Electric Field of Nonuniform Line of Charge

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field strength at the point x=-0.19 m due to a nonuniform line charge along a rod extending from x=0 to x=L with a charge density of λ = λ₀*(x/L)². The integral set up for the electric field, E, involves integrating the expression E = ∫(kλ₀(x/L)²dx)/(x+L)² from x=0 to x=L. Participants express uncertainty about the correct formulation of the integral and the variables involved, particularly regarding the distance r² in the denominator. A substitution hint suggests using u = x + L to simplify the integral, but there is confusion about how to apply this and solve the integral correctly. The conversation highlights the challenges in integrating nonuniform charge distributions and emphasizes the need for clarity in variable definitions.
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Homework Statement


A thin rod extends along the x-axis from x=0 to x=L and carries a line charge density \lambda = \lambda_{0}*(x/L)^{2}, where \lambda_{0} is a constant.

If L=0.19 m and \lambda_{0} = 40\muC/m, find the electric field strength at the point x=-0.19 m. (Hint: the resulting integral is easily computed with the change of variable u=x+L.


Homework Equations


E=\int(kdq/r^2)
dq=\lambda_{0}*(x/L)^{2}dl


The Attempt at a Solution


Since the line is positively charged, the electric field should point in the negative x direction at the point x=-0.19m and I need to use the integral equation for E. The integral I set up is E=\int(k\lambda_{0}(x/L)^2dx)/(x+L)^2 from x=0 to x=L. I'm not sure this integral is correct because I don't know how to solve it and the hint says that substituting u=x+L should make it easy to solve. The main things I'm unsure of in this equation is what variables to use. For instance, in the linear charge density, it seems like the x is the distance along the line and the L is the total length of the rod. So I would need to integrate with respect to x to get the full charge of the rod. But then I'm not sure what the "r^2" distance is in terms of the variables. It has to be x along the line plus however far away the point is away from the line, right? So what should the denominator be in the integral and how do I solve the integral?
 
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I tried plugging the numbers I knew into the integral and got
E=\int(\frac{k\lambda_{0}x^{2}dx}{0.0361(x+0.19)^{2}} and taking the constants out of the equation I got E=\frac{k\lambda_{0}}{0.0361}\int\frac{x^{2}dx}{(x+0.19)^{2}} with the limits of the integral being x=0 to x=L (or 0.19)
Does this integral seem right? Because I still don't know how to solve it.
 
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