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Chapter 4 discusses electrostatic boundary-value problems, focusing on Poisson's and Laplace's equations to compute electric field (E) and potential (V) in given regions. It outlines procedures for solving these equations and calculating resistance (R) and capacitance (C) for various geometries. The chapter includes examples and exercises to illustrate the concepts and calculations involved in electrostatics.

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5 views

chapter4 (2)

Chapter 4 discusses electrostatic boundary-value problems, focusing on Poisson's and Laplace's equations to compute electric field (E) and potential (V) in given regions. It outlines procedures for solving these equations and calculating resistance (R) and capacitance (C) for various geometries. The chapter includes examples and exercises to illustrate the concepts and calculations involved in electrostatics.

Uploaded by

kalkidanasale
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 4

Electrostatic
Boundary-Value Problems

Boundary-value problems are those in which the electrostatic conditions


(charge and potential) are known at some boundaries and it is desired to
compute E and V throughout the region. Such problems are tackled using
Poisson’s or Laplace’s equation or the method of images.

4.1 Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations


Consider the electrostatic equation

∇ · D = ∇ · εE = ρv , and, (4.1)
E = −∇V (4.2)

Substituting (4.1) into (4.2)

∇ · (−ε∇V ) = ρv (4.3)

for inhomogeneous medium. For homogeneous medium we have

ρv
∇2 V = − Poisson’s equation (4.4)
ε

For charge-free region (ρv = 0), the Poisson equation reduces to

∇2 V = 0 Laplace’s equation (4.5)

1
Class Notes on ECEG-2110
4.1. POISSON’S AND LAPLACE’S EQUATIONS Electromagnetic Fields

Depending on the coordinate system

∂2V ∂2V ∂2V


∇2 V = + +
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2
1 ∂2V ∂2V
 
1 ∂ ∂V
= ρ + 2 +
ρ ∂ρ ∂ρ ρ ∂φ2 ∂z 2
∂2V
   
1 ∂ 2 ∂V 1 ∂ ∂V 1
= r + sin θ +
r2 ∂r ∂r r2 sin θ ∂θ ∂θ r2 sin2 θ ∂φ2

Procedures for solving a given boundary-value problem:

1. Solve Laplace’s (if ρv = 0) or Poisson’s (if ρv 6= 0) equation using


either

• direct integration when V is a function of single variable


• separation of variables if V is a function of multivariable

2. Apply the boundary conditions to determine a unique solution for V

3. Find E using E = −∇V and D from D = εE

4. RIf desired, find the charge Q induced on the conductor using Q =


ρs ds, where ρs = Dn and Dn is the component of D normal to the
conductor.

Example 4.1: In a one-dimensional device, the charge density is given by ρv =


ρo x/a. If E = 0 at x = 0 and V = 0 at x = a, find V and E.

Example 4.2: Two conducting cones θ = π/10 and θ = π/6 of infinite extent are
separated by an infinitesimal gap at r = 0. If V (θ = π/10) = 0 while V (θ = π/6) =
50 V, find V and E between the cones.

Dep. of Electrical & Computer Engineering 2 of 5


AAiT, Addis Ababa University.
April 2011.
Class Notes on ECEG-2110
4.2. RESISTANCE AND CAPACITANCE Electromagnetic Fields

4.2 Resistance and Capacitance

The resistance R of a nonuniform cross-section conductor is


R
V E · dl
R= =H (4.6)
I σE · ds
Steps to calculate R
1. Choose a suitable coordinate system

2. Assume Vo as the potential difference between the conducting termi-


nals

3. Solve ∇2 V = 0. Then determine E = −∇V and I = σE · ds


R

4. Obtain R as Vo /I.
In order to have a capacitor, we must have two (or more) conductors carrying
equal but opposite charges.

The capacitance C of the capacitor is defined as the ratio of the magnitude


of charges on one plate to the potential difference between them
H
Q ε E · ds
C= = R (4.7)
V E · dl
Steps to calculate C

Dep. of Electrical & Computer Engineering 3 of 5


AAiT, Addis Ababa University.
April 2011.
Class Notes on ECEG-2110
4.2. RESISTANCE AND CAPACITANCE Electromagnetic Fields

1. assume Q and determine V in terms of Q (Gauss’s law), or

2. assume V and determine Q in terms of V (Laplace’s equation)

Example 4.3: Derive the capacitance of


1. parallel-plate capacitor
2. coaxial capacitor
3. spherical capacitor
4. isolated spherical capacitor.

Note that
R
V E · dl
R = = H
I σ E · ds
H
Q ε E · ds
C = = R
V E · dl

multiplying the above equations, we have

ε
RC = (4.8)
σ

i.e., the resistance of various capacitors can be readily obtained. Also note
that the resistance R is not the resistance of the capacitor plate but the
leakage resistance between the plates; therefore σ in (4.8) is the conductivity
of the dielectric medium separating the plates.

Example 4.4: Derive the leakage resistance for


1. parallel plate capacitor
2. coaxial capacitor
3. spherical capacitor, and
4. isolated spherical capacitor.
Example 4.5: A metal bar of conductivity σ is bent to form a flat 90◦ sector of
inner radius a, outer radius b, and thickness t. Show that the resistance of the bar
between the vertical curved surfaces at ρ = a and ρ = b is

2 ln b/a
R=
σπt

Dep. of Electrical & Computer Engineering 4 of 5


AAiT, Addis Ababa University.
April 2011.
Class Notes on ECEG-2110
4.2. RESISTANCE AND CAPACITANCE Electromagnetic Fields

while the resistance between the two horizontal surfaces at z = 0 and z = t is


4t
R0 =
σπ(b2 − a2 )

Exercise 4.1: Show that the resistance of the bar in the above example between
the vertical ends located at φ = 0 and φ = π/2 is
π
R=
2σt ln b/a

Exercise 4.2: A disc of thickness t has radius b and a central hole of radius a.
Taking the conductivity of the disc as σ, find the resistance between:
1. the hole and the rim of the disc
2. the two flat sides of the disc.
ln b/a t
(ans. 2πtσ and σπ(b2 −a2 ) )

Exercise 4.3: A spherical capacitor with inner radius a and outer radius b is filled
with an inhomogeneous dielectric with ε = εo k/r2 . Show that the capacitance of
the capacitor is
4πεo k
C=
b−a

Dep. of Electrical & Computer Engineering 5 of 5


AAiT, Addis Ababa University.
April 2011.

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