Several Questions on Electric Potential

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on two questions regarding electric potential. The first question involves calculating the electric potential V along the y-axis for a uniformly charged thin rod of length 2L, emphasizing the need for integration with limits from -L to L due to the rod's finite length. The second question pertains to determining the surface charge density sigma for a conducting sphere of diameter d charged to a voltage V, with a reference point at infinity. Participants clarify the relationship between electric field and potential, noting that the potential can be derived from the electric field equations. Overall, the conversation highlights the mathematical complexities involved in these electrostatic scenarios.
Divergent13
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Hey everyone, I just wanted to ask these two questions on electric potential that are having me a bit stuck:

A thin rod of length 2L is centered on the x-axis on a coordinate plane... The rod carries a unif. distr. charge Q. Determine the potential V as a funct of y for the points along the Y axis.

My problem with this--- its not an infinite rod! I understand that since this rod is of specified length, we will have to some tricky math here and end up doing an integral with our limits for the rod (IE -L and L)... but would all this be is essentially the equation one can derive for the same situation for ELECTRIC FIELD, and just multiply by r? (Where r is the dist on the y axis)



Another Question is suppose a conducting sphere of diameter d is charged to a certain voltage V relative to V = 0 at r = infinity.

How can we find an equation sets up the surface charge density sigma?
(Just in general)


I appreciate any help thanks.
 
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Electric Field:

\def\vr{\mathord{\vec r}} \providecommand{\abs}[1]{\lvert #1 \rvert}<br /> \vec E (\vr) = \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_0}\int\frac{\rho(\vr\ &#039;)(\vr-\vr\ &#039;)}{\abs{\vr-\vr\ &#039;}^3}d l&#039;

Electric potential:
<br /> \def\vr{\mathord{\vec r}} \providecommand{\abs}[1]{\lvert #1 \rvert}<br /> &amp;\phi(\vr)=\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\int \frac{\rho(\vr\ &#039;)}{\abs{\vr-\vr\ &#039;}}d l &#039;

And for the 2nd prob

E_{outside shell} - E_{inside shell} = \frac {\sigma}{\epsilon_0} \vec n

Where n is the unit normal vector pointing out of the shell
 
Excellent that first one makes perfect sense now--- thank you.
 
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