Savchenko Solutions
<h3 id="back-link"><a href="/#6.2">$\leftarrow$Back</a></h3>
<h3> Statement </h3>
<p>
$6.2.12.$ In a uniformly charged infinite plate, a spherical cavity was cut out as shown in the figure. Plate's thickness is $h$ and its bulk charge density is $\rho$. What is the electric field strength at point $A$? At point $B$? Find the dependence of the electric field strength along the line $OA$ on the distance to the point $O$.
Solution
The idea for solving this problem is to consider superposition principle: as cavity is uncharged, we can suppose that it exists a superposition of a plate (with charge density
Answer 1
<p>
For point $B$, the way is similar: in this case the plate without cavity generates certain field in $B$, located on its surface. From Gauss's Law
$$E_p\cdot S = \frac{q_t}{\varepsilon_0}$$
as $S = \frac{V}{h}$, and $\rho = \frac{q_t}{V}$
$$E_p = \frac{\rho h}{\varepsilon_0}$$
but, for one of the side of plate, field is $E_B' = \frac{E_p}{2} = \frac{\rho h}{2\varepsilon_0}$
Now, overlapping with field generated by sphere,
$$E_B = E_B' - E_c$$
where $E_c = E_A$,
</p>
<h4>Answer 2</h4>
<p>
$$E_B = \frac{\rho h}{3\varepsilon_0}$$
</p>
<p>
As $A$ is on line $OA$, all points over that line "feel" only the electric field generated by sphere. From Gauss's Law
$$-E(r) \cdot 4\pi r^2 = -\frac{q_{enc}}{\varepsilon_0}$$
as $V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$, so $3\frac{V}{r} = 4\pi r^2$, and $\rho = \frac{q_{enc}}{V}$
</p>
<h4>Answer 3</h4>
<p>
$$E(r) = \frac{\rho r}{3\varepsilon_0}$$
for $0\leq r \leq \frac{h}{2}$.
</p>
<p style="text-align: right; font-style: italic; font-size: 14;">
BSc. Luis Daniel Fernández Quintana<br>
Physics Department (FCNE)<br>
Universidad de Oriente, Cuba<br>
</p>
<footer class="row container">
<br>
<p>
<small> © <strong>Savchenko Solutions</strong>, 2023-2024 <br></small>
</p>
<p>
<small>All rights belong to the authors. <br> Commercial use of materials - with the written permission of the authors. <br> alex@savchenkosolutions.com <br></small>
</p>
</footer>