2.

6 Potential Energy of Charges in Electric Fields

23

Example 2.8: The Coulomb potential in space dimensions 1 and 2

What is the space dependence of the Coulomb potential in a world with one space dimension?
What is it in the case of 2 space dimensions?

Solution: We have

V . E = 4 n k p with E = -V4;hence in the case of

one space dimension

With the Greens function G ( z ) ,the solution is

The Greens function may be obtained by trial and error or, better, by contour integration which
will be explained later. The result is

as one can verify by differentiation. Thus it follows that in particular for p ( z ) = eb(z

- 20):

Such a linear potential is known as a confinement potential, since particles (like quarks) bound
together by such a potential cannot be separated with finite energy. (See also Example 18.5).
In the case of 2 space dimensions one can go to polar coordinates r , q ,so that

In a similar way one finds that

2.6

4 = const. Inr.

Potential Energy of Charges in Electric Fields

Let a charge q be moved from A to B against the field E. The work done in
this process is
B

W = - L qE(r).dr=q
rB

(2.14)
The minus sign indicates that the force exerted on the charge q is directed
opposite to the field E. The final result shows that the work done is independent of the path from A to B, that is, qE is a conservative field, i.e.

VxE=O.