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 838: 82

Answer

See the detailed answer below.

Work Step by Step

We can divide the hollow cylinder shell into very thin rings, as we see in the figure below. The electric potential of one ring [the black ring] of thickness $dy$ and a net charge of $dy$ at the center of the cylinder is given by $$dV_{\rm ring}=\dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\dfrac{dq}{\sqrt{R^2+y^2}}\tag1$$ Assuming that the charge density of the hollow cylinder is $\eta$, so $$\eta=\dfrac{Q}{2\pi R L}=\dfrac{dq}{dA}$$ where $dA$ of a ring is given by $2\pi r dy$ $$\eta=\dfrac{Q}{2\pi R L}=\dfrac{dq}{2\pi R dy}$$ Thus, $$dq=\dfrac{Qdy}{L}$$ Plug into (1), $$dV_{\rm ring}=\dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0}\dfrac{Q}{L\sqrt{R^2+y^2}} dy$$ $$dV_{\rm ring}=\dfrac{Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\dfrac{dy}{ \sqrt{R^2+y^2}} $$ The net electric potential of the whole cylinder is then given by $$ V_{\rm cylinder}=\int dV_{\rm ring}=\int_{-L/2}^{L/2}\dfrac{Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\dfrac{dy}{ \sqrt{R^2+y^2}} $$ $$ V_{\rm cylinder} =\dfrac{2Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\int_{0}^{L/2}\dfrac{dy}{ \sqrt{R^2+y^2}} $$ $$ V_{\rm cylinder} =\dfrac{2Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\ln\left(y+\sqrt{R^2+y^2}\right)_{0}^{L/2} $$ $$ V_{\rm cylinder} =\dfrac{2Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\ln\left(\dfrac{\dfrac{L}{2}+\sqrt{R^2+\dfrac{L^2}{4}}}{R}\right) $$ $$\boxed{ V_{\rm cylinder} =\dfrac{2Q}{(4\pi \epsilon_0)L}\ln\left( \dfrac{L}{2R}+\sqrt{1+\dfrac{L^2}{4R^2}} \right) }$$
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.