Electromagnetic Field Theory
Module 04: Electrostatic boundary value problems
(Laplace & Poisson eqn) Capacitance – Uniqueness Theorem- Method of images.
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Electrostatic Boundary value problems
E or D Coulomb’s law or Gauss’s law charge distribution
potential distribution
In most practical situations, however, neither the charge distribution nor the potential
distribution is known in a region.
Charge and potential at some boundaries are known and it is desired to find E and V
throughout the region. Such problems are usually tackled using Poisson’s or Laplace’s
equation or the method of images, and they are usually referred to as boundary value
problems.
Poisson’s equation
Laplace’s equation
Laplace’s equation in Cartesian,
cylindrical, or spherical coordinates
Laplace’s equation is used in deriving the resistance of an object and the capacitance of
a capacitor.
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Uniqueness theorem
Any solution of Laplace’s equation that satisfies the same boundary conditions must
be the only solution regardless of the method used, it is unique. This is known as the
uniqueness theorem.
The theorem applies to any solution of Poisson’s or Laplace’s equation in a given
region or closed surface.
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Electrostatic Boundary value problems
Method of Images
A boundary-value problem involving an infinite conducting plane or wedge may be
solved by using the method of images. This basically entails replacing the charge
Configuration by itself, its image, and an equipotential surface in place of the
conducting plane. Thus the original problem is replaced by “an image problem,”
which is solved by using Coulomb’s law & Gauss law.
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General procedures for solving Poisson’s and Laplace equation
General procedure to be considered while solving a given boundary-value problem
involving Poisson’s or Laplace’s equation are as follows
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Question 1:
Solution 1:
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Question 2:
Solution 2:
z = 0, B = 100 V
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Question 3:
Solution 3:
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Question 4:
Solution 4:
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Question 5:
Solution 5:
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Question 5:
Solution 5:
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Capacitor
Determining Capacitance by applying Coulomb’s law/ Gauss law & Laplace equation
Capacitance of a
1. Parallel plate Capacitor
2. Cylindrical Capacitor
3. Spherical Capacitor
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Capacitor – Two conductor
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Parallel plate Capacitor - Capacitance - Gauss law & Coulomb’s law
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Parallel plate Capacitor - Capacitance using Laplace equation
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Capacitance using Laplace equation
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Coaxial Capacitor or cylindrical Capacitor
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Coaxial Capacitor or cylindrical Capacitor
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Spherical Capacitor
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Capacitance Summary
Parallel plate Capacitor
Cylindrical/ Coaxial Capacitor
Spherical Capacitor
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Example: 1
Solution:1
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Example: 2
Solution:2
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Example: 3 Determine the capacitance of 10 m length of the cylindrical capacitors shown in
Figure. Take a = 1 mm, b = 3 mm, c = 2 mm, εr1 = 2.5, and εr2 = 3.5.
Solution: 3
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Example: 4 A spherical capacitor with a = 1.5 cm, b = 4 cm has an inhomogeneous
dielectric of ε =10εo/r. Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
Solution:4
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Example: 5 Figure represents the cross sections of two
spherical capacitors. Determine their capacitances if a
= 1 mm, b = 3 mm, c = 2 mm, εr1 = 2.5, and εr2 = 3.5.
Solution:5
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Method of Images - Lord Kelvin in 1848
The method of images is commonly used to determine V, E, D, and ρS due to charges in
the presence of conductors.
By this method, we avoid solving Poisson’s or Laplace’s equation but rather utilize the
fact that a conducting surface is an equipotential.
Although the method does not apply to all electrostatic problems, it can reduce a
formidable problem to a simple one.
The 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.
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Method of Images
Charge and Charge distributions above a perfectly conducting plane and their image-method
equivalents.
Charge above the ground plane Equivalent configuration
Conducting plane replaced by
a equipotential surface.
Charge distributions above the ground plane
Equivalent distributions
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Application of the image method for finding E,V at point P and surface charge density
Electric Field
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Method of Images
In general, when the method of images is used for a system consisting of a point charge
between two semi-infinite conducting planes inclined at an angle φ(in degrees), the
number of images is given by
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Example: 1 A point charge of 10 nC is located at point P(0, 0, 3) while the conducting
plane z = 0 is grounded. Calculate
(a) V and E at R(6,3,5) R (6,3,5)
(b) The force on the charge due to induced charge on the plane.
Q (0,0,3)
Solution:1
z=0
Qi (0,0,-3)
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Example: 2 Infinite line x = 3, z = 4 carries 16 nC/m and is located in free space above the
conducting plane z = 0. (a) Find E at (2, -2, 3). (b) Calculate the induced surface charge
density on the conducting plane at (5, -6, 0).
Solution:2
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