Physics II

BACHELOR IN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENTS 2:
Gauss Law.

1. Calculate the electric field flux across:

a) the closed prism.

b) the open parabolic surface.
c) the sphere of radius R located at a distance d of an infinite wire with a charge density λ considering the
cases where R ≤ d and R > d.
d) a cube of side L due to the electric field generated by a point charge Q placed at the center of the cube and
six identical point charges q symmetrically placed around Q at a distance less than L, as shown in the figure
2𝜆√𝑅 2 −𝑑2 𝑄+6𝑞
Sol: a) 𝛷𝐸 = 0, b) 𝛷𝐸 = 𝐸0 𝜋𝑅2 , c) 𝛷𝐸 (𝑅 ≤ 𝑑) = 0, 𝛷𝐸 (𝑅 > 𝑑) = 𝜀0
, d) 𝛷𝐸 = 𝜀0
,

2. Imagine two surfaces: a cube and a superposed pyramid, as shown in the figure.
If there is a charge Q=10 nC inside the cube, calculate the electric field flux
across:
a) the external surface of the whole volume composed by the cube and the pyramid.
b) the surface of the cube. c) The face ABCD of the cube.
d) the surface of the pyramid. e) The lateral surface of the pyramid (this is,
without the base).
3. Find the electric field due to the following charge distributions, plot its dependence and draw the electric
field lines for:

a) a non-conducting sphere of radius a with charge density ρ0>0.

b) A spherical Shell of radius a with constant charge density σ0>0.
c) An infinitely long wire with constant charge density λ0>0.
d) A non-conducting infinite plane with homogeneous charge density σ>0.
e) two infinite planes separated a distance d with constant charge densities +σ and -σ.

1 𝑎 3 1 1
𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 ≥ 𝑎 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 ≥ 𝑎 𝜎 𝑎2 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 ≥ 𝑎
= 3𝜀0 {𝑟2 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 ≥ 𝑎 , b) 𝐸⃗ = 4𝜋𝜀 {𝑟2
𝑄 𝜌 𝑄
Sol: a) 𝐸⃗ = 4𝜋𝜀 {𝑟2 = 0𝜀 {𝑟2 ,
0 𝑟 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 < 𝑎 0
𝑟 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 < 𝑎 0 0; 𝑟 < 𝑎 0 0; 𝑟 < 𝑎

1
 Physics II
BACHELOR IN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENTS 2:
Gauss Law.
0 ; 𝑧 < − 𝑑⁄2
𝑘̂ ; 𝑧 > 0 𝜎
, e) 𝐸⃗ = − 2𝜀 𝑘̂ ; − 𝑑⁄2 < 𝑧 < 𝑑⁄2
𝜆 𝜎
c) 𝐸⃗ = 2𝜋𝜀 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 > 0 , d) 𝐸⃗ = 2𝜀 {
0𝑟 0 ̂
−𝑘 ; 𝑧 < 0 0

{ 0 ; 𝑧 > 𝑑⁄2

4. A non-conducting sphere of radius 𝑅1 = 50𝑐𝑚 and homogeneous volumetric charge density ρ1 is placed
centered on point 𝑟1 = (3,1,3). Additionally, a second non-conducting sphere of radius 𝑅2 = 1𝑚
with homogeneous volume charge density ρ2 is placed centered on point 𝑟2 = (−1,0,2). If you know that
the electric field at point 𝑟0 = (1,2,1) is 𝐸⃗= (0,1,-1) kV/m, calculate the net charge of the first sphere Q1
and the net charge of the second sphere Q2.
Note: coordinates are given in meters.
Sol: 𝑄1 = 𝑄2 = 1𝜇𝐶

5. What is the electric field created by an infinitely long cylinder of radius

R charged with constant charge density ρ0?

𝑅2
𝜌 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 ≥ 𝑅
Sol: 𝐸⃗ [𝑁/𝐶] = 2𝜀0 { 𝑟
0
𝑟 𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 ≤ 𝑅

6. The electric field on the surface of a solid sphere has magnitude |E|=150 N/C and is directed towards its
center. If the sphere has radius R=6.37m:
a) calculate the total charge of the sphere.
b) if the charge is uniformly distributed, what is the charge contained in a concentric sphere of radius R/2?
c) what is the electric field on the surface of the smaller sphere?
Sol: a) 𝑄 = −6.77 × 10-7 C, b) 𝑄 = -8.47 × 10-8 𝐶, c) 𝐸 = 75 𝑁⁄𝐶

7. A spherical Shell of inner radius 𝑎 = 4 𝑐𝑚 and outer radius 2𝑎 contains a homogeneous volumetric
density of charge 𝜌 =– 3 𝑛𝐶⁄𝑐𝑚3. A point charge 𝑄 = 4.5 𝜇𝐶 is placed in the center of the shell:
a) the electrostatic electric field as a function of the distance to the center of the sphere.
b) the positions in the space where the electric field is null, if any.
𝑄
4𝜋𝜀0𝑟2
𝑟̂ ; 𝑟<𝑎
4
𝑄+ 𝜋𝜌(𝑟3 −𝑎 3)
Sol: a) 𝐸⃗ [𝑁/𝐶] = 3
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2
𝑟̂ ; 𝑎 < 𝑟 < 2𝑎
4
𝑄+ 𝜋𝜌(𝑏 3−𝑎 3)
3
{ 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2
𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 > 2𝑎

