Purcell Problem 2.69

Physics · electromagnetism

Problem

and φ\varphi for a slab A rectangular slab with uniform volume charge density ρ\rho has thickness 2δ in the x direction and infinite extent in the y and z directions. Let the x coordinate be measured relative to the center plane of the slab. For values of x both inside and outside the slab: (a) find the electric field E(x) (you can do this by considering the amount of charge on either side of x, or by using Gauss's law); (b) find the potential φ\varphi(x), with φ\varphi taken to be zero at x = 0; (c) verify that ρ\rho(x) = ε₀ ∇\nabla · E(x) and ρ\rho(x) = -ε₀ ∇\nabla²φ\varphi(x).

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