Q2.52P

Question

Two infinitely long wires running parallel to the x axis carry uniform

charge densities +λ and -λ.

(a) Find the potential at any point (x,y,z) 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 V0.

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

Answer

  1. The potential at the point (x,y,z) is V(x,y,z)=λ4πε0In[(y+a)2+z2(y-a)2+z2].

  2. The radius of the cylinder corresponding to given V0 is R=a cos ech(2πε0V0λ).

1Step 1: Define functions and determine the potential at any point

Write the expression for potential.

V=kqr                                                                                  …… (1)

Here, V is the potential, is Coulombs constant, is the charge, and is the distance.

a)

Write the expression for the potential at a distance from an infinitely long straight wire that carries a uniform line charge density λ.

V=λ2πε0In(sa)                                                                 …… (2)

The two indefinitely long wires run parallel to the x-axis and carry uniform charge density +λ and -λ.

The two infinitely long wire is shown in the figure below.


Write the expression for potential due to the long wire having charge density +λ at point P.

V+=-λ2πε0In(s+a)                                              …… (3)

Here, s+ is the distance of point p from the long wire having charge density +λ.

Write the expression for potential due to the long wire having charge density -λ at point P.

V-=λ2πε0In(s-a)                                                …… (4)

Here, s- is the distance of point P from the long wire having charge density -λ.

Hence, the expression for the potential at point P is calculated as follows:,

V=V+V-   =-λ2πε0In(s+a)+λ2πε0In(S-a)   =λ2πε0In(s-s+)                               …… (5)

From the above figure, the expression for s+ and s- .is calculated as follows:

s+=(y-a)2+(z-0)2+(x-x)2     =(y-a)2+z2s-=(y-a)2+(z-0)2+(x-x)2     =(y+a)2+z2

Substitute the values of the s+and s- in equation (5).

V(x,y,z)=λ2πε0In[y+a2+z2y-a2+z2]V(x,y,z)=λ4πε0In[y+a2+z2y-a2+z2]

Therefore, the potential at the point (x,y,z) is V(x,y,z)=λ4πε0In[(y+a)2+z2(y-a)2+z2].

2Step 4: Determine the equipotential surfaces are circular cylinders , and locate the axis and radius of the cylinder corresponding to a given potential

b)


The value of potential is constant at all places the equipotential surface is constant.

Thus, the value of V is constant.


(y+a)2+z2(y+a)2+z2  is constant.

Let’s consider that, 

          (y+a)2+z2(y-a)2+z2y2+a2+2ay+z2=k((y-a)2+z2)y2+a2+2ay+z2=k[y2+a2-2ay+z2].

Solve further,

y2+a2+2ay+z2-k[y2+a2-2ay+z2]=0y2[k-1]+a2[k-1]+z2[k-1]-2ay[k+1]=0                                y2+a2+z2-2ay(k+1)(k-1)=0                                        y2-2ay(k+1)(k-1)+z2=-a2

Add [ak+1k-1]2 on both sides.

y2-2ya(k+1)(k-1)+[ak+1k-1]2+z2=[ak+1k-1]2-a2                          [y-ak+1k-1]2+z2=a2[k+1k-12-1]                          [y-ak+1k-1]2+z2=a2[k+12k-12-1]                          [y-ak+1k-1]2+z2=a2[k2+2k+1k-12-1]

Then further solve,

[y-a(k+1)(k-1)]2+z2=a2[4k(k-1)]

[y-a(k+1)(k-1)]2+z2=[2akk-1]2                     …… (6)


The above expression is written as follows:,

[y-y0]2+(z-z0)2=R2                                      …… (7)

Here, y0=a(k+1)(k-1), and z0-0.

Substitute the value of y0,z0 in equation (7).

Comparing equations (6) and (7), we get the value of R.

R=2akk-1

Thus, this represents a circular cylinder with an axis parallel to the x-axis centered at 

(y0,z0)=(a(k+1)k-1,0) and radius R=2akk-1.

Let’s assume that the , potential corresponding is V0.  Then,

V0=λ4πε0Ink.

Rewrite the above equation for Ink.

4πε0V0λ=Inle4πε0V0λ=k

Consider that, P=4πε0V0λ.  Then k=eP.

Now, 

y0=a(k+1)k-1    =a(eP+1)eP-   =a(eP/2+e-P/2eP/2-e-P/2)

Then, 

y0=a coth(P2)

Substitute the 4πε0V0λ for P in the above equation.

y0=a coth(4πε0V0λ2)    =a coth(4πε0V0λ)

Substitute eP for k in 2akk-1 for R equation R=a cos ech(P2).,

R=2aePeP-1  =2aeP/2eP-1  =2a1eP/2-e-P/2  =a2eP/2-e-P/2

Further solving,

R=a cos ech(2πε0V0λ)

Hence, the radius of the cylinder corresponding to the given V0 is R=a cos ech(2πε0V0λ).