OlympIQ
Read before you solve · 3 min

Read Charged Sector Discs: Integrate Rings, Then the Angle

At a point on the symmetry axis, every area element at the same radius has the same distance to the point. A quarter disc changes only the angular range in the area integral.

NSEP · Electrostatics · 1 linked question · 100% coverage
Know this first

Potential on the Axis of a Sector Disc is the central idea in this question pattern. Identify the condition in the stem before applying the method below.

Study deeper: NCERT Physics · Electrostatics

Start with the condition

Write dV = (1/(4 π ε₀)) sigma (rho d-rho d-θ)/sqrt(rho squared + z²)

Integrate rho first, then use the sector angle π/2.

Build the governing relation

Check dimensions: sigma times a length divided by ε₀ has volts. At large z the answer should approach total charge divided by 4 π ε₀ z.

Finish with a physical check

Check the limiting case before selecting an option: remove the special feature in the diagram or make the relevant parameter very large or very small. The result should reduce to a familiar relation.

OlympIQ exam lens

  • ✓State the physical condition before choosing a formula.
  • ✓Keep direction, sign and constraint information explicit.
  • ✓Test one limiting case before committing to an option.
OlympIQ trap

Using the full-disc result without multiplying by the quarter angular fraction gives four times the potential.

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