Potential due to a finite charged wire

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric potential due to a finite charged wire, specifically considering contributions from different segments of the wire and their symmetry. The subject area includes electrostatics and potential theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the total potential at a point O by integrating contributions from various segments of the wire. Some participants question the symmetry of the contributions from the left and right sections of the wire, while others seek clarification on specific terms used in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants engaging in clarifying assumptions and correcting earlier statements. There is acknowledgment of symmetry in the problem, and corrections have been made based on feedback from other users.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential discrepancies in the calculations and ensuring that the assumptions about symmetry are valid. There is a focus on understanding the setup and the implications of the reference frame chosen for the problem.

lorenz0
Messages
151
Reaction score
28
Homework Statement
A wire of finite length has linear positive charge density ##\lambda##
What is the potential at point O?
Relevant Equations
##V(r)=\frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 r}##
Considering a reference frame with ##x=0## at the leftmost point I have for the leftmost piece of wire: ##\int_{x=0}^{x=2R}\frac{\lambda dx}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 (3R-x)}=\frac{\lambda ln(3)}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}##.
The potential at O due to the semicircular piece of wire at the center is ##\int_{\theta=0}^{\theta=\pi}\frac{\lambda Rd\theta}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 R}=\frac{\lambda}{4\varepsilon_0}##.
The potential at O due to the rightmost piece of wire is, by symmetry, the same as that due to the leftmost piece of wire ##(\int_{x=R}^{x=3R}\frac{\lambda dx}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 x}=\frac{\lambda ln(3)}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}).##

So, the total potential at O is ##V(O)=2\frac{\lambda ln(3)}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}+\frac{\lambda}{4\varepsilon_0}=\frac{\lambda(\pi+ln(9))}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}##.

Does this make sense? Thanks
 

Attachments

  • potential_wire.png
    potential_wire.png
    2.4 KB · Views: 166
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Wouldn't the left and right straight sections yield the same potential at O :wideeyed: ? (you know, symmetry and all that...)

##\ ##
 
lorenz0 said:
##(4R+x)##? How do you get that?
 
BvU said:
Wouldn't the left and right straight sections yield the same potential at O :wideeyed: ? (you know, symmetry and all that...)

##\ ##
Yes; I have edited my answer, thanks.
 
That was a mistake, which I have corrected thanks to user BvU.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
785
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K