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3.1-3.2 Laplace - S Equation

Laplace's equation describes situations where conductors maintain a fixed potential or charge. It can be used to determine the electric potential in regions without charge by specifying the potential on boundaries. The potential is uniquely determined if the boundary conditions are known. For a point charge near an infinite grounded plane, the image charge method can be used to find the potential by introducing a fictitious equal but opposite charge that satisfies the boundary conditions.

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371 views15 pages

3.1-3.2 Laplace - S Equation

Laplace's equation describes situations where conductors maintain a fixed potential or charge. It can be used to determine the electric potential in regions without charge by specifying the potential on boundaries. The potential is uniquely determined if the boundary conditions are known. For a point charge near an infinite grounded plane, the image charge method can be used to find the potential by introducing a fictitious equal but opposite charge that satisfies the boundary conditions.

Uploaded by

Cargo86
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

3.

1 Laplace’s Equation
Common situation: Conductors in the system,
which are a at given potential V or
which carry a fixed amount of charge Q.

The surface charge distribution is not known.

We want to know the field in regions, where there


is no charge.

Reformulate the problem.


Laplace' s equation :  V  0 2

V V V
2 2 2
Cartesian coordinates  2  2  0.
x 2
y z

+ Boundary conditions. (e.g. over a surface V=const.)

Important in various branches of physics:


gravitation,
magnetism,
heat transportation,
soap bubbles (surface tension) …
fluid dynamics
One dimension

d 2V
2
0
dx
V ( x)  mx  b

Boundary conditions:
V (1)  4 and V (5)  0

or V (1)  4 and V ' (1)  1.


1
V ( x) is the average V ( x)  [V ( x  a)  V ( x  a)],
2
for any a.

V has no local minima or maxima.


Two Dimensions
 2V  2V
 2 0
x 2
y
Partial differential equation.
To determine the solution you must
fix V on the boundary – boundary condition.

V has no local minima or maxima Rubber membrane


inside the boundary. Soap film

A ball will roll to the boundary and out.


Three Dimensions
Partial differential equation.
V V V
2 2 2
To determine the solution you must
 2  2 0 fix V on the boundary, which is a surface,
x 2
y z
– boundary condition.

V has no local minima or maxima inside the boundary.

Earnshaw’s Theorem:
A charged particle cannot be held in a stable equilibrium
by electrostatic forces alone.
First Uniqueness Theorem
The solution to Laplace’s equation
in some volume V is uniquely
determined if V is specified on
the boundary surface S.

The potential in a volume V is uniquely determined if


a) the charge density in the region, and
b) the values of the potential on all boundaries are specified.
Second Uniqueness Theorem

In a volume surrounded by conductors and containing a specified


charge density, the electrical field is uniquely determined if the
charge on each conductor is given.
Image Charges
What is V above the plane?

 2V   q ( x ) ( y ) ( z  d ) /  0

Boundary conditions:

V  0 for x  , y  ,
z  , z  0

There is only one solution.


Image charge

1
V ( x, y , z )  [ q
 q
], z  0
4 0
2 2 2 2 2 2
x  y ( z d ) x  y ( z  d )

The region z<0 does not matter. There, V=0.


Induced surface charge:

V  qd
   0  ( x, y ) 
n 2 ( x 2  y 2  z 2 )3 / 2

Q   d  q

1 q Force exerted by
Force on q: F zˆ the image charge
4 0 (2d ) 2

0 1 q 2 Different
Energy: W   E d  
2
from W of
2 4 0 4d 2 charges!!
q  1  (1) k (1) k 
V (r )    2  
4 0  r k 1 x  y  ( z  2dk )
2 2
x  y  ( z  2dk ) 
2 2 2
Example 3.2

Find the potential outside the conducting grounded sphere.

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