Voltage on a point charge from a stick of charge

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric potential energy of a point charge \( q \) located a distance \( a \) from a uniformly charged rod with a charge density of \( \beta x \). The correct approach involves integrating the voltage contribution from the charge distribution along the rod, specifically using the integral \( \int \frac{\beta x}{4\pi\epsilon (a+L-x)} dx \) over the length of the rod from 0 to \( L \). The point charge \( q \) does not influence the voltage calculation, as the voltage is solely determined by the rod's charge distribution.

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Homework Statement


In the figure the rod has a charge density of ßx, where x=0 is the left end of the rod, etc. Find the electric potential energy of the point charge q a distance a from the end of the rod and lying along the rod's axis.
http://www.usi.edu/science/physics/pickett/206/4p4f1.jpg

Homework Equations


V=[itex]\frac{q}{4\pi\epsilon r}[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution


Since it is voltage from the whole rod it should be an integral, but where I'm not sure at is what should be on top of the fraction

The integral is from 0 to L
[itex]\int\frac{q}{4\pi\epsilon (a+L-x)}dx[/itex]
or
[itex]\int\frac{\beta x}{4\pi\epsilon (a+L-x)}dx[/itex]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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To calculate the voltage where the point charge is, the point charge itself is irrelevant. You want the voltage generated by the charge distribution on the rod, so it's the second integral.
 

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