Boundary value problems in spherical polar coordinate system

Boundary value problems are crucial in various fields of science and engineering, particularly
when solving partial differential equations (PDEs) like the Laplace equation.
The Laplace equation, given by:
 2V  0,where,  2 is the Laplacian operator and V is the potential function, plays a central
role in potential theory, electrostatics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.
Rectangular Coordinate System
In rectangular coordinates  x,y,z  , the Laplace equation is:
 2 2 2 
 2V  x, y,z    2  2  2  V  x, y,z 
 x y z 
Solving the Laplace equation in rectangular coordinates is particularly useful for problems
with rectangular geometries or boundary conditions. For example, in the design of electronic
components or structural elements with rectangular shapes, boundary value problems help
determine how potential fields distribute within these components. Common techniques include
separation of variables and Fourier series to find solutions that satisfy specified boundary
conditions on the surfaces of the rectangular domain.
Spherical Coordinate System
In spherical coordinates  r, ,  , the Laplace equation transforms to:
1   2 V  1     1  2
 2V  r, ,    r    sin    ,
r 2 r  r  r 2 sin      r 2 sin   2
where,V  r, ,   R  r        .This form is suited for problems involving spherical geometries,
such as the gravitational or electrostatic potential around spherical bodies. In these cases,
boundary conditions are often specified on spherical surfaces, and solutions are frequently
expressed in terms of spherical harmonics. The ability to solve these problems helps in
understanding phenomena like planetary fields or electromagnetic fields in spherical cavities.

1
Importance
1. Real-World Applications: In both coordinate systems, solving boundary value problems
is essential for predicting the behavior of physical systems under various conditions.
For instance, in electrostatics, it helps in determining the electric potential around
charged objects.
2. Mathematical Techniques: The process of solving these problems often involves
sophisticated mathematical techniques, such as separation of variables and orthogonal
functions, which are fundamental in applied mathematics.
3. Engineering Design: Accurate solutions to boundary value problems enable engineers
to design systems with desired properties, such as minimizing potential energy or optimizing
heat distribution.
So, the study and solution of boundary value problems in different coordinate systems are
fundamental to both theoretical and applied disciplines. They provide insights into how
physical quantities behave under specified conditions, which is crucial for practical
applications and technological advancements.

Spherical Coordinate System

In spherical coordinates  r, ,  , the Laplace equation transforms to:
1   2 V  1     1  2
 2V  r, ,    r    sin    0
r 2 r  r  r 2 sin      r 2 sin 2   2
where,V  r, ,   R  r       
1 d  2 dR  1 d  d  1 d 2
 r  2  sin    0
R  r  r dr  dr  r sin  .   d
2
 d  r 2 sin  2 .   d 2
1 d  2 dR  1 d  d  1 d 2
 r   sin   0
R  r  dr  dr  sin  .   d  d  sin 2  .   d 2
1 d 2
Let :  m 2      Aeim  Be im        1
   d  2
1 d  2 dR  d 2 R 2 dR l  l  1 D
r   l  l  1  2   R  r   0  R  r   Cr l  l 1
R  r  dr  dr  dr r dr r 2
r
1 d  d   m2 
  sin      
l l  1   
sin  .   d  d   sin 2  
1 d  d   m2 
  sin  
  l  l  1        0      Pl  cos  
m

sin  d  d   sin 2  

2
  B 
In  symmetric system,V  r, ,   V  r,  and V  r,    Ar l  l 1  Pl  cos  
 r 

 B 
More correctly,V  r,     Al r l  l l1  Pl  cos  
l 0  r 
For a spherical system, where, V  r,   V  R,   V0   , for inside potential, V  r,   Al r l Pl  cos  
because, at r  0, the potential will blows up, hence, for inside region, Bl  0
 
V  r,    Al r l Pl  cos    V  R,    Al R l Pl  cos    V0  
l 0 l 0

Multiply both side by Pm  cos   sin  d and int egrate from   0 to  , we have,
  

 V   P  cos   sin  d   A R  P  cos   P  cos   sin  .d , here, m in any int eger  say 7 
l
0 m l l m
0 l 0 0

 0 for l  m

Now :  Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  .d

2
0  for l  m
2l 1
 
2
So,  Al R l  Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  .d  Al R l . for l  m and summation will not come.
l 0 0
2l  1

k 1  cos    k  P0  cos    P1  cos   
1 1
Let,V0    k sin 2 
2 2 2

Now, V  R,    Al R l Pl  cos    V0    k  k cos   k  P0  cos    P1  cos   
1 1 1
l 0 2 2 2
 Expanding the series and comparing Pl  cos   :
1 1
A0 R0 P0  cos    A1 R1 P1  cos    ....  kP0  cos    kP1  cos  
2 2
1 1
So, A0  k and A1   k and all other Al ' s are zero.
2 2R
1  r 
V  r,   k  1  cos  
2  R 
Note : It is impor tan t to find out the cons tan ts Al . One may use other methods. The 1st term is
due to external field and the 2nd terms is due to the induced ch arg e on the sphere.

