Thursday, June 8, 2017

electrostatics - Calculation of electric potential in Geiger-Müller tube



We are given a cylindrical rod with linear charge density λ, and a coaxial cylinder with linear charge density λ, as shown in the picture.


enter image description here


We are to show that the potential difference between ra and rb is ΔV=2keλln(rarb).


We can easily calculate from Gauss' Law that the magnitude of the electric field at a distance r from the axis of symmetry is E=2keλr. From the definition of potential difference we have ΔV=rbraEds.

Now, the field points radially outward, and ds=drˆr, so Eds=Edr. Therefore we should get ΔV=rbraEds=rbra2keλrdr=2keλln(rbra).
Why do I get the sign wrong?




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