Electric Field due to a charged line; With y as function of theta

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field due to a charged line by expressing "y" as a function of "theta." The main challenge is integrating while substituting dy in terms of theta, which requires using the relationship y = x * tan(theta). Participants emphasize the need to derive dy/dtheta and substitute it back into the integral for Ex. The conversation highlights the importance of presenting both methods: integrating in terms of dy and in terms of y as a function of theta. The thread concludes with guidance on using LaTeX for clarity in mathematical expressions.
Molderish
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Well the main problem here its once a i get the integral i do not how to put dy as function of thetha and then integrate ; at the end that's what i get

Ex=integral (dE*cos\theta)=(\lambda/4\pi\epsilon)
times the integral of cos(\theta)dy/x^2+y^2

where i can easily find the cosine and do the integral but I'm asked to express strictly "y" as function of thetha so as cos(θ)=x/√x^2+y^2 so 1/√x^2+y^2=cos^2(θ)/x^2

and i know that y=x*tan(θ) but i don't how to get "dy" graphically nor analytically;
 

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Why not do the integral in terms of dy?
 
Well the professor asked us for bring both methods in terms of y as function of theta & theta as function of y;

I already did in terms of dy. making the substitution of cosine(θ) = x/√x^2+y^2 and then integrating.

but now i need the other method. y in terms of "θ"
 
OK - so complete: $$y=x\tan\theta\\ \implies \frac{dy}{d\theta}=\cdots$$ ... then multiply both sides by ##d\theta##.

Then substitute these values for y and dy into:
$$E_x=\frac{\lambda}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\int \frac{\cos\theta\; dy}{x^2+y^2}$$ ... with appropriate limits.

note: I wrote all that out so you'd get an example of LaTeX, since I noticed you struggling with typing out the math there.
To figure out how I did it - just hit the "quote" button attached to this post.
The equations all appear between dollar or hash marks.
 
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