Line Integral + Potential Difference Problem Need

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating potential differences in a cyclotron model using a defined electric field. The electric field is given in polar coordinates, and the task requires evaluating line integrals between specified points in the xy-plane.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to integrate the electric field along specified paths to find potential differences, noting that some parts yield zero due to equipotential lines.
  • Participants discuss parametrizing curves for integration and express uncertainty about incorporating these into the line integral.
  • One participant suggests expressing the differential path element in terms of angular displacement along a circular arc.
  • Questions arise regarding the limits of integration and the simplification of the integral after applying the dot product.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various approaches to the line integral. Some guidance has been provided on expressing the path and simplifying the integral, but no consensus has been reached on the final approach or calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information available for the problem. The nature of the electric field is also noted to be non-physical, which may affect the interpretation of results.

desibabu90
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Homework Statement


The cyclotron is a device for accelerating charged particles. It requires changing electric fields and a magnetic field, but it can be modeled using (non-physical) static electric fields and potentials as we will do in this problem. Keep in mind that these fields cannot actually be created by any set of static charges, so just treat the field as given. To aid in visualization of the problem, consider that this problem could also have been titled, "The Spiral Staircase."

Consider an electric field defined by
E = 0.4*(-sin([tex]\theta[/tex]) [tex]\hat{i}[/tex]+ cos([tex]\theta[/tex]) [tex]\hat{j}[/tex])/r
(E in N/C, i is the unit vector along the x-axis, j is the unit vector along the y-axis; the coefficient 0.40 varies from person to person)

Note that we can write any position in the xy-plane in a similar way:
r = r(cos([tex]\theta[/tex]) i + sin([tex]\theta[/tex]) j ).
The Dot product of E and r would equal 0.

We want to find the potential difference between the two points: (2.7,1.3) and (4.0, 4.9).

a. First integrate radially outward along a line of constant theta. What's the electric potential difference between the points (2.7,1.3) and (5.70,2.74)?

b. Now integrate along a circle of constant radius. What's the potential difference between the points (5.70,2.74) and (4.0,4.9)?

c. What's the total potential difference along the above path between the points (2.7,1.3) and (4.0,4.9)?

Now reverse the order of integration.

d. First integrate along a circle of constant radius. What's the potential difference between the points (2.7,1.3) and (1.90,2.32)?

e. Now integrate along a line of constant theta. What's the potential difference between the points (1.90,2.32) and (4.0,4.9)?

f. What's the total potential difference along this path between the points (2.7,1.3) and (4.0,4.9)?

Now consider two points at the same radius, but on opposite sides of the circle: (2.7,1.3) and (-2.7,-1.3)

g. What's the potential difference between (2.7,1.3) and (-2.7,-1.3) integrating along a circle of constant radius, going in the positive theta direction.

h. What's the potential difference integrating along a circle in the negative theta direction?

Homework Equations


I know you have to do a line integral

[tex]\Delta[/tex]V = -[tex]\int[/tex][tex]\vec{E}[/tex][tex]\vec{ds}[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



I got part a and e they both are zero because they are going to be on equipotential lines and therefore there won't a potential difference

however i can't seem to do a line integral.

for part b, i have to parametrize the curve with the points given,
r(t) = (1 -t)<2.7,1.3> + t*(1.9,2.32)
r(t) = <2.7 - .8*t, 1.3 - 1.02*t)
r'(t) = (-.8,-1.02)
but now I don't know how to add it into the integral.

Please help.

thanks in advanced
 
Last edited:
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desibabu90 said:

Homework Statement


The cyclotron is a device for accelerating charged particles. It requires changing electric fields and a magnetic field, but it can be modeled using (non-physical) static electric fields and potentials as we will do in this problem. Keep in mind that these fields cannot actually be created by any set of static charges, so just treat the field as given. To aid in visualization of the problem, consider that this problem could also have been titled, "The Spiral Staircase."

Consider an electric field defined by
E = 0.4*(-sin([tex]\theta[/tex]) [tex]\hat{i}[/tex]+ cos([tex]\theta[/tex]) [tex]\hat{j}[/tex])/r
(E in N/C, i is the unit vector along the x-axis, j is the unit vector along the y-axis; the coefficient 0.40 varies from person to person)

Note that we can write any position in the xy-plane in a similar way:
r = r(cos([tex]\theta[/tex]) i + sin([tex]\theta[/tex]) j ).
The Dot product of E and r would equal 0.

We want to find the potential difference between the two points: (2.7,1.3) and (4.0, 4.9).

a. First integrate radially outward along a line of constant theta. What's the electric potential difference between the points (2.7,1.3) and (5.70,2.74)?

b. Now integrate along a circle of constant radius. What's the potential difference between the points (5.70,2.74) and (4.0,4.9)?

c. What's the total potential difference along the above path between the points (2.7,1.3) and (4.0,4.9)?

