A nonconducting line segment of length L carries a positive charge with linear charge density ? (that is, there are ? coulombs/meter of charge on the segment). The segment lies on the y axis, with its midpoint at the origin. A point P lies on the x axis, at a distance x from the midpoint of the line segment.
(a) Derive a general equation for the electric potential at the point P. (Hint: Express the differential dV of potential as kdq /r, develop a suitable expression for dq, and integrate it over the line segment.)
(b) A line segment has total charge 3.5 ?C and length 8.0 m. What is the potential 2.5 m from the line segment, on its perpendicular bisector?