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Electric Field for Line of Charge

Last modified by
on
Sep 29, 2022, 12:52:23 AM
Created by
on
Jan 26, 2017, 3:44:26 AM
E=2kλr=2k(Cl)rE=2kλr=2k(Cl)r
(C)Charge(C)Charge
(l)unit length(l)unit length
(r)Distance from Line(r)Distance from Line

The Electric Field for Line of Charge calculator computes the electric field (E) at a distance, r, from an infinite line of charges.  

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

  • (λ) Charge per unit length
  • (l) Unit Length (default 1 meter).
  • (r) Distance from the line charge

Electric Field for Line of Charge (E): The calculator returns the charge in Coulombs.  However this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

The Electric Field for Line of Charge equation assumes a long line of point charges, each a minute charge element. The individual electric fields of each of these point charges are imagined as overlapping fields and thus the composite electric field of all the point charges lined up generates the electric field we compute here at any radial distance from the line of charges. The resultant electric field we calculate here is typically represented in standard units of V/m.  In vCalc, of course, the calculated electric field can be computed in numerous different units of elect field intensity.

The Electric Field for Line of Charge equation is as follows:

E=2kλrE=2kλr

where

  • EE is the electric field
  • kk is the constant: 14πε014πε0
  • λλ is the charge per unit length
  • rr is the distance from the line charge

Because λλ is a charge per unit length, we substitute ClCl  for λλ, making CC and ll inputs to the equation

where

  • CC is the electric charge (typically in Coulombs, but you can choose your own units)
  • ll is the unit length (typically in meters, but again you can choose your own units.  

Notes on using this vCalc equation

Note 1: To have λλ work properly as units of charge per unit length, you can change the units of ll but leave the value of ll as 1.

Note 2:      ε0 is the Permittivityof a vacuum and is approximately to 8.854187817E-12 F/m.  We use the vCalc constant for the Permittivityof a vacuum.

Inputs

  • CC is the electric charge
  • ll is the unit length
  • rr is the distance from the line charge

Units of electric field intensity

Units of electric field intensity offered in vCalc are:  Vm=NC=kgfC=lbfC=Vft=VinVm=NC=kgfC=lbfC=Vft=Vin

See also

 

This equation, Electric Field for Line of Charge, references 2 pages
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