2003American Journal of PhysicsOpen access

Generalization of the electrostatic potential function for an infinite charge distribution

G. Massimo Palma, R. Oyarzún, U. Raff

Open full text 3 citations

Abstract

The asymptotic conditions needed to define the electrostatic potential due to an infinite charge distribution are studied in detail. It is shown that if the charge distribution decreases faster than the square of the distance when |r| goes to infinity, the convolution integral defining the potential exists, goes to zero as |r| goes to infinity, and therefore allows the calculation of the electric potential function at any point in space, even if the total charge is infinite. We illustrate the calculation of the electric potential with a simple example of a spherically symmetric infinite charge distribution.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

The asymptotic conditions needed to define the electrostatic potential due to an infinite charge distribution are studied in detail. It is shown that if the charge distribution decreases faster than the square of the distance when |r| goes to infinity, the convolution integral defining the potential exists, goes to zero as |r| goes to infinity, and therefore allows the calculation of the electric potential function at any point in space, even if the total charge is infinite. We illustrate the calculation of the electric potential with a simple example of a spherically symmetric infinite charge distribution.

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 3 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

The asymptotic conditions needed to define the electrostatic potential due to an infinite charge distribution are studied in detail. It is shown that if the charge distribution decreases faster than the square of the distance when |r| goes to infinity, the convolution integral defining the potential exists, goes to zero as |r| goes to infinity, and therefore allows the calculation of the electric potential function at any point in space, even if the total charge is infinite. We illustrate the calculation of the electric potential with a simple example of a spherically symmetric infinite charge distribution.

Key concepts: Physics, Charge (physics), Electric charge, Electric potential, Point particle, Infinity, Distribution (mathematics), Square (algebra)

Related papers

Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
Generalization of the electrostatic potential function for an infinite charge distribution — Research Paper | ScholarLens