Question regarding potential formulas

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating electric potential for continuous charge distributions in two dimensions, contrasting it with the three-dimensional case. The original poster seeks a formula involving the natural logarithm, recalling that it relates to the gradient of the logarithm of the distance between points. A respondent clarifies that the correct approach for two dimensions involves integrating the surface charge density over the area, leading to a potential expression that does not explicitly include logarithmic terms. The potential in two dimensions can be derived similarly to three dimensions, but the logarithmic aspect may arise from specific integration scenarios. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the dimensional differences in electric potential calculations.
Carl140
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I know that the electric potential for a continuous distributions of charge can be calculated
using the following formula:

Integral [ p(y) grad( 1/(|x-y)) d A_y ]

Where grad represents the gradient of the vector function |x-y| and A_y is a area length element and p(y) represents the charge density.
I know this result is valid for 3 dimensions.

I need the result for 2 dimensions, I remember the answer involves an expression like
grad( log(|x-y|)) where log represents the natural logarithm but I can't find it anyhwere.

Anyone knows where I can find it or how to derive it? I'm pretty sure it involves a logarithm.
I've searched in Jackson and Griffiths but couldn't find it.

Thanks in advance
 
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Carl140 said:
Integral [ p(y) grad( 1/(|x-y)) d A_y ]
Where grad represents the gradient of the vector function |x-y| and A_y is a area length element and p(y) represents the charge density.
I know this result is valid for 3 dimensions.
This can't be right for 3 dimensions as you claim. It looks like the result for 2 dimensions, see how it's put together below.

The derivation for a two-dimensional surface is the same as a three dimensional surface: Consider the charge distribution as consisting of elements of charge ##dq## and use superposition to find the potential at ##\vec r##. Using ##\vec r'## to denote the coordinate of ##dq##, one writes,$$dV=\frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\frac{dq}{|\vec r-\vec r'|}=\frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\frac{\sigma(\vec r')dA'}{|\vec r-\vec r'|}$$where ##\sigma(\vec r')## is the surface charge density. The total potential is obtained by integrating primed coordinates over the surface of the two dimensional distribution,$$V(\vec r)=\frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\int \frac{\sigma(\vec r')dA'}{|\vec r-\vec r'|}.$$I am not sure where the logarithmic expressions would come in. What you remember is probably the result of integration over a specific surface.
 
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