The potential at points around a cone

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric potential at the center of the top of a conical surface with a uniform surface charge density, σ, as described in Griffiths' textbook. The user initially derived the potential using cylindrical coordinates and arrived at the expression V = \(\frac{\sigma h}{4\epsilon}\ln(2\sqrt{2}+3)\), which differed from the correct answer of V = \(\frac{\sigma h}{2\epsilon}\ln(1+\sqrt{2})\). A key insight revealed that \(2\ln(1 + \sqrt{2})\) simplifies to \(\ln(3 + 2\sqrt{2})\), clarifying the discrepancy in the potential calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and electric potential
  • Familiarity with Griffiths' "Introduction to Electrodynamics"
  • Knowledge of cylindrical coordinates and surface integrals
  • Proficiency in calculus, particularly in evaluating double integrals
NEXT STEPS
  • Review Griffiths' treatment of electric potential and surface charge distributions
  • Study the application of cylindrical coordinates in electrostatics
  • Learn about the cosine law in the context of three-dimensional geometry
  • Explore logarithmic identities and their applications in simplifying expressions
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on electrostatics, as well as anyone involved in solving problems related to electric potential and charge distributions.

Identity
Messages
151
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



"A conical surface (an empty ice-cream cone) carries a uniform surface charge [tex]\sigma[/tex]. The height of the cone is h, as is the radius of the top. Find the potential at the centre of the top, taking infinity as reference point." - Griffiths

My result for the potential differs from the answer's. Can someone please check my solution

Homework Equations



[tex]V = \iint_S \frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\frac{\sigma}{x} dS[/tex], where [tex]x[/tex] is the distance from the source to the point.

The Attempt at a Solution



My diagram is in the attached picture.

First off, I used cylindrical coordinates with the equation z = r, z > 0 to graph the cone
I found [tex]dS = \sqrt{2}zdA[/tex]

The distance from any point on the cone to the origin is [tex]\sqrt{2} z[/tex], so using the cosine law,
[tex]x = \sqrt{2z^2-2hz+h^2}[/tex]

So we have

[tex]V = \int_0^h\int_0^{2\pi} \frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0} \frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{2z^2-2hz+h^2}} \sqrt{2}z d\theta dz=\frac{\sigma h}{4\epsilon}\ln(2\sqrt{2}+3)[/tex]


Answer: [tex]V = \frac{\sigma h}{2\epsilon}\ln(1+\sqrt{2})[/tex]


thanks!
 

Attachments

  • cone.jpg
    cone.jpg
    14.3 KB · Views: 449
Physics news on Phys.org
Identity said:
[tex]V = \int_0^h\int_0^{2\pi} \frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0} \frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{2z^2-2hz+h^2}} \sqrt{2}z d\theta dz=\frac{\sigma h}{4\epsilon}\ln(2\sqrt{2}+3)[/tex]


Answer: [tex]V = \frac{\sigma h}{2\epsilon}\ln(1+\sqrt{2})[/tex]

Hi Identity! :smile:

erm :redface: … 2ln(1 + √2) = ln(3 + 2√2) :wink:
 
:eek: oh my!
thankyou tiny-tim
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
900
Replies
2
Views
768
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
Replies
64
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K