1. Chapter 6 Electrostatic Boundary-Value Problems
Lecture by Qiliang Li

2. §6.1 Introduction The goal is to determine electric field E
We need to know the charge distribution
Use Coulomb’s law
𝑬= 𝑑𝑄 𝒂 𝑹 4𝜋 𝑅 2 or 𝑬= 𝑑𝑄 𝑹 4𝜋 𝑅 3
Use Gauss’s law
𝜓= 𝑆 𝑫∙𝑑𝑺= 𝑄 𝑒𝑛𝑐
Or We need to know the potential V
𝑬=−𝜵𝑉

3. §6.1 Introduction
However, we usually don’t know the charge distribution or potential profile inside the medium.
In most cases, we can observe or measure the electrostatic charge or potential at some boundaries
 We can determine the electric field E by using the electrostatic boundary conditions

4. §6.2 Poisson’s and Laplace’s Equations
Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations can be derived from Gauss’s law
𝛻∙𝐷=𝛻∙𝜖𝐸= 𝜌 𝑉 Or
𝛻 2 𝑉=− 𝜌 𝑉 𝜖
This is Poisson’s Eq.
If 𝜌 𝑉 =0, it becomes Laplace’s Eq.
𝛻 2 𝑉=0

5. Continue 6.2
The Laplace’s Eq. in different coordinates: 𝜕 2 𝑉 𝜕 𝑥 2 + 𝜕 2 𝑉 𝜕 𝑦 2 + 𝜕 2 𝑉 𝜕 𝑧 2 =0 1 𝜌 𝜕 𝜕𝜌 𝜌 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝜌 + 1 𝜌 2 𝜕 2 𝑉 𝜕 𝜙 2 + 𝜕 2 𝑉 𝜕 𝑧 2 =0 1 𝑟 2 𝜕 𝜕𝑟 𝑟 2 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑟 + 1 𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝜕 𝜕𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝜃 + 1 𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 𝜃 𝜕 2 𝑉 𝜕 𝜙 2 =0

6. §6.3 Uniqueness Theorem
Uniqueness Theorem: If a solution to Laplace’s equation can be found that satisfies the boundary conditions, then the solution is unique.

7. §6.4 General Procedures for Solving Poisson’s or Laplace’s Equations
Solve L’s Eq. or P’s Eq. using (a) direct integration when V is a function of one variable or (b) separation of variables if otherwise.  solution with constants to be determined
Apply BCs to determine V
V  E  D  𝑱=𝜎𝑬
Find Q induced on conductor 𝑄= 𝜌 𝑆 𝑑𝑆 , where 𝜌 𝑆 = 𝐷 𝑛 C=Q/V  𝐼= 𝐽𝑑𝑆 R

8. Example 6.1 (page 219)

11. Example 6.2
Details in P222

12. Example 6.3

16. §6.5 Resistance and Capacitance
R’s definition (for all cross sections)
𝑅= 𝑉 𝐼 = 𝑬∙𝑑𝒍 𝜎𝑬∙𝑑𝑺
Procedure to calculate R:
Choose a suitable coordinate system
Assume V0 as the potential difference b/w two ends
Solve 𝛻 2 𝑉=0 to obtain V, find E from 𝑬=−𝛻𝑉, then find I from I= 𝜎𝑬 ∙𝑑𝑺
Finally, obtain 𝑅= 𝑉 0 /𝐼

17. Assuming Q and determining V in terms of Q (involving Gauss’s law)
(continue)
Capacitance is the ratio of magnitude of the charge on one of the plates to the potential difference between them.
𝐶= 𝑄 𝑉 = 𝜖 𝑬∙𝑑𝑺 𝑬∙𝑑𝒍
Two methods to find C:
Assuming Q and determining V in terms of Q (involving Gauss’s law)
Assuming V and determining Q interms of V (involving solving Laplace’s Eq.)

18. First methods QV, procedure: Choose a suitable coordinate system
(continue)
First methods QV, procedure:
Choose a suitable coordinate system
Let the two conductor plates carry Q and –Q
Determine E by using Gauss’s law and find V from 𝑉=− 𝑬∙𝑑𝒍 . (Negative sign can be ignored. We are interested at absolute value of V)
Finally, obtain C from Q/V

19. (continue)

20. (continue)

21. (continue)

22. (continue)

23. (continue)
Example 6.8: a metal bar of conductivity σ is bent to form a flat 90o sector of inner radius a, outer radius b, and thickness t as shown in Figure Show that (a) the resistance of the bar between the vertical curved surfaces at ρ=a and ρ=b is 𝑅= 2𝑙𝑛𝑏/𝑎 𝜎𝜋𝑡 (b) the resistance between the two horizontal surface at z=0 and z=t is 𝑅 ′ = 4𝑡 𝜎𝜋( 𝑏 2 − 𝑎 2 ) z x y b a

24. (a) Use Laplace’s Eq. in cylindrical coordinate system: 𝛻 2 𝑉= 1 𝜌 𝑑 𝑑𝜌 𝜌 𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝜌 =0 𝑉=𝐴𝑙𝑛𝜌+𝐵 𝑉 𝜌=𝑎 =0→0=𝐴𝑙𝑛𝑎+𝐵 𝑜𝑟 𝐵=−𝐴𝑙𝑛𝑎 𝑉 𝜌=𝑏 = 𝑉 0 =𝐴𝑙𝑛𝑏+𝐵 𝑜𝑟 𝐴= 𝑉 0 𝑙𝑛 𝑏 𝑎 So, 𝑉=𝐴𝑙𝑛𝜌−𝐴𝑙𝑛𝑎= 𝑉 0 𝑙𝑛 𝑏 𝑎 𝑙𝑛 𝜌 𝑎 , 𝑬=−𝛻𝑉=− 𝑉 0 𝜌𝑙𝑛 𝑏 𝑎 𝒂 𝝆 , 𝐽=𝜎𝑬, 𝑑𝑺=−𝜌𝑑𝜙𝑑𝑧 𝒂 𝝆 , 𝐼= 𝑱∙𝑑𝑺= 𝜋 2 𝑡 𝑉 0 𝜎 𝑙𝑛 𝑏 𝑎 , 𝑅= 𝑉 0 𝐼 = 2𝑙𝑛 𝑏 𝑎 𝜎𝜋𝑡