8. A homogeneous surface charge σ1 is placed on a thin cylindrical shell of

radius 𝑅1. Another homogenous surface charge σ2 is placed on a second
thin cylindrical shell of radius 𝑅2, with 𝑅2 > 𝑅1.
a) Calculate the electric field anywhere in the space.
b) Calculate the required relation between σ1 and σ2 such that the electric field
is zero for any position out of the shells, this is, for 𝑟 > 𝑅).

0 ; 𝑟 < 𝑅1
𝜎1𝑅1
Sol: a) 𝐸⃗ [𝑁/𝐶] = 𝜀0 𝑟
𝑟̂ ; 𝑅1 < 𝑟 < 𝑅2
𝜎1𝑅1+𝜎2𝑅2
{ 𝜀0 𝑟
𝑟̂ ; 𝑟 > 𝑅2

2
 Physics II
BACHELOR IN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENTS 2, EXTRA:
Gauss Law.

1. A set is composed by: an infinitely long wire with linear

charge density 𝜆" = −1 𝑛𝐶⁄𝑚, parallel to the Z axis and
passing through the point (−2,0,0); a sphere of radius 𝑎 =
0.2𝑚 centered on position (2,0,0), with a homogenous
volumetric density of charge 𝜌0 = 10 𝑛𝐶⁄𝑚2.
a) Calculate the electric field at any point of the Z axis.
b) What value should the sphere density of charge 𝜌′0 such that
the electric field would be zero at the origin?
Note: coordinates are given in meters.

6 3𝑧0
Sol: 𝑎) 𝐸⃗ [𝑁/𝐶] = − ( 3⁄
+ 9) 𝑖̂ + ( ⁄3 ) 𝑘̂, 𝑏) 𝜌 = −120𝑛𝐶/𝑚 3
(𝑧02 +4) 2 (𝑧02 +4) 2

2. Two infinitely parallel planes, charged with a constant charge

density 𝜎 = 1 𝑛𝐶⁄𝑚2, are separated a distance 4R, with R=1
m. The planes are at the same distance from an infinite
cylinder with radius R charged with a constant charge density
𝜌0 = 2 𝑛𝐶⁄𝑚3. What is the electric field at any position
along the Y axis.

3. An infinite in length block of thickness d has a volumetric density of charge

𝜌 (see the figure).
a) Based on symmetry arguments, justify why the electric field is zero on the 𝑥 =
0 plane.
b) Find that the electric field generated by the block is given by:
𝜌
𝑥 ; |𝑥| < 𝑑⁄2
𝜀0
𝐸⃗ (𝑥) = 𝜌𝑑 𝑥
; |𝑥| ≥ 𝑑⁄2
{ 2𝜀0 |𝑥|

4. Find the electric flux crossing the surface of a cube of side L shown in the figure knowing that the electric
field is given by:
a) 𝐸⃗ = 𝐴𝑦𝑗̂
b) 𝐸⃗ = 𝐵𝑖̂ + (𝐶 + 𝐴𝑦)𝑗̂
c) 𝐸⃗ = 𝐵𝑖̂ + 𝐶𝑧𝑘̂
d) Can you infer the charge enclosed by the cube in the previous cases?
Evaluate using L = 1.4 m, A = 30 NC-1 m-², B = - 4 N/C, C= 6 NC-1m-².
Sol: a), b) 𝛷E = 𝐴𝐿3 = 82 𝑁𝑚2⁄𝐶, c) 𝛷E = 𝐶𝐿3 = 16.5 𝑁𝑚2⁄𝐶

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 Physics II
BACHELOR IN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENTS 2, EXTRA:
Gauss Law.

5. You have a thin straight wire placed along 𝑥 =– 2 with a linear charge density 𝜆0 = 1,5 𝑛𝐶⁄𝑚. A charge
q=1.3nC is placed in the position (1,2). Find out the electric field at position (2,3⁄2).
Note: coordinates are given in meters.

6. A hole of radius R is drilled on an infinitely large plane with uniform charge density
𝜎. Calculate the electric field at any point along the axis of the hole.
Evaluate the result for the particular case R = 1m, σ = 1 nC/m2, D= 1m.

7. A sphere with uniform volumetric density of charge ρ and radius a is drilled

along one of its diameters (see figure). The hole, of radius b=10 -2a, can be
considered very thin, when compared with the size of the sphere. Using the
superposition principle, calculate the electric field in the point P shown in the
figure.

𝜌𝑎 1 10−4
Sol: 𝐸 = 3𝜀 (3 − 4
)
0