Q146 / 160 · TS EAMCET 2021 (05 Aug Shift 1) · Physics

A semi-infinite non conducting rod lies along +x-axis with its left end at the origin. The rod has uniform linear charge density λ. The magnitude of electric field |E→| at a point on the y-axis at the distance L from the origin, will be
Figure

  • A
    λ4πε0L
  • B
    λ2πε0 L
  • Correct answer
    C
    λ22πε0 L
  • D
    2λπε0 L

Solution

Consider an infinitesimal section of the rod of length dx, a distance x  from the left end, as shown in the figure below.

Figure

It contains charge dq=λdx and is a distance r from L.

Magnitude of the field produces by dx at L is given by dE=kλdxr2.

The x and the y components of electric field are dEx=kλdxr2sinθ and dEy=kλdxr2cosθ.

Using θ as variable of integration and substituting r=Lcosθ and x=Ltanθ.

⇒dx=Lcos2θdθ

The limits of integration are 0 and πr radian. 

Ex=kλL∫0π2sinθdθ=-kλLcosθ0π2=kλL

Ey=kλL∫0π2cosθdθ=kλLsinθ0π2=kλL

Now, electric field is E=Ex2+Ey2=kλL2+kλL2

=2kλL

=2λ4πε0L=λ22πε0L

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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