25. (b) Use Laplace’s Eq. in cylindrical coordinate system: 𝛻 2 𝑉= 𝑑 2 𝑉 𝑑 𝑧 2 =0 𝑉=𝐴𝑧+𝐵 𝑉 𝑧=0 =0→0=0+𝐵 𝑜𝑟 𝐵=0 𝑉 𝜌=𝑡 = 𝑉 0 =𝐴𝑡+𝐵 𝑜𝑟 𝐴= 𝑉 0 𝑡 So, 𝑉= 𝑉 0 𝑡 𝑧, 𝑬=−𝛻𝑉=− 𝑉 0 𝑡 𝒂 𝒛 , 𝐽=𝜎𝑬, 𝑑𝑺=−𝜌𝑑𝜙𝑑𝜌 𝒂 𝒛 , 𝐼= 𝑱∙𝑑𝑺= 𝑉 0 𝜎𝜋( 𝑏 2 − 𝑎 2 ) 4𝑡 , R=V0/I=? (please also use conventional method for (b))

26. Example 6.9: a coaxial cable contains an insulating material of conductivity σ. If the radius of the central wire is a and that of the sheath is b, show that the conductance of the cable per unit length is 𝐺=2𝜋𝜎/𝑙𝑛 𝑏 𝑎 Solve: Let V(ρ=a)=0 and V(ρ=a)=V0 𝐽=𝜎𝑬= −𝜎 𝑉 0 𝜌𝑙𝑛𝑏/𝑎 , 𝑑𝑺=−𝜌𝑑𝜙𝑑𝑧 𝒂 𝝆 𝐼= 2𝜋𝐿𝜎 𝑉 0 𝑙𝑛𝑏/𝑎 R per unit length =V/I/L G=1/R= … a b

27. Example 6. 10: find the charge in shells and the capacitance
Example 6.10: find the charge in shells and the capacitance. Solve: Use Laplace’s Eq. (spherical) And BCs, 𝑉= 𝑉 0 ( 1 𝑟 − 1 𝑏 ) ( 1 𝑎 − 1 𝑏 ) So E=-dV/dr ar, Q=?, C=Q/V0

28. Example 6. 11: assuming V and finding Q to derive Eq. (6
Example 6.11: assuming V and finding Q to derive Eq. (6.22): 𝐶= 𝑄 𝑉 = 𝜖𝑆 𝑑 Solve: From Laplace’s Eq.: 𝛻 2 𝑉=0 𝑑 2 𝑑 𝑥 2 𝑉=0𝑉=𝐴𝑥+𝐵 From BCs: V(0)=0 and V(x=d)=V0 𝑉= 𝑉 0 𝑑 𝑥 So, 𝐸=−𝛻𝑉=− 𝑉 0 𝑑 𝒂 𝒙 , the surface charge: 𝜌 𝑠 =𝐷∙ 𝒂 𝒏 =− 𝜖𝑉 0 𝑑 𝑄= 𝜌 𝑠 𝑆= 𝜖𝑉 0 𝑑 S, so: 𝐶= 𝜖𝑆 𝑑 x d V0

29. Example 6.12: determine the capacitance of each of th Єr1=4 e capacitors in Figure Take Єr2=6, d=5mm, S=30 cm2. Solve: (do it by yourself)
Єr1
d/2
Єr2
d/2
Єr1
Єr2
w/2
w/2

30. Example 6. 13: A cylindrical capacitor has radii a=1cm and b=2. 5cm
Example 6.13: A cylindrical capacitor has radii a=1cm and b=2.5cm. If the space between the plates is filled with and inhomogeneous dielectric with Єr=(10+ρ)/ρ, where ρ is in centimeters, find the capacitance per meter of the capacitor. Solve: Use Eq. 6.27a, set the inner shell with +Q and outer shell with –Q. 𝑉=− 𝑏 𝑎 𝑄 2𝜋 𝜖 0 𝜖 𝑟 𝜌𝐿 𝑑𝜌= 𝑄 2𝜋 𝜖 0 𝑙𝑛 10+𝑏 10+𝑎 C=Q/V=…=434.6 pF/m

31. §6.6 Method of Images
The method of images is introduced by Lord Kelvin to determine V, E and D, avoiding Poison’s Eq.
Image Theory states that a given charge configuration above an infinite grounded perfect conducting plane may be replaced by the charge configuration itself, its image, and an equipotential surface in place of the conducting plane.

32. Conducting plane
grounded
Image charge
So that the potential at the plane position = 0 V

33. In applying the image method, two conditions must always be satisfied:
Equipotential V = 0
Perfect conducting surface grounded
In applying the image method, two conditions must always be satisfied:
The image charge(s) must be located in the conducting region (satify Poisson’s Eq.)
The image charge(s) must be located such that on the conducting surface(s) the potential is zero or constant

34. A point charge above a grounded conducting plance