3
  B 
In  symmetric system,V  r, ,   V  r,  and V  r,    Ar l  l l1  Pl  cos  
 r 

 B 
More correctly,V  r,     Al r l  l l1  Pl  cos  
l 0  r 
Bl
For a spherical system, where, V  r,   V  R,   V   , for outside potential, V  r,   Pl  cos  
r l 1
because, at r  0, the potential will blows up, hence, for inside region, Bl  0
 
Bl Bl
V  r,    P
l 1 l  cos    V  R,    l 1 l 
P cos    V  
l 0 r l 0 R

Multiply both side by Pm  cos   sin  d and int egrate from   0 to  , we have,
 
Bl 
 V0   Pm  cos   sin  d  
0 l 0 R l 1 0
Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  .d , here, m in any int eger  say 7 

 0 for l  m

Now :  Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  .d

2
0  for l  m
2l 1
 
B B 2
So,  l l 1  Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  .d  l l 1 . for l  m and summation will not come.
l 0 R 0
R 2l  1

Bl 2
 V0   Pl  cos   sin  d
2l  1 0
 l 1
.
R
 2l  1 R l 1 
 Bl 
2    P  cos   sin  d
0
V l

U sin g boundary condition, say, at r  R, potential is V    R 2 cos  . Integrate and find out
non  zero values of Bl . Knowing that one can exp ress V  r,  out side the sphere.

4
So far we have discussed the problems where there is no external uniform field present.
Let us consider, the space is filled with uniform electrostatic field E0  constant.
This is possible for an infinite ch arg ed sheet with ch arg e density   constant
Now, if you place a sphere at some po int, due to induction, the sphere will be
induced and the ch arg e distribution would be      . So, there will be no induced
ch arg e on the equitorial plane which is passing through the center of the circle.
Let us take that planeis zero potential surface which is our reference plane.

With reference to the figure, x  y planeis the zero potential surface. So, the general
solution of potential in  symmetric system is :

 B 
V  r, ,   V  r,  and V  r,     Al r l  l l1  Pl  cos  
l 0  r 
At a large distance, 2nd term will be zero. However, the 1st term will tend to . So, at
large distance. What about at finite distance? There, the effect of the external field
as well as the effect due to the sphere will be finite. So, in this problem,we have to keep
both the term in the general solution. Now, the boundary condition is :

 B  B
V  r,   0 at r  R. So, V  R,     Al R l  l l 1  Pl  cos    0  Al R l  l l 1  0
l 0  R  R

 R 2l 1 
 Bl   Al R 2l 1  So,V  r,    Al  r l  l 1  Pl  cos  
l 0  r 

5
Now, for r  R, potential is only due to the external sourse and hence, V  r,    E0 z  C,
where, z is the position coordinate of the field po int . So, z  r cos  . Sin ce C is a cons tan t

and we can take is as zero. So, the 2nd boundary condition :V  r,    Al r l Pl  cos     E0 r cos 
l 0

Comparing both side,


 V  r,    Al r l Pl  cos    A1r 1 P1  cos     E0 r cos    E0 rP1  cos  
l 0

R 2.11 E0 R 3
So, A1   E0 and B1   A1 . 
2 2
 R 
3
 R3 
,V  r,   A1  r  2  P1  cos     E0  r  2  cos 
 r   r 
The 1st part is due to the external field and the 2nd part is the field produced by
the induce sphere. Carefully, the ch arg e distribution over the sphere gives non  zero dipole
moment. Comparing the potential due to a dipole at finite dis tan ce with the 2nd term,
E0 R 3 cos  1  4 0 E0 R  cos  1  p.rˆ 
3

it is clear that the dipole potential is :   ,

r 2
4 0 r 2
4 0 r 2
Where, the dipole moment of the induced sphere, p  pkˆ  4 E R 3 k; ˆ Check dim ention
0 0

In this problem, there is no external field . So, the complete region is divided into
two regions, r  R and r  R. Corresponding solutions are:
 
Bl
V  r,    Al r l Pl  cos   for r  R and V  r,    Pl  cos   for r  R.
l 0 l 0 r l 1
Let the distribution of the glued charge is      0 cos 
Since potential is contineous at the surface r=R, So,
 
