Example

 1:  THE  ELECTRIC  DIPOLE  

1  
The  Electric  Dipole:  
z
 P
r+

+   r
θ
d

r−
_  

Q Q Q ⎛ 1 1⎞
Φ= − = ⎜ − ⎟
4πε r+ 4πε r− 4πε ⎝ r+ r− ⎠

2  
The  Electric  Dipole:  

z
 P
r+
 Law  of  Cosines:  
+   r
θ A
B
d α
 C
r− A2 = B 2 + C 2 − 2 ABcos α
_  

( 2) d
2
r± = r + d
2
 2r cosθ
2
3  
The  Electric  Dipole:  

z
 P
r+

+   
θ r Important  pracBcal  approximaBon:  
d << r
d

r−
_  

( 2 )  rd cosθ
2
r± = r 2 + d

4  
The  Electric  Dipole:  

d << r

( 2 )  rd cosθ
2
r± = r + d 2

d2 d
= r 1+ 2  cosθ
4r r x << 1
d x
≈ r 1 cosθ 1± x ≈ 1±
r 2
⎛ d ⎞ d
≈ r ⎜ 1 cosθ ⎟ = r  cosθ
⎝ 2r ⎠ 2

5  
The  Electric  Dipole:   d << r
z
d
r − cosθ
2
+  
r

d
θ
_   d
r + cosθ
2

6  
The  Electric  Dipole:  

x << 1
1
Q ⎛ 1 1⎞ ≈ 1 x
Φ= ⎜ − ⎟ 1± x
4πε ⎝ r+ r− ⎠
⎛ ⎞
d<<r
Q ⎜ 1 1 ⎟
= ⎜ − ⎟
4πε r d d
⎜ 1− cosθ 1+ cosθ ⎟
⎝ 2r 2r ⎠
Q ⎛ d ⎛ d ⎞⎞ Qd
≈ ⎜ 1+ cosθ − ⎜ 1− cosθ ⎟ ⎟ = cosθ
4πε r ⎝ 2r ⎝ 2r ⎠ ⎠ 4πε r 2

7  
The  Electric  Dipole:  
 
 
  Qd
 
Φ≈ cosθ
  4πε r 2

 

( )
 
Define   p ≈ Qd ẑ
  ẑ
 
and  note   cos θ = ẑ i r̂ θ
r̂


p i r̂
Φ≈
4πε r 2

8  
The  Electric  Dipole:  
 

p i r̂
Φ≈
4πε r 2
 ∂Φ ˆ 1 ∂Φ ⎛ ∂ ⎞
E = −∇Φ = − r̂ −θ ⎜⎝ ∂ϕ = 0⎟⎠
∂r r ∂θ
∂ ⎛ Qd ⎞ ˆ 1 ∂ ⎛ Qd ⎞
= − r̂ ⎜ cosθ ⎟ − θ ⎜ cosθ ⎟
∂r ⎝ 4πε r 2
⎠ r ∂θ ⎝ 4πε r 2
⎠
⎛ Qd ⎞ ˆ 1 ⎛ Qd ⎞
= − r̂ ⎜ −2 cosθ ⎟ − θ ⎜ − sin θ ⎟
⎝ 4πε r 3
⎠ r ⎝ 4πε r 2
⎠

=
Qd
4πε r 3
2 r̂ cos θ(+ ˆ sin θ
θ )
9  
The  Electric  Dipole:  
 

E=
Qd
4πε r 3
2 r̂ cos θ + θ( )
ˆ sin θ

 Qd Qd
E = 4cos 2
θ + sin 2
θ = 1+ 3cos 2
θ
4πε r 3
4πε r 3

10  
Example  2:  FINITE  LENGTH  LINE  
OF  CHARGE  (again)  
 
Earlier  we  found  the  E-­‐field  on  the  z-­‐axis.  Doing  anything  else  
would  have  required  difficult  integraBons.  
 
