Electric field at centre O of semicircle of radius a having linear charge density is given as [figure]
- 2 0 a
- 0 a
- 2 0 a
- 0 a
Answer
(3) 2 0 a
Solution
Take a small element of the arc of length dl = a d at angle from the axis of symmetry (the dashed line through O); its charge is dq = a d .
Field at O due to it: dE = 14 0 a d a2 = d 4 0 a
Components perpendicular to the axis cancel in pairs; components along the axis add:
E = - /2 /2 d 4 0 a
= 4 0 a 2
E = 2 0 a
Answer: (3)