Bl
 A R P  cos     R
l 0
l
l
l
l 0
l 1
Pl  cos    Bl  Al R 2l 1

6
 Vout  V     V Vin   
Also,     in    out  
r r R  r r R  0 r r R r r R 0

Bl      0 cos   0 P1  cos  
   l  1 P  cos     lAl R l 1 Pl  cos     
l 0 R l 2 l
l 0 0 0 0

Al R 2l 1   P  cos  
Now,Bl  Al R 2l 1 ; So,   l  1 P  cos     lAl R l 1 Pl  cos    0 1
l 0 R l 2 l
l 0 0
 0 P1  cos   
 2 A1 P1  cos    A1 P1  cos     A1  0 .
0 3 0

 0 r cos 
Vin   Al r l Pl  cos    A1r 1 P1  cos    for r  R
l 0 3 0

Bl B1 A1 R 211 cos   0 R 3 cos 
and Vout   P  cos    P  cos     for r  R.
l 0 r
l 1 l
r 11 1 r2 3 0 r 2

 a  In this problem, there is no external field . So, the complete region is divided into
two regions, r  R and r  R. Corresponding solutions are:
 
Bl
V  r,    Al r l Pl  cos   for r  R and V  r,    Pl  cos   for r  R.
l 0 l 0 r l 1
Since potential is contineous at the surface r=R, and it is V0    V0 cons tan t
 
Bl
  Al Rl Pl  cos     l 1 l 
P cos    Bl  Al R 2l 1 .
l 0 l 0 R

And ,  Al R l Pl  cos    V0 , So, l  0 and hence, A0  V0
l 0

Sin ce,Bl  Al R 2l 1  B0  A0 R1  A0 R  V0 R
 
Bl VR
 Vin  r,    Al r l Pl  cos    V0 and Vout  r,    l 1 l 
P cos    0
l 0 l 0 r r

7
 b  In this problem, there is no external field . So, the complete region is divided into
two regions, r  R and r  R. Corresponding solutions are:
 
Bl
V  r,    Al r Pl  cos   for r  R and V  r,   
l
Pl  cos   for r  R.
l 0 l 0 r l 1
Since potential is contineous at the surface r=R.
 
Bl
So,V  R,    Al R l Pl  cos    
l 1 l 
P cos    Bl  Al R 2l 1
l 0 l 0 R

The surface carries a surface charge distribution

of constant density  0 .
Vout  V     V V 
Also,     in    out  in  0
rr R  r r  R  0 r r  R r r  R  0

B 
  P
   l  1 l l 2 Pl  cos     lAl R l 1 Pl  cos    0  0 0 , So, l  0
l 0 R l 0 0 0
B0 A0 R A0  0 0R  0 R2
 2 P0  cos    0  A0 R P0  cos    2 
1
  A0  and B0 
R R R 0 0 0

0R 
Bl B0  0 R 2
Vin  r,    Al r Pl  cos   
l
and Vout  r,    l 1 Pl  cos    
l 0 0 l 0 r r 0r
1
Check the factor in the answer.
2
Further, Total ch arg e over the surface,Q  4 R 2 0
0R QR Q
So,Vin  r,     as usual.
0 4 R 2
4 R
 0 R2 QR 2 Q 1
Vout  r,     . as usual
0r 4 R  0 r 4 0 r
2

First split cos 3 in terms Pl  cos  

4
cos 3  4 cos 3   3 cos  
5
 5 cos 3   3 cos    3 cos   cos 
12
5
8  5 cos   3 cos   3
 cos 3   5 cos 3   3 cos    cos   
3
4 3
  cos 
5 5 5 2  5
8 3
 cos 3  P3  cos    P1  cos  
5 5

8
 8 3 
So, the potential over the surface :V0  R,   k  P3  cos    P1  cos   
5 5 
 
B
Vin  r,    Al r l Pl  cos   for r  R and Vout  r,    l l1 Pl  cos   for r  R.
l 0 l 0 r

Since potential is contineous at the surface r=R.

 
Bl
So,V  R,    Al R l Pl  cos     l 1 l 
P cos    Bl  Al R 2l 1
l 0 l 0 R
 
Vin  r,    Al r l Pl  cos     Al R l Pl  cos    V0  R,   V0  
l 0 l 0
  
2
  V0   .Pm  cos   sin  d   Al R l  Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  d Al R l . for l  m
0 l 0 0
2l  1
 
2l  1 2l  1  8 3 
l  0  l 
 Al  V  .P cos   sin  d  k P3  cos    P1  cos    .Pl  cos   sin  d
l  
2R 0 2R 0  5 5 
Integration will survive only for l  3 and 1. So,
2  3  1 8k 2 8k 2  1  1 8k 2 8k
A3  . .  and A1   . . 
2R 3
5 2  3  1 5R 3
2R 1
5 2 1  1 5R
4
23 1 8k 7 8kR 211 8kR 3 8kR 2
So, B3  A3 .R  A3 .R 
7
.R  and B1  A1 .R  A1 .R  
3

