Electric Potential in a region of space

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field strength from a given electric potential in a specific region of space, with the coordinates provided. The subject area is electromagnetism, focusing on electric potential and field strength.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to find partial derivatives of the electric potential with respect to x and y. There is uncertainty about applying the chain rule for differentiation and how to correctly set up the functions for differentiation.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring different approaches to differentiation and expressing frustration over incorrect results. Suggestions for showing calculations have been made to identify potential mistakes, indicating an ongoing effort to clarify the reasoning process.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific values yielding incorrect results, and participants are questioning their understanding of the differentiation process, particularly the application of the chain rule. The original poster expresses confusion about the setup of functions for differentiation.

quietriot1006
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Homework Statement


The electric potential in a region of space is
render?texml=V+%3D+%5Cfrac%7B350%7D%7B%5Csqrt+%7Bx%5E2+%2B+y%5E2+%7D%7D.gif

, where x and y are in meters. What is the strength of the electric field at (x,y)=(2.1m,2.7m)?
The electric force is in V/m.

Homework Equations


E = -grad(V)
E = -dV/ds

The Attempt at a Solution



I know that i have to find the partial derivatives of the x and the y but I am not sure on how to get the answer from the equation given. I was thinking of making the square root into the exponential of 1/2 and then raising that to -1 to get ride of the fraction and then taking the derivatives of that but i keep getting the wrong answer. Anybody have suggestions of help they can give me please. Thanks.
 
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Welcome to PF!

quietriot1006 said:
render?texml=V+%3D+%5Cfrac%7B350%7D%7B%5Csqrt+%7Bx%5E2+%2B+y%5E2+%7D%7D.gif

…I know that i have to find the partial derivatives of the x and the y but I am not sure on how to get the answer from the equation given. I was thinking of making the square root into the exponential of 1/2 and then raising that to -1 to get ride of the fraction and then taking the derivatives of that but i keep getting the wrong answer. Anybody have suggestions of help they can give me please. Thanks.

Hi quietriot1006! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(btw, please use the LaTeX provided, rather than importing images of equations)

Just use the Chain Rule for differentiation …

you know how to differentiate 1/√x, don't you? :wink:
 
Thanks for the welcome. I am still not getting the answer. Maybe I am doing the chain rule incorrectly. What would i use for u or g(x) and h(x)?
 
quietriot1006 said:
Thanks for the welcome. I am still not getting the answer. Maybe I am doing the chain rule incorrectly. What would i use for u or g(x) and h(x)?

(x2 + y2) :smile:
 
I keep getting the same asnwer, -127 V/M and its not the right answer. What else can i do?
 
quietriot1006 said:
I keep getting the same asnwer, -127 V/M and its not the right answer. What else can i do?

Show us your calculations, and then we can see where the mistake is. :smile:
 

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