Equilibrium charge density on a conducting needle

The concept of an equilibrium continuous charge density on a conducting line, although in some ways unphysical, does provide useful physical insight into needlelike conductors. It is shown that the charge density on such a line must be uniform. A simple method is developed for calculating the charge density on long, thin conductors with circular cross section, Also, the equilibrium distribution of N equal charges on a line is shown to approach equal spacing (except near the ends) as the number of charges grows. (C) 1997 American Association of Physics Teachers.