5R 3 5 5R 5

8k 8kr  5 cos 3   3 cos  
3
Vin  r,    Al r l Pl  cos    A1r 1 P1  cos    A3 r 3 P3  cos     r cos   . 
l 0 5R 5R 3  2 
8k 8kr 3 5 cos 3   3cos 
Vin  r,    r cos   .
5R 5R 3 2

Bl B1 B3 8kR 2 P1  cos   8kR 4 P3  cos  
Vout  r,    l 1 Pl  cos    11 P1  cos    31 P3  cos     
l 0 r r r 5 r2 5 r4
8kR 2 cos  8kR 4 5 cos 3   3cos 
 Vout  r,    
5 r2 10 r4

9
 8 3 
So, the potential over the surface :V0  R,   k  P3  cos    P1  cos   
5 5 
 
B
Vin  r,    Al r l Pl  cos   for r  R and Vout  r,    l l1 Pl  cos   for r  R.
l 0 l 0 r

Since potential is contineous at the surface r=R.

 
Bl
So,V  R,    Al R l Pl  cos     Pl  cos    Bl  Al R 2l 1
l 0 l 0 R l 1
 
Vin  r,    Al r l Pl  cos     Al R l Pl  cos    V0  R,   V0  
l 0 l 0
  
2
  V0   .Pm  cos   sin  d   Al R  Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  d Al R l .
l
for l  m
0 l 0 0
2l  1
 
2l  1 2l  1  8 3 
l  0  l 
 Al  V  .P cos   sin  d  k P3  cos    P1  cos    .Pl  cos   sin  d
l  
2R 0 2R 0  5 5 
Integration will survive only for l  3 and 1. So,
2  3  1 8k 2 8k 2  1  1 8k 2 8k
A3  . .  and A1   . . 
2R 3
5 2  3  1 5R 3
2R 1
5 2 1  1 5R
4
8k 7 8kR 8kR 3 8kR 2
So, B3  A3 .R 231  A3 .R7  .R  and B 1  A1 .R 211
 A1 .R 3
   
5R 3 5 5R 5

8k 8kr  5 cos 3   3 cos  
3
Vin  r,    Al r l Pl  cos    A1r 1 P1  cos    A3 r 3 P3  cos     r cos   . 
l 0 5R 5R 3  2 
8k 8kr 3 5 cos 3   3cos 
Vin  r,    r cos   .
5R 5R 3 2

Bl B1 B3 8kR 2 P1  cos   8kR 4 P3  cos  
Vout  r,    P  cos    P  cos    P  cos     
r l 1 r 11 r 3 1
l 1 3
l 0 5 r2 5 r4
8kR 2 cos  8kR 4 5 cos 3   3cos 
 Vout  r,    
5 r2 10 r4

10
In this problem, there is no external field . So, the complete region is divided into
two regions, r  R and r  R. Corresponding solutions are:
 
Bl
V  r,    Al r l Pl  cos   for r  R and V  r,    Pl  cos   for r  R.
l 0 l 0 r l 1
Since potential is contineous at the surface r=R.
 
Bl
So,V  R,    Al R l Pl  cos    
l 1 l 
P cos    Bl  Al R 2l 1
l 0 l 0 R

The surface carries a surface charge distribution

of constant density  0 .
Vout  V     V Vin  0  
Also,     in    out  
r r R  r r R  0 r r R r r R 0

Bl   0  
   l  1 P  cos     lA R l 1
P  cos   
l 0 Rl 2
l
l 0
l l
0

Al R 2l 1    
   l  1 P  cos     lAl R l 1 Pl  cos    0
l 0 R l 2 l
l 0 0
  0   
   2l  1 Al R l 1 Pl  cos      0     0   2l  1 Al R l 1 Pl  cos  .
l 0 0 l 0

   
Now,Vin  R,    Al R Pm  cos    V0   V0  Pl  cos   sin  d   Al R
m m
 P  cos   P  cos   sin  d
l m
l 0 0 l 0 0
  
2
  V0  Pm  cos   sin  d   Al r m  Pl  cos   Pm  cos   sin  d  Al R l .
0 l 0 0
2l  1

2l  1
. V0  Pl  cos   sin  d
2R l 0
 Al 


 
2l  1
So, 0     0   2l  1 Al R l 1 Pl  cos     0   2l  1 R l 1 . . V0  Pl  cos   sin  d Pl  cos  
l 0 l 0 2R l 0

0 
 
  0      2l  1  V  P  cos   sin  d P  cos      2l  1 Cl Pl  cos  
2 0 2
0 l l
2R l 0 0
2R l 0

11