Determine work done by electric field

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric potential difference, V_MN, between two points M(2,6,-1) and N(-3,-3,2) in a given electric field. The user initially attempts to find V_MN by normalizing the displacement vector, which leads to an incorrect result of -103.97 V, while the textbook solution is -139.0 V. The correct approach involves using the full displacement vector without normalization, expressed as dℓ = i dx + j dy + k dz. The error stems from the incorrect application of the displacement vector in the integral calculation. Properly applying the displacement vector will yield the correct potential difference.
Baramos

Homework Statement


Given electric field ##\vec E = 6x^2\hat i +6y\hat j+4\hat z## v/m
Find ## V_{MN}## if both M and N separate by M(2,6,-1) and N(-3,-3,2)

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


here i find ##V_{MN}## by
unit vector from N to M is ##\frac 1 {\sqrt (115)}(5\hat i +9\hat j -3\hat k)##
so ##V_{MN} = -\int \vec E \cdot \vec {dl} = \int \vec E \cdot \vec {\frac 1 {\sqrt 115}(5dx\hat i +9dy\hat j -3dz\hat k)}##
and then i find intregral with respect to x from -3 to 2
respect to y from -3 to 6
respect to z from 2 to -1
and my answer is -103.97 v but textbook solution is -139.0 v what i do wrong
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You should not normalise ##d\vec \ell##. You need to use the appropriate expression for the displacement vector, i.e., ##d\vec \ell = \hat i dx + \hat j dy + \hat k dz##.
 
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