Here  is  a  case  where  it  is  easier  to  find  the  potenBal  and  then  
compute  the  electric  field.  

11  
 z
a Note  the  φ-­‐independence  

dQ = ρ dz ′ (0,0, z′ )
  
R = r − r ′, R = r + ( z − z ′ )
 2 2
r ′ = z ′ẑ

r
0
 z
r
ρ P dE
r
r 
dEz dE P

−a ρ dz ′
dΦ =  
4πε o r − r ′

12  
 ρ  dz ′
dΦ =  
4πε o r − r ′
a
ρ dz ′
Φ= ∫  
4πε r − r′
dx
{ }
−a o
a
ρ dz ′ ∫ x +a
2 2
= ln x + x 2 + a 2
= ∫
4πε o r + ( z − z ′ )
2 2
−a

⎧ ⎫
( )
2
ρ ⎪ z − a + r 2
+ z − a ⎪
=− ln ⎨ ⎬
4πε o ⎪ z + a + r 2 + z − a 2
⎩ ( ) ⎪
⎭

13  
 ⎧ ⎫
( )
2
ρ ⎪ z − a + r 2
+ z − a ⎪
Φ=− ln ⎨ ⎬
4πε o ⎪ z + a + r 2 + z − a 2
⎩ ( ) ⎪
⎭

E = −∇Φ
⎛ ⎞
∂Φ ρ 1 1
Ez = − =−  ⎜ − ⎟
∂z 4πε o ⎜ r 2 + z − a 2 2 ⎟
⎝ ( ) r + ( z + a) ⎠
2

⎡ −r ⎤
⎢ ⎥
ρ ⎢ r + ( z − a ) + ( z − a ) r + ( z − a )
2 2
∂Φ
2 2
⎥
Er = − =− ⎢ ⎥
∂r 4πε o ⎢ r ⎥
⎢ + ⎥
r + ( z + a) + ( z + a) r + ( z + a)
2 2 2 2
⎢⎣ ⎥⎦

14  
for z = 0
⎛ ⎞
ρ ⎜ 1 1 ⎟ =0
Ez = − −
4πε o ⎜ r 2 + 0 − a 2 2 ⎟
⎝ ( ) r 2
+ ( )⎠
0 + a
⎡ −r ⎤
⎢ ⎥
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
ρ ⎢ r 2
+ z − a + z − a r 2
+ z − a ⎥
Er = − ⎢ ⎥
4πε o ⎢ r ⎥
⎢ + ⎥
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
⎢⎣ r 2
+ z + a + z + a r 2
+ z + a ⎥⎦
z=0
ρ ⎡ −r r ⎤
=− ⎢ 2 + ⎥
4πε o ⎣ r + a − a r + a
2 2 2
r +a +a r +a ⎦
2 2 2 2

ρ a 1 ρ
= →
2πε o r r 2 + a 2 a → ∞ 2πε o r Agrees  with  our  earlier  results  

15  
Example  3:  INFINITELY  LONG  LINE  
OF  CHARGE  via  Gauss’s  Law  

16  
Infinitely  long  line  charge:   z
Note  that  the  fields  MUST   
be  independent  of  both  z  
and  φ r No  contribuBon  over  end  caps  
since  
 r̂ i ẑ = 0
Gaussian   E = Er r̂
Surface  

 
∫ D i da =
S
∫
Cylinder
ε o Er r̂ i r̂r dϕ dz + ∫
End
ε o Er r̂
i ẑ r dr dϕ
=0
Caps
2π

=  ∫ ε o Er r dϕ = 2π ε o Er r = Qenc = ρ 
0
When  the  necessary  symmetry  
ρ ρ exists,  Gauss’s  Law  is  generally  
⇒ Er = = MUCH  simpler  than  Coulomb’s  
2π ε o r 2πε o r Law.  
17  
Example  4:  A  SPHERICAL  CLOUD  
OF  CHARGE  

