Integration involving a physics problem.

[lsuspence]

Homework Statement

Hello all! I'm currently trying to work a problem for my Physics 2 class (for engineering and science majors). The example problem deals with "Field of a charged line segment." I conceptually understand the problem, but I am having trouble with the details involving the integration.

The problem: "Positive charge Q is distributed uniformly along the y-axis between y= -a and y= +a. Find the electric field at point P on the x-axis at a distance x from the origin."

I know that \stackrel{\rightarrow}{E}= \frac{kQ}{r^{2}}

λ=\frac{Q}{2a}

dQ=λdy=\frac{Q}{2a}dy

r=\sqrt{x^{2}+y^{2}}

therfore; dE=(k)(\frac{dQ}{r^{2}})= (k)(\frac{Q}{2a})(\frac{dy}{x^{2}+y^{2}})

E_{y}=_{-a}∫^{+a}dE_{y}=0

E_{x}=_{-a}∫^{+a}dE_{x}=_{-a}∫^{+a}(k)(\frac{Q}{2a})(\frac{dy}{x^{2}+y^{2}})(cosθ)

cosθ=\frac{x}{\sqrt{x^{2}+y^{2}}}

E_{x}=_{-a}∫^{+a}dE_{x}=_{-a}∫^{+a}(k)(\frac{Q}{2a})(\frac{dy}{x^{2}+y^{2}})(\frac{x}{\sqrt{x^{2}+y^{2}}})

simplifying and factoring out constants gives:

(\frac{kQ}{2a})_{-a}∫^{+a}\frac{xdy}{(x^{2}+y^{2})^{3/2}}

Here is where my problem comes in... I don't know how to integrate this. The book says "a table of integrals will help."

The solution is given to be:

E_{x}=\frac{kQ}{x\sqrt{x^{2}+y^{2}}}

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I do have the latest CRC book which has integral tables in it. I looked at the general forms containing: c²+x². The one it looked the closest to was: \frac{dx}{(c^{2}+x^{2})^{n}}. But I'm not sure... I believe the x's may be treated as constants since I'm integrating with respect to y, but I'm not exactly sure how to go about working it. I looked a U-substitution but I get bogged down and confused by the fact that I am integrating a function that includes two variables. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Again, I understand the concept, but I'm getting confused on the calculus part of it (the integration/last step). Thank you.

 

[LCKurtz]

It looks like a trig substitution might work. Try $y = x\tan\theta,\, dy=x\sec^2\theta\,d\theta,\, \sqrt{x^2+y^2}=x\sec\theta$ and see if that does anything for you.

 

[NascentOxygen]

Again, I understand the concept, but I'm getting confused on the calculus part of it (the integration/last step). Thank you.

I can't comment on your analysis of the underlying engineering, but for the mechanical procedure of integrating, you can check your answer on wolframalpha. If I understand it correctly: http://m.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integrate+x%2F%28%28x^2%2By^2%29^%283%2F2%29%29+wrt+y&x=0&y=0&js=off[/color]