A Mysterious Calculus Operation

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around the integration of a complex physics equation involving electric potential, specifically the equation V = \frac{\sigma}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\int_{0}^{R}\int_{0}^{2\pi} \frac{r}{\sqrt{R^2 + r^2 - 2Rr\cos{\theta}}} \,d\theta \,dr. Participants seek clarification on the transition to the simplified form V = \frac{\sigma}{4\pi \epsilon_0}R\int_{0}^{2\pi} \cos{\theta} \ln{\left ( 1 + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{1-\cos{\alpha}}} \right ) }\,dA +8R - 2\pi R. The key focus is on understanding the integral with respect to r, particularly the expression \int_{0}^{R} \frac{r}{\sqrt{R^2 + r^2 - 2Rr\cos{\theta}}} \,dr, and how it simplifies to the latter equation.

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  • Understanding of calculus, specifically double integrals
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Saketh
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I was doing a physics problem which leads me to this equation:
[tex] V = \frac{\sigma}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\int_{0}^{R}\int_{0}^{2\pi} \frac{r}{\sqrt{R^2 + r^2 - 2Rr\cos{\theta}}} \,d\theta \,dr[/tex]
Stumped by the math, I turned to the solution. However, without a word of explanation, the solution jumps from the above equation to the following:
[tex] V = \frac{\sigma}{4\pi \epsilon_0}R\int_{0}^{2\pi} \cos{\theta} \ln{\left ( 1 + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{1-\cos{\alpha}} \right ) }\,dA +8R - 2\pi R[/tex]
I had no idea how that happened. I would appreciate it if someone could explain what I should to do arrive at this latter equation. I don't need a full explanation, just a push in the right direction.

EDIT: I understand that it's an integral, I just don't understand how the integral was done. Specifically, this one:
[tex] \int_{0}^{R} \frac{r}{\sqrt{R^2 + r^2 - 2Rr\cos{\theta}}} \,dr[/tex]
Thanks.
 
Last edited:
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To find the solution you first have to perform the integration with respect [tex]r[/tex].

By the way, you have to observe that:

[tex]\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2 +R^2 - 2 R r \cos \theta}} = \frac{r - R \cos \theta}{\sqrt{(r-R \cos \theta)^2 + R^2 \sin^2 \theta}} + \frac{R \cos \theta}{\sqrt{(r-R \cos \theta)^2 + R^2 \sin^2 \theta}}}[/tex].
 
Last edited:

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