Electro-Magnetic Field Theory Module 1

Lecture Notes 22

Examples of Laplace Equations applications

Ex: Consider a case in cylindrical co-ordinates and assume the variation is only in  direction
laplace equation becomes.

1   v 
 0
    

Integrating
V = A ln  + B
The equipotential surfaces are given by  = constant & are cylinders. Considering a co-axial
capacitor & assuming v = vo at  = a & v = 0 at  = b b > a

Vo = A ln a + B
O = A ln a + B
B = - Aln b
 Vo = A ln a – A ln b
= A.ln (a/b)
Vo
 A =
ln( a / b)
Vo Vo
 V = . ln  - ln b
ln( a / b) ln(a / b)
Vo
= ln (/b)
ln( a / b)
ln   / b  ln  b /  
= Vo = Vo
ln  a / b  ln  b / a 
Now E = - V
v
=- ap
p
  ln(b / p ) 
=-  VO  ap
p  ln(b / a ) 
Vo 
=-= [ln b – ln P]
ln(b / a) p
Vo
= aρ
P ln(b / a)
Vo
DN (P = a) = aρ
a ln(b / a)
VO
Q =  ds
S a ln(b / a)

2 l  vo
=   ρddz
o o a ln(b / a)

B. I .Neelgar, ECE, SoE,DSU.

Electro-Magnetic Field Theory Module 1
Lecture Notes 22
 vO 2 al
=
a ln(b / a)
Q 2  l
C = =
Vo ln(b / a)
Example: Develop an expression for the potential difference at any point between spherical
shells in terms of the applied potential using Laplace equation. Let the boundary condition as
V=0 at r=b
V = VO at r=a b>a

Solution: Laplace equation for sp. Co-ordinate is

1   2 v 
2v = r 
r 2 r  r 
1   v 1  2v 
+ 2  sin   0
a b r sin     r 2 sin 2   2 

By symmetry the potential function depends upon radial distance ‘r’ alone.
1   2 dv 
Hence r 0
r 2 r  dr 
  2 dv 
0
dr  dr 
Is r

Integrity once
dv
r2 =A
dr
dv A
 
dr r 2
Integrity again
A
V= +B
r
Applying boundary conditions

V =0 at r=b
A
 0 =- +B
b
A
 B =
b
V = Vo at r=a

B. I .Neelgar, ECE, SoE,DSU.

Electro-Magnetic Field Theory Module 1
Lecture Notes 22
A
Vo = - +B
b
A A
=-  
a b
1 1 
=A   
b a 
VO
 A =
1 1

b a

VO V
 V =  O
1 1  1  1
r  
b a  b a
1 1
 ------------ (1)
V = VO r b
1 1

a b

Now
E = - v
v For the same problem show that E
=- ar is minimum
r 2v
 1 1 = O at surface as inner sphere
 a
  r b
 E = -   vo  ar if inner sphere has a radius half of
r  1  1  radius
 a b V ab
Vo  1 1  E= 2 O
=  ar r b  a 
1 1 r  r b 
 At r = a
a b
VO 1 VO ab VO b
= . ar E= =
1 1 r2
 r b  a 
2
a (b  a )
a b
At a = b/2
EVO
DN ( r = a ) =  E = ar = S
2 1 1
a    E=
VO b
a b a b  b / 2
 Q =   S ds VOb
S
=
 vO a(b / 2)
= 
S
r a 1 1
r 2 sin  d d
2v
a2    = o
a b a

B. I .Neelgar, ECE, SoE,DSU.

Electro-Magnetic Field Theory Module 1
Lecture Notes 22
 2  vo
=  
O O  1 1 
a 2 sin  d d
a2   
a b
2  vo 
1 1 0
= sin  d

a b
4  VO
=
1 1

a b
Q
 C =
VO

4 
C=
1 1

a b

B. I .Neelgar, ECE, SoE,DSU.