Processing math: 100%
Rankers Physics
Topic: Electrostatics
Subtopic: Gauss's Law

There are two non-conducting spheres having uniform volume charge densities ρ and –ρ . Both spheres have equal radius R. The spheres are now laid down such that they overlaps as shown in the figure. The electric field \overrightarrow{E} in the overlap region is Image related to
non uniform
zero
\frac{\rho}{3\epsilon_{0}}\overrightarrow{d}
\frac{\rho}{3\epsilon_{0}}\overrightarrow{r}

Solution:

To calculate the electric field in the overlap region, we use the principle of superposition of electric fields. Let's analyze:

Step 1: Electric field due to one sphere
For a uniformly charged non-conducting sphere, the electric field inside the sphere at a distance \vec{r} from the center is:

\vec{E}_{\text{sphere}} = \frac{\rho}{3\epsilon_0} \vec{r}

Here:
- \rho is the charge density of the sphere,
- \epsilon_0 is the permittivity of free space,
- \vec{r} is the position vector from the center of the sphere.

Step 2: Contribution of both spheres in the overlap region
- For the positively charged sphere (+\rho), the electric field at any point in the overlap region is directed **away** from its center, proportional to \vec{r}_1 (distance from its center).
- For the negatively charged sphere (-\rho), the electric field at any point in the overlap region is directed **toward** its center, proportional to \vec{r}_2 (distance from its center).

Thus, the net electric field is the vector sum:

\vec{E}_{\text{net}} = \frac{\rho}{3\epsilon_0} \vec{r}_1 + \frac{-\rho}{3\epsilon_0} \vec{r}_2

Step 3: Relation between \vec{r}_1, \vec{r}_2, and \vec{d}
In the overlap region, \vec{r}_1 - \vec{r}_2 = \vec{d}, where \vec{d} is the displacement vector between the centers of the two spheres.

Substitute this into the expression for \vec{E}_{\text{net}}:

\vec{E}_{\text{net}} = \frac{\rho}{3\epsilon_0} (\vec{r}_1 - \vec{r}_2) = \frac{\rho}{3\epsilon_0} \vec{d}

Final Answer:

The electric field in the overlap region is:

{\frac{\rho}{3\epsilon_0} \vec{d}}

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