Use integration to find the total force on a point HELP

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the total force on a charge q due to a uniformly distributed charge Q along a rod, using integration. The problem is situated within the context of electrostatics and involves concepts of force, charge distribution, and vector components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the derivation of the force on charge q from a small segment of the rod, questioning the correctness of their integration steps and the treatment of vector components.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the integration process, with some participants attempting to clarify the x-component of the force and others providing guidance on the correct form of the integral. A participant has indicated they solved the integral, but further requests for manual demonstration suggest the discussion is still active.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is a focus on ensuring the correct application of integration techniques in the context of electrostatics.

lmlgrey
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http://capa.mcgill.ca/res/mcgill/dcmcgill/oldproblems/newerlib/Graphics/Gtype51/prob19a.gif[/URL]

1. A charge Q = 8.10 ×10-4 C is distributed uniformly along a rod of length 2L, extending from y = -11.4 cm to y = +11.4 cm, as shown in the diagram 'on your assignment above. A charge q = 1.80 ×10-6 C, and the same sign as Q, is placed at (D,0), where D = 17.5 cm.
Use integration to compute the total force on q in the x-direction




It is already proven that :
The magnitude of the force on charge q due to the small segment dy is
dF=(kqQ/2Lr2)dy.




3. Given what's already proven that for a small dy:
dF = (kqQ/2Lr2)dy

so i integrated both sides and i got:
∫dF = k*q*Q / 2L ∫ 1/r^2 dy

since r^2 = D^2+y^2

therefore the function becomes:
∫dF = k*q*Q / 2L ∫ 1/D^2+y^2 dy

now what should i do next? and the equation i derived, was it right at the first place?


THANKS!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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lmlgrey said:
http://capa.mcgill.ca/res/mcgill/dcmcgill/oldproblems/newerlib/Graphics/Gtype51/prob19a.gif[/URL]

1. A charge Q = 8.10 ×10-4 C is distributed uniformly along a rod of length 2L, extending from y = -11.4 cm to y = +11.4 cm, as shown in the diagram 'on your assignment above. A charge q = 1.80 ×10-6 C, and the same sign as Q, is placed at (D,0), where D = 17.5 cm.
Use integration to compute the total force on q in the x-direction




It is already proven that :
The magnitude of the force on charge q due to the small segment dy is
dF=(kqQ/2Lr2)dy.


That may be the magnitude of the force. But what is the magnitude of the x component of that force? (You can see by the symmetry, that the y components all sum to 0 so the integral of the x component gives you the total force).

AM
 
Last edited by a moderator:
oh, i see...
so now since only the x-component is considered then
cos theta = D/r
and the function becomes:
dF=(kqQ/2Lr^2)dy * D/ r ... is that correct?

then further integrating the above gives:

F= k*q*Q*D^2/2L* ∫1/(D^2+y^2)^-2/3 8 dy? -- did i do this step correct??
 
lmlgrey said:
oh, i see...
so now since only the x-component is considered then
cos theta = D/r
and the function becomes:
dF=(kqQ/2Lr^2)dy * D/ r ... is that correct?

then further integrating the above gives:

F= k*q*Q*D^2/2L* ∫1/(D^2+y^2)^-2/3 8 dy? -- did i do this step correct??

Not quite.

F = \frac{kqQD}{2L}\int_{-L}^{L}\frac{1}{r^3} dy = \frac{kqQD}{2L}\int_{-L}^{L}\frac{1}{(\sqrt{D^2 + y^2})^3} dy =\frac{kqQD}{2L}\int_{-L}^{L}(D^2 + y^2)^{-\frac{3}{2}}dy

Good luck working out that integral

AM
 
thanks, i solved it :)
 

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