18  
Spherical  cloud  of  (uniform)  charge:  
 
  Gaussian  
Since  the  charge  density     Surface  2  
is  uniform:  

QTotal = ρ 43 π r 3 Gaussian  
Surface  1  

ρv
a

Note  that  the  fields  must  

be  independent  of  both  θ  
and  φ, thus 
E = Er r̂
19  
Spherical  cloud  of  (uniform)  charge:  

For  Gaussian  Surface  1:  

Gaussian  
 
∫ o
Surface  2  
ε E i d a = ε E
o r
r̂ i r̂4π r 2

S1

Gaussian   3
Surface  1   ⎛ r⎞
= QEnclosed = QTotal ⎜ ⎟
⎝ a⎠
QTotal r 3 QTotal
ρv ⇒ Er = = r
a 4πε o r a
2 3
4πε o a 3

r<a

QTotal = ρ 43 π r 3 
E = Er r̂
20  
Spherical  cloud  of  (uniform)  charge:  

For  Gaussian  Surface  2:  

Gaussian  
Surface  2  
 
∫ o
ε = πε 2
E i d a 4 E
o r
r
Gaussian   S2
Surface  1  
= QEnclosed = QTotal
QTotal
ρv ⇒ Er = ,r >a
a 4πε o r 2

QTotal = ρ 43 π r 3 
E = Er r̂
21  
Spherical  cloud  of  (uniform)  charge:  

Gaussian  
Surface  2   Er QTotal
4πε o a 2

Gaussian  
Surface  1  

r
ρv a
a
What  is  the  potenBal?  

22  
Spherical  cloud  of  (uniform)  charge:  
r

Φ = − ∫ Er r̂ i r̂ dr
∞

⎧ r
QTotal
⎪ −∫ dr r>a
∞ 4πε o r
2
⎪
=⎨ a r
⎪ Q QTotal r
⎪ − ∫ 4πε r 2 dr − ∫ 4πε a 3 dr r < a
Total

⎩ ∞ o a o

⎧ QTotal
⎪ r>a
⎪ 4πε o r
=⎨
Q
⎪ Total + Total Q a 2
− r 2
r<a
⎪ 4πε o a 4πε a 3
2
⎩ o 23  
Example  5:  AN  INFINITE  SHEET  OF  
CHARGE  

24  
Infinite  sheet  of  charge:  a  simple  yet  important  result  for  the  study  of  the  parallel  plate  
capacitor  

Note  how  the  fields  must  be  independent  of  x,  y,  and  z  

Gaussian  
Surface   ρs
r

x  ⎧⎪ ẑEz z>0
E=⎨
⎪⎩ − ẑEz z<0
25  
Infinite  sheet  of  charge:    
 
ε o ∫ E i da = Q = ρs π r 2 ( )
S
       
ε o ∫ E i da = ε o ∫ E i da + ε o ∫ E i da + ε o ∫ E i da
S Top Bottom Cylindrical
Surface Surface Side

εo
Top
∫ ẑEz i ẑ da + ε o ∫ ( − ẑE ) i ( − ẑda )
Bottom
z

Surface Surface

+ε o ∫ ( ± ẑE ) i r̂a dϕ dz
Cylindrical
z

Side

da = rdrdϕ = π r 2
ρs
⇒ 2ε o Ezπ r = π r ρs ⇒ Ez =
2 2

2ε o 26  
Infinite  sheet  of  charge:  
 
  ⎧ ρs
  ⎪ ẑ z>0
   ⎪ 2ε o
  E=⎨
 
⎪ ρs
  − ẑ z<0
  ⎪ 2ε o
  ⎩
 
Since  the  sheet  extends  of  infinity  we  would  expect  trouble  finding  the  potenBal:    

z
ρs z

Φ = − ∫ ẑEz i ẑ dz = − ∫ dz = ∞
∞ ∞
2ε o

27  
Infinite  sheet  of  charge:  
 
However,  

Φ ab = Φ ( b) − Φ ( a )
b
b b
ρs ρs
= − ∫ ẑEz i ẑ dz = − ∫ dz = −
a a
2ε o 2ε o a

