Concentric Cylindrical Conducting Shells Potential Difference

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the potential difference between two concentric cylindrical conducting shells with given charge densities. The inner shell has a radius of 4.5 cm and a linear charge density of -0.35 μC/m, while the outer shell has an inner radius of 17.1 cm, an outer radius of 20.1 cm, and a linear charge density of 0.35 μC/m. To find the potential difference V(c) - V(a), the electric field must be determined using Gauss's law, as the charge is provided in terms of linear charge density. The potential difference can then be calculated using the integral of the electric field along the path from the inner to the outer shell. The initial confusion expressed in the thread highlights the challenge of applying Gauss's law to derive the electric field for a three-dimensional object.
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Homework Statement



An infiinitely long solid conducting cylindrical shell of radius a = 4.5 cm and negligible thickness is positioned with its symmetry axis along the z-axis as shown. The shell is charged, having a linear charge density λinner = -0.35 μC/m. Concentric with the shell is another cylindrical conducting shell of inner radius b = 17.1 cm, and outer radius c = 20.1 cm. This conducting shell has a linear charge density λ outer = 0.35μC/m.

https://www.physicsbrain.com/images/content/EM/08/h8_cylinder.png

What is V(c) – V(a), the potential difference between the the two cylindrical shells?

Homework Equations



\Delta V = V_b - V_a = \frac{{\Delta U}}{{q_0 }} = - \int_a^b {E \cdot d\ell }

V(c)-V(a) = -integral from A to C of the Electric Field dot dl

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know where to start. I don't even know how to get the electric field or charge of a 3-D object (outer cylindrical shell) when I'm only given lambda, charge/meter.
 
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Use Gauss's law to get the electric field.
 
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