Now reverse the order of integration.

d. First integrate along a circle of constant radius. What's the potential difference between the points (2.7,1.3) and (1.90,2.32)?

e. Now integrate along a line of constant theta. What's the potential difference between the points (1.90,2.32) and (4.0,4.9)?

f. What's the total potential difference along this path between the points (2.7,1.3) and (4.0,4.9)?

Now consider two points at the same radius, but on opposite sides of the circle: (2.7,1.3) and (-2.7,-1.3)

g. What's the potential difference between (2.7,1.3) and (-2.7,-1.3) integrating along a circle of constant radius, going in the positive theta direction.

h. What's the potential difference integrating along a circle in the negative theta direction?

Homework Equations


I know you have to do a line integral

[tex]\Delta[/tex]V = -[tex]\int[/tex][tex]\vec{E}[/tex][tex]\vec{ds}[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



I got part a and e they both are zero because they are going to be on equipotential lines and therefore there won't a potential difference

however i can't seem to do a line integral.

for part b, i have to parametrize the curve with the points given,
r(t) = (1 -t)<2.7,1.3> + t*(1.9,2.32)
r(t) = <2.7 - .8*t, 1.3 - 1.02*t)
r'(t) = (-.8,-1.02)
but now I don't know how to add it into the integral.

Please help.

thanks in advanced

Here's how I would do your line integral [tex]\Delta V = -\int \vec{E} \cdot d \vec{S}[/tex]

First, remember that your path is along a circular arc from (5.70, 2.74) to (4.0, 4.9). Express
[tex]d \vec{S}[/tex] in terms of distance along that arc as

[tex]d \vec{S} = \hat{\theta} r d \theta[/tex]

The unit vector [tex]\hat{\theta}[/tex] is given by

[tex]\hat{\theta} = \frac{-sin(\theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{i} + \frac{cos( \theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{j}[/tex]

You will then need the angle (in radians) between the x-axis and the line from the origin to the point (5.70, 2.74) and the angle (in radians) between the x-axis and the line from the origin to the point (4.0, 4.9). Those two angles will be the limits of your integration. Your integral now becomes

[tex]\Delta V = - \int_1 ^2 \frac{.4}{r}( -sin(\theta) \hat{i} + cos(\theta) \hat{j} ) \cdot (\frac{ -sin(\theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{i} + \frac{cos(\theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{j}) r d \theta[/tex]

Notice the good things that happen: The r's cancel and the trig functions will disappear when you take the dot product. That will make the integral rather easy.
 
AEM said:
Here's how I would do your line integral [tex]\Delta V = -\int \vec{E} \cdot d \vec{S}[/tex]

First, remember that your path is along a circular arc from (5.70, 2.74) to (4.0, 4.9). Express
[tex]d \vec{S}[/tex] in terms of distance along that arc as

[tex]d \vec{S} = \hat{\theta} r d \theta[/tex]

The unit vector [tex]\hat{\theta}[/tex] is given by

[tex]\hat{\theta} = \frac{-sin(\theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{i} + \frac{cos( \theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{j}[/tex]

You will then need the angle (in radians) between the x-axis and the line from the origin to the point (5.70, 2.74) and the angle (in radians) between the x-axis and the line from the origin to the point (4.0, 4.9). Those two angles will be the limits of your integration. Your integral now becomes

[tex]\Delta V = - \int_1 ^2 \frac{.4}{r}( -sin(\theta) \hat{i} + cos(\theta) \hat{j} ) \cdot (\frac{ -sin(\theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{i} + \frac{cos(\theta)}{\sqrt{2}} \hat{j}) r d \theta[/tex]

Notice the good things that happen: The r's cancel and the trig functions will disappear when you take the dot product. That will make the integral rather easy.


ok.. so got r's canceling out, and trigs just turn into [tex].4*(1/{\sqrt{2}})[/tex] once you dot them. so will the integral be just [tex]- \int .4*(1/{\sqrt{2}}) d\theta[/tex] & for the bounds for part b would it be from 1 to 2 or arctan(2.74/5.7) to arctan(4.9/4)

thanx for ur help
 
while doing what i described above i got my answer as -.2828
tat was not the right answer. Did I do something wrong? Please help!
 
desibabu90 said:
while doing what i described above i got my answer as -.2828
tat was not the right answer. Did I do something wrong? Please help!

Well, without seeing the details of your work, I can't do anything more than guess where you might have made a mistake. I just calculated out the answer to be -1.24 . One question: is your calculator in radians mode, or degrees mode? That's a common mistake.
 

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