Electric Field - Charged Rod Question

AI Thread Summary
To find the electric field E(x,0,0) along the x-axis due to a uniformly charged rod on the z-axis, the total electric field is derived from the vector sum of contributions from each segment of the rod. The relevant equations involve integrating the charge elements, where dq is expressed as λdz, and the electric field contribution from each segment is given by dE(x) = K dq / (x² + z²). The integration should be performed from 0 to Q/λ to account for the entire length of the rod. The integrals provided in the problem are essential for solving the electric field components. Proper application of these integrals will yield the desired electric field expression.
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Homework Statement


A charged rod with uniform charge per length and total charge Q is placed along the z-axis with one end at the origin. The rod is located on the positive z-axis according the the diagram accompanying the problem (not shown). Find the electric field E(x,0,0) at any point along the x-axis.

Homework Equations


1) I have been given the integral x dx / (x^2 + a^2)^3/2.
2) I have been given a second integral dx / (x^2 + a^2)^3/2

The Attempt at a Solution



Since I know I need to use those two integrals, I solved them first:

1) = - 1 / square root of (x^2 + a^2)
2) = x / a * square root of (x^2 + a^2)

I realize that the total field will be the vector sum of all the segments of the rod (and so I imagine that even though I'm solving for only the x component that it has more than just that). I believe that I need to use the equation E = ke integral of dq / r^2 unit vector r. In this, r is the distance from the charge element to a point and the unit vector r is directed "from the element toward the point." I've played around with this a bit, but I'm at a loss. I realize that I will need to use the two integrals (otherwise they wouldn't have been given in the problem), but I'm not sure where exactly I need to utilize them. I'm not sure where to go with the equation for E that I expect to need, either. Any help would be very much appreciated.
 
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You take a small element dz at a distance z from the origin whose charge is dq=\lambda dz.
Then the electric field at a distance x on the x-axis is dE(x)=\frac{Kdq}{(x^2+z^2)}. Integrate this from 0 to \frac{Q}{\lambda} and that I think is your answer. Here, \lambda is charge per unit length.
 
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