Question

Physics II: Gauss' Law Question (typing it, hold on)

Answer 1

Why is there a difference of 1/2 between these two equations?

\[E=\frac{ \sigma }{ \epsilon_0} \]

and

\[E=\frac{ \sigma }{ 2\epsilon_0} \]?

Answer 2

context?

Answer 3

Why is there a difference of 1/2 between these two equations?

\[E=\frac{ \sigma }{ \epsilon_0} \]

and

\[E=\frac{ \sigma }{ 2\epsilon_0} \]?

Answer 4

We need the context in which both equations are used to determine why there is a difference.

Answer 5

Yeah, this question doesn't make any sense as a standalone.

Answer 6

Those are two general equations for the electric field of a conducting surface and a conducting infinite plane of charge. One should be able to identify the equations without me having to state their names. It's like asking me to state what the meaning of F = ma is. It's alright, I'll just close the question. The name "Gauss' Law" should have been enough information. I'm just stating my instructor's exact question.

Answer 7

In one case the charge is on one side and in the other the charge is on both sides. That means that there is twice as much charge on one compared to the other.

Answer 8

"I'm just stating my instructor's exact question. "

yes, and within that personal context, as was suggested above.

some of us know something about Maxwell's equations, find the fascinating, and are willing to share and learn, yet are not sitting in your class doing your course.

maybe we should follow your lead and becomes overly sensitive and just not come here anymore.

and to address your analogy, had your question been something along the lines of:

"Why is there a difference of 1/2 between these two equations
I = Mr^2

and

I = Mr^2/2",

then I would hope that you & we would have got the same kind of response - after you explained that you were talking about the difference between a disc and half of a disc.

sheesh.