ρs ρs
=−
2ε o
( b − a) =
2ε o
( a − b)

28  
Example  6:  TWO  COAXIAL  SHELLS  
OF  CHARGE  

29  
Two  coaxial  shells  of  charge:  
Once  again,  neglecBng  
z end  effects,  

b
E = Er r̂

ρsa Note :
h Q Q −Q
ρsa = , ρsb =
2π ah 2π bh
2π ahρsa = −2π bhρsb
− ρsb
−Q a
⇒ ρsb = − ρsa
b

30  
Two  coaxial  shells  of  charge:  
Once  again,  neglecBng  
z end  effects,  

b
Gaussian  
E = Er r̂
Surface  1  
a
Gaussian  
Surface  3  

Gaussian   The  charge  enclosed  by  surfaces  

Surface  2   one  and  three  is  zero,  
hence  Er  =  0  inside  the  inner  
cylinder  and  outside  the  outer  
cylinder.    
 
Also,  the  top  and  bofom  
surfaces  do  not  contribute  to  
the  integral  as  usual,  since  

r̂ i ( ± ẑ ) = 0
31  
Two  coaxial  shells  of  charge:  

Q
∫S ( Er r̂ ) i ( r̂ r dϕ dz ) = ε o
2

Q
∫S Er r dϕ dz = ε o
2

ρs ( 2π ah ) ρs a
Er ( 2π rh ) = ⇒ Er =
εo ε or

32  
Two  coaxial  shells  of  charge:   ⎧ 0 r<a
⎪
 ⎪ ρs a
E=⎨ a<r<b
⎪ ε or
⎪ 0 r>b
⎩
r
ρs a r

Φ ( r ) = − ∫ ( Er r̂ ) i ( r̂ dr ) = − ∫ dr
∞
εr
b o

ρs a ρs a ρs a r
( ln r ) = − ( ln r − ln b) = −
r
=− ln , a < r < b
εo b εo εo b
⎧ ρa r
⎪ − s ln a<r<b
Φ(r ) = ⎨ εo b
⎪
⎩ 0 otherwise 33  
Two  coaxial  shells  of  charge:  
 
Also,  

ρs a a
Φ ba = Φ ( a ) − Φ ( b) = − ln , a < r < b
εo b
⎧ r
⎪ ln
⎪ Φ ba b a<r<b
Φ(r ) = ⎨ a
⎪ ln
b
⎪
⎩ 0 otherwise

34  
Two  coaxial  shells  of  charge:  
 
Gauss’s  Law  was  derived  from:  
    
 
 
∇ i D = ρ ⇒ D i da = Qenclosed
  ∫
  pointwise S
  
  over a volume in space
At  a  point  where  there  is  no  charge  (i.e.,  inside  the  cylinder)  the  divergence  
should  equal  zero.  Let’s  verify  this  for  this  example:  
 
    ρs a
  D = εoE = , a<r<b
  ε or
 
   1 ∂ 1 ∂ ⎛ ρs a ⎞
 
 
∇i D =
r ∂r
( ) rDr = ⎜ r
r ∂r ⎝ ε o r ⎠ ⎟ ≡0
 
 
As  an  exercise,  verify  that  the  divergence  of  the  dipole  field  found  earlier  is  
also  zero.  
35  
Two  coaxial  shells  of  charge:  
 
As  an  exercise,  verify  that  the  divergence  of  the  dipole  field  found  earlier  is  
also  zero.  
 
 
  Qd
( )
 
  D = εE = 2 r̂ cos θ + θˆ sin θ
  4π r 3
 
i.e.,  show  that  

∇i D = 0

36