Potential due to a finite charged wire

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric potential at point O due to a finite charged wire configuration. The potential contributions from the leftmost and rightmost sections of the wire are derived using integrals, resulting in a total potential of V(O) = (λ(π + ln(9))) / (4πε₀). The calculations confirm that the symmetry of the wire leads to equal potential contributions from both straight sections. User BvU provided corrections to the initial calculations, ensuring accuracy in the final expression.

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lorenz0
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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
 

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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.
 

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