# Potential Difference Problem

1. Dec 18, 2013

### NoPhysicsGenius

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A conical surface (an empty ice-cream cone) carries a uniform surface charge σ. The height of the cone is a, as is the radius of the top. Find the potential difference between the points P (the vertex) and Q (the center of the top).

2. Relevant equations

$V(P) = \frac{1}{4\piε_{0}}∫\frac{σ}{\sqrt{z^{2}+2r^{2}-2zr}}da$
$da = r^{2}sinθdθdrd\varphi$

3. The attempt at a solution

I am having difficulties in determining da for spherical coordinates.

Because the conical surface is a right circular cone, $θ = \frac{\pi}{4}$. Therefore, $sinθ = sin \frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$. Also, $dθ = 1$.

Apparently then, $da = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}r^{2}drd\varphi$.

However, according to my instructor, this is incorrect and the correct answer should be $da = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}rdrd\varphi$.

What have I done wrong? Thank you.

2. Dec 18, 2013

### NoPhysicsGenius

Note that in the relevant equation for V(P), the square root term represents the separation vector from the source point (the conical surface of uniform charge σ) and the point where the potential is to be measured. The letter z is to be taken as a constant; V(Q) = V(z = a) and V(P) = V(z = 0). We are then tasked with first finding V(z) and then finding V(Q) - V(P).

3. Dec 19, 2013

### vela

Staff Emeritus
Consider the units. That isn't an area element; it's a volume element.

4. Dec 19, 2013

### NoPhysicsGenius

Surface element da

Thanks! I get it now ...

The surface element (da) is $da = dl_{r}dl_{\varphi} = (dr)(r sinθ d\varphi) = r sin \frac{\pi}{4} dr d\varphi = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} r dr d\varphi$.