Question

How do we derive the expression for the potential due to a point charge at a distance r away from it (taking potential at infinity to be zero) ?

Answer 1

integrate the work done in bringing a unit charge from infinity to that point at distance r using coulomb's law

Answer 2

thanks quakine,
but this is where i'm struck
I take Q due to which i need to calculate potential at point A
I bring a test charge from infinity to the point A without any acceleration !
we have \[w = \int\limits_{\infty}^{A}F.dl\]
Here F is the external force that an external system applies to bring the test charge to A
let the test charge be a unit positive test charge.
the force F is equal and opposite to that of the force due to Q therefore I substitute F= -E { E is the electric field due to Q }
therefore we've
\[w = -\int\limits_{\infty}^{A}E.dl\]
now I substitute for E due to Q , i.e\[E=Q/4\Pi \in0 r ^{2} \]
direction of E is opposite to the displacement dl !
here's i'm struck !

Answer 3

Just solve the integral and substitute the extreme values, taking into account that the value in infinite is zero. Some clue: the integral function of (1/r^2)dr is -1/r

Answer 4

there are two forces in action here,the electrostatic repulsion and your force which overcomes this repulsion and bring these two charges closer.due to the no acc condition both forces are equal and opposite.

F is the force you apply against F1 which is the electrostratic repulsion.
hence F= -F1
as these two forces are opposite in direction but equal.
Also, it is hard to know how much force you applied but it is easier to measure the repulsion.so F in the integral F.dl is Your force but we replace it by a minus F1.

so the direction of dl and YOUR force are always same (towards Q) and work is positive.

the minus before the integral of E.dl already takes care of sign (cos180 is -1).
so you can forget about the minus sign and evaluate the integral as drawn.