E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1

Lecture Notes 24

Examples of Laplace Equations applications

Ex: Consider a case in cylindrical co-ordinates and assume the variation is only in ρ direction
laplace equation becomes.

1 ∂  ∂v 
ρ =0
ρ ∂ρ  ∂ρ 

Integrating
V = A ln ρ + B
The equipotential surfaces are given by ρ = constant & are cylinders. Considering a co-axial
capacitor & assuming v = vo at ρ = a & v = 0 at ρ = b b > a

Vo = A ln a + B
O = A ln a + B
B = - Aln b
∴ Vo = A ln a – A ln b
= A.ln (a/b)
Vo
∴ A =
ln(a / b)
Vo Vo
∴ V = . ln ρ - ln b
ln(a / b) ln(a / b)
Vo
= ln (ρ/b)
ln(a / b)
ln ( ρ / b ) ln ( b / ρ )
= Vo = Vo
ln ( a / b ) ln ( b / a )
Now E = - ∇v
∂v
=- ap
∂p
∂  ln(b / p ) 
=-  VO  ap
∂p  ln(b / a) 
Vo ∂
=-= [ln b – ln P]
ln(b / a ) ∂p
Vo
= ap
P ln(b / a )
∈ Vo
DN (P = a) = ap
a ln(b / a )
∈ VO
Q = ∫ ds
S a ln(b / a )

2π l ∈ vo
= ∫ ∫ pdφdz
o o a ln(b / a )

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 24
∈ vO 2π al
=
a ln(b / a )
Q 2π ∈ l
∴C = =
Vo ln(b / a )
Example: Develop an expression for the potential difference at any point between spherical
shells in terms of the applied potential using Laplace equation. Let the boundary condition as
V=0 at r=b
V = VO at r=a b>a

Solution: Laplace equation for sp. Co-ordinate is

1 ∂  2 ∂v 
∇2v = r 
r 2 ∂r  ∂r 
1 ∂  ∂v 1 ∂ 2v 
+ 2  sin θ + =0
a b r sin θ ∂θ  ∂θ r 2 sin 2 θ ∂φ 2 

By symmetry the potential function depends upon radial distance ‘r’ alone.
1 ∂  2 dv 
Hence r =0
r 2 ∂r  dr 
∂  2 dv 
Is r =0
dr  dr 
Integrity once
dv
r2 =A
dr
dv A
∴ =
dr r 2
Integrity again
−A
V= +B
r
Applying boundary conditions

V = O at r=6
A
∴ 0 =- +B
b
A
∴ B =
b
V = Vo at r=a

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 24
A
Vo = - +B
b
A A
=- − +
a b
1 1 
=A  − 
b a 
VO
∴ A =
1 1
−
b a

−VO V
∴ V = + O
1 1  1 − 1
r − 
b a  b a
1 1 ------------ (1)
−
V = VO r b
1 1
−
a b

Now
E = - ∇v
∂v For the same problem show that E
=- ar is minimum
∂r 2v
 1 1 = O at surface as inner sphere
− a
∂  r b
∴ E = - −  vo  ar if inner sphere has a radius half of
∂r  1 − 1  radius
 a b V ab
−Vo ∂ 1 1  E= 2 O
= − ar r (b − a )
1 1 ∂r  r b 
− At r = a
a b
VO 1 VO ab VO b
= . ar E= =
1 1 r2 r (b − a )
2
a(b − a)
−
a b
At a = b/2
EVO
DN ( r = a ) = ε E = ar = ρS
2 1 1 VO b
a  −  E=
a b a (b − b / 2)
∴ Q = ∫ ρ S ds VO b
S
=
∈ vO a(b / 2)
= ∫
S
r =a 1 1
r 2 sin θ dθ dφ
2v
a2  −  = o
a b a

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 24
π 2π ∈ vo
= ∫ ∫
O O  1 1 
a 2 sin θ dθ dφ
a2  − 
a b
2π ∈ vo π
1 1 ∫0
= sin θ dθ
−
a b
4π ∈ VO
=
1 1
−
a b
Q
∴ C =
VO

4π ∈
C=
1 1
−
a b

2. Two parallel conducting planes in free space are at y = o & Y = 0.02m and the zero voltage
ref. as at y = 0.01m. if D = 253 ay nc/m2. between the conductor determine the conductor
voltages
Solution: using Laplace equation
∇2V = O
Since the variation in along y direction
∂ 2v
=0
dy 2
∴ V = Ay + B ---------------- (1)
D
E = = - ∇v = -A ay
∈O
253 × 10−9
∴ ay = -A ay
8.854 ×10−12
A = -2.86 × 104 v/m
Now V = 0 at y = 0.01m
From equation (1)

0 = A (0.01) + B
∴ B = -0.01 A
= 2.86 × 104 × 0.01= 2.86 × 102 v
V = - 2.86 × 104y + 2.86 × 102 v
Thus at y =0
V = 286 v
And y = 0.02m
V = -2.86 × 104× 0.02 + 2.86 × 102
= - 2 × 2.86 × 102 + 2.86 × 102
= -2.86 × 102 = - 286 v

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 24

Ex:. In spherical co-ordination v = 865 v at r = 50cm & E = 748.2 ar v/m at r = 85cm. determine
the location of voltage reference of the potential depends only on r
A
Solution: V=- +B
r
Apply boundary conditions
A
865 = - +B
0.50
∂ A
E = 748.2 ar = - ∇v = - (- + B)
dr r
A
=- 2
r
∴ at r = 0.85m

A = -748.2 × (0.85)2
= - 540.57v

A 540.57
∴ B = 865 + = 865 -
0.5 0.5
= - 216.14v
540.57
∴ V = - 216.14 v
r
The location of voltage ref is at V = 0

540.57
∴ O = - 216.14 v
r
540.57
∴ r = = 2.50m
216.14
r = 250 cm
C
.Ex: Verify that V1 = 1 where C1 is arbitrary constant is the solution of Laplace equation (5)
R
Solution:
In spherical co-ordinates
1 ∂  2 dv 
∇2v = 2 R 
R ∂R  dR 
1 ∂  2  C1  
= 2 R −
R ∂R   R 2  

1 ∂
= 2 (-C1)
R ∂R
=0
∴ Laplace equation is satisfied.

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.