Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 28 - The Electric Potential - Exercises and Problems - Page 837: 67

Answer

See the detailed answer below.

Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We know that the potential at any point is the superposition of the potentials due to all charges. So the potential at point $\rm p$ due to the $dq$ is given by $$dV_{\rm p}=\dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0} \dfrac{dq}{r-x }\tag 1$$ Let's assume that the linear charge density of this rod is $\lambda$ which is given by $$\lambda=\dfrac{Q}{L}=\dfrac{dq}{dx}$$ where $dq$ is the charge of the small black segment in the figure below and $dx$ is its length. Thus, $$dq=\dfrac{Qdx}{L}\tag 2$$ So the net electric potential is given by $$V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0} \int_{-L/2}^{L/2} \dfrac{1}{ r-x }dq$$ Plug $dx$ from (1), $$V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0} \int_{-L/2}^{L/2} \dfrac{1}{ r-x }\dfrac{Qdx}{L}$$ $$V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L} \int_{-L/2}^{L/2} \dfrac{1}{ r-x }dx$$ $$V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}[-\ln(r-x)] \bigg|_{-L/2}^{L/2} $$ $$V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{-Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\; \ln\left[\dfrac{\left(r-\dfrac{L}{2}\right)}{\left(r-\dfrac{-L}{2}\right)}\right] $$ $$V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{-Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\; \ln\left[\dfrac{\left(r-\dfrac{L}{2}\right)}{\left(r+\dfrac{ L}{2}\right)}\right] $$ $$V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{ Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\; \ln\left[\dfrac{\left(r+\dfrac{ L}{2}\right)}{\left(r-\dfrac{L}{2}\right)}\right] $$ Replacing $r$ by $x$, $$\boxed{V_{\rm p}=\dfrac{ Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\; \ln\left[\dfrac{\left(x+\dfrac{ L}{2}\right)}{\left(x-\dfrac{L}{2}\right)}\right] }$$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.