31

2.8 Examples

we obtain t = 0.3 x lo3 seconds. Thus if the dome is charged at the rate of a current of 1
micro-ampere, it takes about 300 seconds for the potential to reach its maximal value.

Example 2.12: The cylindrical condenser

This condenser consists of two coaxial cylinders of height h and radii r1, ~ 2 ~ 7 ->2 7-1. The inner
cylinder carries charge q, the outer cylinder charge -4. What is the capacity of the condenser?

Solution: Clearly one uses cylindrical coordinates 0, p, z in order to exploit the cylindrical symmetry.

Fig. 2.12 The cylindrical condenser.

We consider a cylindrical surface of radius p where r2
Ee = E , = 0, E , = E . The Gauss law implies

> p > r1. In view of the cylindrical symmetry

so that

We thus obtain for the potential V:

and for the capacity

The finite cylindrical condenser can be approximated by a segment of a toroidal condenser, like
the parallel plate condenser can be approximated by a segment of the spherical condenser.

Example 2.13: The dipole

A dipole is generally defined as a system of two spatially separated charges +q, -4. Obviously
an infinitesimally imagined parallel plate condenser is of this form. We now want to obtain the
potential of such an arrangement of charges, and we shall define in this context the important
concept of a dipole moment.
Solution: We consider first two infinitesimal parallel plates with surface areas dF, dF, and
charge densities +u(r),-u(r), which are elements of surfaces S, S with charges +a,- 0 as
depicted in Fig. 2.13. The potential at the point P is given by

u(r)dF
+(r) = k / ___ - k /
Ir - rI

u(r)dF
Ir - r drl