Electric potential of concentr

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the electric potential of a cylindrical conductor within a cylindrical conducting shell, given specific charge densities and radii. The user has derived equations for electric potential but is uncertain about the next steps to find the potential at a specified radius. It is clarified that Gauss' theorem indicates the electric field depends only on the total charge density within the radius, meaning details inside the shell are irrelevant for points outside. The suggestion is made to sum the potentials from both the conductor and the shell and take the difference between the two radii to find the answer. Overall, the focus is on applying the derived equations correctly to solve for electric potential.
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Electric potential of cylindrical conductor placed in a cylindrical conducting shell

Homework Statement




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gcylcon.gif


A cylindrical conducting shell is placed concentric with a cylindrical conductor. Assume that a total charge density λ0 = 2.60 µC/ m is placed on the inner cylinder and a total charge density λ = -2.90 µC/ m is placed on the outer one, r0 = 8.40 cm, r1 = 16.80 cm and r2 = 21.00 cm. Calculate, relative to r = 10·r0 = 84.0 cm:

[1pt] the electric potential at r = 30.80 cm.


Answer: -5.41E+03 V
(I need help figuring out HOW to get this answer, not the answer itself)




Homework Equations




V= the negative inegral of E
λ=Q/2(pi)r


The Attempt at a Solution



So far all I've done is that I've integrated E=2kλ/r and got v=(-2kλ)ln(r)+C for the conducting shell and Vo=(-2kλo)ln(ro)+C for the conductor.

I'm not really sure what to do with the question, though.

I'm thinking I could use those equations to find the potential of both the cylindrical conductor and the cylindrical conducting shell. Then what?

And for the shell, would I have to use the two radiuses to find it on the outside of the shell and the inside too? I have no idea, I need assistance haha.

Help would be appreciated.
 
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Gauss' theorem will tell you that the E field depends only on the total charge density contained within the radius. In this case both of your points are outside of the outer shell, so none of the details of the inside matter. You can also do it by just summing the two potentials you have integrated and taking the difference between the two radii.
 
okay, I'll give it a shot, thanks!
 
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