Total Charge

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity is designed to help students calculate the total charge of various shapes.
2. Students use multivariable integration in various coordinate systems in order to find the total charge of a given object with a specific charge density.
3. The compare and contrast wrap-up discussion focuses on relating different volume charge densities and how the limits of integration are related to the shape of the object.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

Middle division students typically have very little experience working with non-constant charge densities and need practice integrating over spherical and cylindrical volumes. In this activity, students use their knowledge of differential volume elements in spherical and cylindrical coordinate systems. This activity also allows students to practice integrating by substitution.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version

Student Handouts

vftotalchargehand.pdf

vftotalchargehand.tex