Electric Field in a Pipe with Square Cross Section

Is the electric field constant inside the pipe of square cross section on which the charge is distributed with uniform surface density?

True or False?

Answer:

True

When considering a pipe with a square cross section on which the charge is distributed with uniform surface density, the electric field is indeed constant inside the pipe.

This occurs because the charge is spread uniformly on the surface of the pipe, leading to a constant charge density. According to Gauss's Law, the electric field inside a closed surface is directly proportional to the total charge enclosed by that surface.

Since the charge distribution is uniform on the surface of the square cross section pipe, the total charge enclosed within the Gaussian surface remains constant. As a result, the electric field inside the pipe is also constant.

This constant electric field inside the pipe translates to zero electric field outside the pipe, as the charge is distributed with uniform surface density.

Understanding the behavior of electric fields in various geometric configurations is crucial in understanding electrostatics and its applications.