-z plane. Derive the
equation of the line passing through the point P (ρ = 4, φ = 10◦ , z = 2) in the field E =
2ρ2 cos 3φaρ + 2ρ2 sin 3φaφ : Using the given information, we write

Eρ dρ
= = cot 3φ
Eφ ρdφ

Thus
dρ 1
= cot 3φ dφ ⇒ ln ρ = ln sin 3φ + ln C
ρ 3
or ρ = C(sin 3φ)1/3 . Evaluate this at P to obtain C = 7.14. Finally,

ρ3 = 364 sin 3φ

27