Scribd
Upload
407 views

Lecture 20 Boundary Conditions I

The boundary conditions for an interface between two dielectric media are: 1) The tangential components of the electric field are continuous across the interface. 2) The normal component of the electric displacement field is continuous across the interface. 3) The normal component of the electric field is discontinuous across the interface according to the ratio of the dielectric constants.

Uploaded by

Zuha Fatima
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
407 views

Lecture 20 Boundary Conditions I

The boundary conditions for an interface between two dielectric media are: 1) The tangential components of the electric field are continuous across the interface. 2) The normal component of the electric displacement field is continuous across the interface. 3) The normal component of the electric field is discontinuous across the interface according to the ratio of the dielectric constants.

Uploaded by

Zuha Fatima
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
You are on page 1/ 14

BOUNDARY CONDITIONS-I

Boundary Conditions
➢So far, we have considered the existence of the electric field in a
homogeneous medium

➢If the field exists in a region consisting of two different media,


the conditions that the field must satisfy at the interface
separating the media are called boundary conditions

➢These conditions are helpful in determining the field on one side


of the boundary if the field on the other side is known

➢The conditions will be dictated by the types of material the


media are made of
Boundary Conditions
➢To determine the boundary conditions, we need to use the
following two equations:

AND

➢Also we need to decompose the electric field intensity E into two


orthogonal components:

➢where Et and En are, respectively, the tangential and normal


components of E to the interface of interest

➢Similar decomposition can be done for the electric flux density D


Boundary Conditions

➢We shall consider the boundary conditions at an interface


separating:

I. Dielectric (𝜀𝑟1 ) and dielectric (𝜀𝑟2 )

II. Conductor and dielectric

III. Conductor and free space


Dielectric-Dielectric
➢Consider the E field existing in a region consisting of two
different dielectrics characterized by 𝜀1 = 𝜀𝑜 𝜀𝑟1 and 𝜀2 = 𝜀𝑜 𝜀𝑟2

➢E1 and E2 in media 1 and 2, respectively, can be decomposed as:


Dielectric-Dielectric
➢For the tangential components, we apply the line integral of E
equation to the closed path abcda shown in Figure

➢If the path is very small with respect to the variation of E, we


obtain:

➢Here 𝐸𝑡 = 𝐄𝐭 and 𝐸𝑛 = |𝐄𝐧 |

➢As ∆𝒉 → 𝟎, the above equation becomes:

➢Thus the tangential components of E are the same on the two


sides of the boundary
Dielectric-Dielectric
➢In other words, tangential component of E is said to be
continuous across the boundary

➢Since 𝐃 = 𝜀𝐄 = 𝐃𝑡 + 𝐃𝑛 , we have:

Or:

➢Therefore, tangential component of D is said to be discontinuous


across the interface
Dielectric-Dielectric
➢For normal components, we apply Gauss’s law equation to the
Gaussian surface shown in the figure by making ∆ℎ → 0

Or:

➢where 𝜌𝑠 is a free charge density placed at the boundary


Dielectric-Dielectric
➢The equation above assumes that D is directed from region 2 to
region 1 and so the equation must be applied accordingly
(negative sign)

➢If no free charges exist at the interface, then 𝜌𝑠 = 0 and the


equation becomes:

➢Thus the normal component of D is continuous across the


interface; that is, Dn undergoes no change at the boundary

➢Since 𝐃 = 𝜀𝐄, the above equation can be written as:

➢Hence, normal component of E is discontinuous at the boundary


Dielectric-Dielectric
➢The equations derived are collectively referred to as boundary
conditions

➢They must be satisfied by an electric field at the boundary


separating two different dielectrics

➢The boundary conditions are applied in finding the electric field


on one side of the boundary given the field on the other side

➢Besides this, we can use the boundary conditions to determine


the "refraction" of the electric field across the interface
Dielectric-Dielectric
➢Consider D1 or E1 and D2 or E2 making angles 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 with the
normal to the interface as illustrated in Figure below:
Dielectric-Dielectric
➢For the tangential components, we have:

Or:

➢Similarly, for the normal components, we have:

Or:

➢Dividing the above two equations, we get:


Dielectric-Dielectric
➢Since 𝜀1 = 𝜀𝑜 𝜀𝑟1 and 𝜀2 = 𝜀𝑜 𝜀𝑟2 , we have:

➢This is the law of refraction of the electric field at a boundary


free of charge (since 𝜌𝑠 = 0 is assumed at the interface)

➢Thus, in general, an interface between two dielectrics produces


bending of the flux lines as a result of unequal polarization
charges that accumulate on the sides of the interface
Problem-1
➢Given that 𝐄𝟏 = 10𝐚𝐱 − 6𝐚𝐲 + 12𝐚𝐳 V/m in the Figure below, find:
(a) P1 (b) E2 and the angle E2 makes with the y-axis.

You might also like