PH 103 : Electricity and Magnetism

Tutorial Sheet 5 : Solution to Laplaces equation

1. A conducting sphere of radius R has a charge Q on its surface. Use Laplaces equation
to find the potential everywhere in space and also determine the charge density on the
surface of the sphere. [Ans. Vout = V0rR , whereV0 = Q/40 R, Vin = V0 ]
2. Sphere of radius a, kept at a constant potential V0 and a concentric shell of radius b
(b > a) kept at a potential V = 0. Find the potential in the region a < r < b. [Ans.


a
V (a < r < b) = ba
V0 rb 1 ]
3. The potential on the surface of a sphere of radius R is given by V () = V0 cos . Find the
potential inside and outside the sphere as well as the surface charge density on the sphere.
2
Assume that there are no charges inside or outside the sphere. [Ans. Vout = V0rR2 cos ,
Vin = VR0 r cos ]
4. Two semi-infinite grounded metal plates lie parallel to the xz plane, one at y = 0 and the
other at y = . The end at x = 0 is closed off with an infinite strip insulated from the
two plates and maintained at a constatn potential V0 . Find the potential in the region
nx
P
between the plates.[Ans. V (x, y) = 4V0 n=1,3,5... e sin(ny)
]
n

5. Two infinitely long grounded metal plates at y = 0 and y = a are connected at x = b

by metal strips maintained at a constant potential V0 . A thin layer of insulation at each
corner prevents the plates from shorting out. Find the potential inside the resulting
rectangular pipe.
6. A spherical shell of radius R is kept at a constant potential V0 sin2 2 . Find the potential
2
0R
0R
(a) outside (r > R) (b) inside (r < R) the shell. [Ans. Vout = V2r
V2r
2 cos , Vin =
V0
0R
V2r
cos ]
2
Find the
~ = E0 k.
7. A sphere of radius R (earthed), is kept in a uniform electric field E
3
potential for r > R. [Ans. V (r, ) = E0 (r Rr2 )cos]
8. A spherical shell of radius R has a charge density () = 0 cos . Find the resulting
0
0 R 3
potential inside and outside the shell. [Ans. Vin (r, ) = 3
r cos , Vout (r, ) = 3
2 cos ]
0
0r
9. A thin (negligible thickness) spherical shell of radius R carries a surface charge density


() = 0 cos + cos2 .
Using solutions of Laplaces equation, find the potential V (r, ) everywhere; r > R and


2
0 R3
20 R4 3
1
2
cos
+
cos

]
r < R. [Ans. Vout (r, ) = 30 R0 r + 3
2
3
150 r
2
2
0r