Q2.52P
Question
Two infinitely long wires running parallel to the x axis carry uniform
charge densities and .
(a) Find the potential at any point using the origin as your reference.
(b) Show that the equipotential surfaces are circular cylinders, and locate the axis
and radius of the cylinder corresponding to a given potential .
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedAnswer
The potential at the point is .
The radius of the cylinder corresponding to given is .
Write the expression for potential.
…… (1)
Here, V is the potential, k is Coulombs constant, q is the charge, and r is the distance.
a)
Write the expression for the potential at a distance s from an infinitely long straight wire that carries a uniform line charge density .
…… (2)
The two indefinitely long wires run parallel to the x-axis and carry uniform charge density and .
The two infinitely long wire is shown in the figure below.
Write the expression for potential due to the long wire having charge density at point P.
…… (3)
Here, is the distance of point p from the long wire having charge density .
Write the expression for potential due to the long wire having charge density at point P.
…… (4)
Here, is the distance of point P from the long wire having charge density .
Hence, the expression for the potential at point P is calculated as follows:,
…… (5)
From the above figure, the expression for and .is calculated as follows:
Substitute the values of the and in equation (5).
Therefore, the potential at the point is .
b)
The value of potential is constant at all places the equipotential surface is constant.
Thus, the value of V is constant.
is constant.
Let’s consider that,
.
Solve further,
Add on both sides.
Then further solve,
…… (6)
The above expression is written as follows:,
…… (7)
Here, , and .
Substitute the value of in equation (7).
Comparing equations (6) and (7), we get the value of R.
Thus, this represents a circular cylinder with an axis parallel to the x-axis centered at
and radius .
Let’s assume that the , potential corresponding is . Then,
.
Rewrite the above equation for .
Consider that, . Then .
Now,
Then,
Substitute the for P in the above equation.
Substitute for k in for R equation .,
Further solving,
Hence, the radius of the cylinder corresponding to the given is .