Question

An infinite length of charge of linear charge density, λ = 5.5 nC/m exists along the entire x-axis.
What would be the magnitude of the electric field on the y axis at y = 4.0 m?

Answer 1

Given:

An infinite length of charge of linear charge density, λ = 5.5 nC/m exists along the entire x-axis.

To find:

Magnitude of the electric field on the y axis at y = 4.0 m.

To find:

The General Expression for field intensity due to infinite wire is:

$E = \dfrac{2k \lambda}{d}$

• 'k' is Coulomb's Constant , $\lambda$ is linear charge density.

• Putting values in SI UNITS:

$\implies E = \dfrac{2(9 \times {10}^{9} )(5.5 \times {10}^{ - 9} )}{4}$

$\implies E = \dfrac{2 \times 9 \times 5.5 }{4}$

$\implies E = \dfrac{99}{4}$

$\implies E =24.75 \: N/C$

So, field intensity at that position is 24.75 N/C.