Section 21.2 Charge Diagrams
Subsubsection Key Ideas
Representation 21.2.2. Charge Diagram.
A charge diagram shows a simple picture of an object with small \(+\) and \(-\) labels indicating where charge is present, what type of charge is present, and where the charge density is greatest and smallest.
Subsubsection Activities
Activity 21.2.1. Charge Densities.
Make a charge diagram for each of the following charge densities. What is the purpose of the various constants in these expressions?
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\(\lambda(x) = +\lambda_1 \frac{x}{L}\) between \(x=-L\) and \(x=+L\)
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\(\lambda(y) = \frac{+q_2}{y}\) between \(y=0\) and \(y=\infty\)
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\(\sigma(s,\theta) = +\sigma_3 \frac{s^2}{R^2}\) between \(s=0\) and \(s=R\text{,}\) where \(s\) is the radial distance from the origin.
Activity 21.2.2. Charge Diagram.
Shown above is a charge diagram for a disc. Indicate the location with the greatest charge density.
