Potential Difference Near a Charged Rod

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lightupshoes8
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Homework Statement



A long rod of length L = 7.8 m carries a uniform charge Q = -6.5e-08 coulombs.
Calculate the potential difference VC - VA. The distance c is 4 cm, the distance b is 11 cm, and the distance a is 4 cm. Only part of the rod is shown in the diagram (it is longer than shown).
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Homework Equations



Erod = (9e9)*[tex]\frac{2Q/L}{r}[/tex]
[tex]\Delta[/tex]V = - [tex]\int[/tex] E dl

The Attempt at a Solution



I figured that since A is the same distance horizontally as B from the rod, there would be no change in potential since its not acting in that direction. So I was just going to find Vc-Vb

I set up my integral as follows:

V = - (9e9)*[tex]\frac{2Q}{L}[/tex][tex]\int[/tex] [tex]\frac{dr}{r}[/tex]
Integral going from upper to lower: B to C

I just don't think I'm headed in the right direction. It seems like the answer is not going to be what I want it to be.
 
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lightupshoes8 said:
I figured that since A is the same distance horizontally as B from the rod, there would be no change in potential since its not acting in that direction. So I was just going to find Vc-Vb
That's right.
I set up my integral as follows:

V = - (9e9)*[tex]\frac{2Q}{L}[/tex][tex]\int[/tex] [tex]\frac{dr}{r}[/tex]
Integral going from upper to lower: B to C
That looks ok too.