Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 26 - The Electric Field - Exercises and Problems - Page 778: 61

Answer

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ If you know that the electric field at the center of a charged disk is $\eta/2\epsilon_0$ and that the electric field at some point that is at a distance of $z$ on the disk's axis is just half this value. Find $z$ in terms of the radius of the disk $R$. $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ Solving the given formula for $z$, we can see that $\eta/2\epsilon_0$ cancels from both sides, $$1-\dfrac{z}{\sqrt{z^2+R^2}}=\dfrac{1}{2}$$ Hence, $$2z= \sqrt{z^2+R^2} $$ Squaring both sides, $$4z^2= z^2+R^2 $$ $$3z^2= R^2$$ $$z=\sqrt{\dfrac{ R^2}{3}}$$ $$\boxed{z=\dfrac{ R}{\sqrt3}}$$
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