Charge Density

Created and Claimed by Zachary Matthews

The Main Idea

When considering the derivation of the electric field for objects extending the complexity of point charges, the concept of charge density is one that repeatedly makes an appearance. Essentially, this refers to the amount of charge per given measurement of space. Thus, because it can exist in one dimensional, two dimensional, and three dimensional forms, charge density can be represented as linear charge density, surface charge density, or volumetric charge density.

A Mathematical Model

For each of the different types of charge density, the mathematical basis is the same, and it is quite obvious that each of the following can be related to the other two.

1) Linear charge density refers to the total amount of charge per unit length. It is modeled by the following equation:

[math]\displaystyle{ \lambda = \frac{Q}{L} }[/math]

2) Surface charge density refers to the total amount of charge per unit area. It is modeled by the following equation:

[math]\displaystyle{ \sigma = \frac{Q}{A} }[/math]

3) Volumetric charge density refers to the total amount of charge per unit volume. It is modeled by the following equation:

[math]\displaystyle{ \rho = \frac{Q}{V} }[/math]

A Computational Model

Examples

Be sure to show all steps in your solution and include diagrams whenever possible

Connectedness

1. How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
2. How is it connected to your major?
3. Is there an interesting industrial application?

History

Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

See also

Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore? How does this topic fit into that context?

Further reading

Books, Articles or other print media on this topic

External links

[1]

References

This section contains the the references you used while writing this page