Voltage of an infinite cylinder with nontrivial reference point

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric potential V(r) due to an infinitely long cylinder with uniform charge density ρ and radius R, using V(r = 2R) = 0 as a reference point. The electric fields for regions inside and outside the cylinder are provided, with specific equations for E at r < R and E at r > R. The integration process to find the voltage involves determining the correct limits, which are suggested to be from r to 2R for both regions. There is some confusion regarding the integration limits and the equations used for the electric field in the outer region. Overall, the calculations for the potential appear to be on the right track, but clarification on the field equations is needed.
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Homework Statement


Find V(r), the electric potential due to an infinitely long cylinder with uniform charge density ρ and radius R.
Use V(r = 2R) = 0 as your reference point.

Homework Equations


E at r < R = ##\frac{(ρr)}{2ε_{0}}##
E at r > R = ##\frac{(ρR^{2})}{(2ε_{0}r)}##


The Attempt at a Solution


This is basically simple. Just integrate the electric fields to get voltage. The only problem is figuring out the limits of integration. I BELIEVE that if you have a nontrivial reference point outside of a cylinder, you will need to integrate from r to 2R for both inside and outside. So I did this:

$$V(r < R) = \int_r^R \frac{\rho r}{2ε_{0}}dr + \int_R^{2R} \frac{\rho r}{2\epsilon_{0}}dr = \frac{\rho}{4\epsilon_{0}}(4R^{2} - r^{2})$$

$$V(r > R) = \int_r^{2R} \frac{\rho R^{2}}{2\epsilon_{0}r}dr = \frac{\rho R^{2}}{2\epsilon_{0}}ln(\frac{2R}{r})$$

Does this look right?
 
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Assuming your field calculations are correct, these look right.
 
I'm not following the logic behind your equations.
For r > R, the field is ##E = \frac{\rho r}{2\pi\epsilon_0 R^2}##, yes?
So for r > R, isn't the potential ##\int_{s=r}^{2R}\frac{\rho s}{2\pi\epsilon_0 R^2}.ds##?
 
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