We are going to work out the electrostatic potentials due
to various symmetrical charge distributions because they are
easy to calculate and we will get an understanding of how electrostatic
potential behaves. For non-symmetric charge distributions, one
may need to calculate them numerically using a computer if you
want accuracy or we can get a rough estimate by approximating
them with symmetric distributions.
Planes, Spheres, Cylinders
Find E-field using Gauss's Law
Calculate electrostatic potential by integration
-> Do Problem 20-15, P.686.
Equi-potential and Conductors
The electrostatic potential is the same everywhere on the
conductor because the E-field is zero.