Charge density of a infinite straight wire

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the nearest distance of approach for a proton shot towards an infinite straight wire with a specified charge density. The user applies the conservation of energy principle, using the equation Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf, where Ki is the initial kinetic energy and Uf is the final potential energy. The derived formula for distance, d = (e * charge density * L) / (mass of proton * (v^2) * 2 * pi * Eo), indicates that the result should not depend on the length of the wire, raising questions about the assumptions made regarding the wire's charge and the proton's trajectory.

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caheobong
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Hi, I am new to this forum. I have a question on one of the physics problem.
a proton is shot with a speed v from the point a in the vicinity of a infinite straight wire carrying a charge density. in term of these variables determine the nearest distance of approach.



Homework Equations



Ki+Ui=Kf +Uf
Ui=0, Kf=0
U= (K*q1*q2)/d

The Attempt at a Solution


so this is what I have done so far:
first I set Ki+Ui=Kf+Uf
since Ui=0, Kf=0 then
Ki=Uf
Ki= (1/2)*m*(v^2) ( m is mass of proton)
Uf= (k*q1*q2)/d ( d is the distance we looking for, q1=e proton, q2= charge density *L)
set Uf=Ki and solve for d
d= (e * charge density * L)/ ( mass of proton * (V^2) * 2 * pi * Eo)

This is my attempt how to solve this problem. however this is an infinite charge wire, the result should not depend on L the length of the wire. So please help me. any hints will help.Thank you so much.
 
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It looks like some important details are missing:
Is the proton shot directly at the line charge? (Then the line charge must be positive for the question to make sense.)

If so, is its path perpendicular to the line charge?

If not, then there are details missing regarding the direction of the initial velocity relative to the location of the line charge. Also, the sign of the line charge would need to be specified.​
U = kq1q2d is the potential energy for two point charges, q1, q2, separated by distance d.

What is the difference in electric potential at distances dinitial & dother from an infinite line charge, with linear density, λ ?

.
 
In the picture, the proton is shot directly toward the charged line, maybe perpendicular
 
caheobong said:
In the picture, the proton is shot directly toward the charged line, maybe perpendicular
That's what I would expect, both directly toward the charged line, and perpendicular to it.

Do you know how electric potential varies with distance from an infinitely long line charge? If not, do you know how electric field varies with distance from an infinitely long line charge?
 

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