# Potential at all points due to uniformly charged infinite cylinder

1. Sep 15, 2014

### oddjobmj

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Infinitely long cylinder of radius R with uniform charge ρ. Calculate the electric potential at all points in space.

2. Relevant equations

V(a)-V(b)=-∫ba$\vec{E}$($\vec{r}$')°dr'$\hat{r}$

3. The attempt at a solution

Generally potential is calculated with a reference point at r=∞ but in the case of an infinite cylinder I believe the integral above would diverge because the potential at ∞ (V(∞)) would not necessarily equal zero. What I did then is simply provide an arbitrary r' vector as the reference point and went through the problem as one would normally do so with a non-infinite charged object. Is this okay? Do I have to do something extra because of the non-zero reference point?

Thank you!

2. Sep 16, 2014

### ehild

It is right, but better to show your work.

ehild

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