Semester II, 2017-18

Department of Physics, IIT Kanpur

PHY103A: Lecture # 11
(Text Book: Intro to Electrodynamics by Griffiths, 3rd Ed.)

Anand Kumar Jha

24-Jan-2018
 Notes
• No Class on Friday; No office hour.

• HW # 4 has been posted

• Solutions to HW # 5 have been posted

2
Summary of Lecture # 10:
The potential in the region above the
infinite grounded conducting plane?
𝑞𝑞 1 1
V 𝐫𝐫 = −
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 x 2 + y 2 + (z − d)2 x 2 + y 2 + (z + d)2

The potential outside the grounded

conducting sphere?
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅2
𝑞𝑞′ = − 𝑞𝑞 𝑏𝑏 =
𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎

1 𝑞𝑞 𝑞𝑞′
V 𝐫𝐫 = +
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r r′

3
Question:
The potential in the region above the
infinite grounded conducting plane?
𝑞𝑞 1 1
V 𝐫𝐫 = −
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 x 2 + y 2 + (z − d)2 x 2 + y 2 + (z + d)2

Q: Is kV 𝐫𝐫 also a solution, where k is a constant?

Ans: No

Corollary to First Uniqueness Theorem: The potential in a volume

is uniquely determined if (a) the charge desity throughout the
region and (b) the value of V at all boundaries, are specified.

In this case one has to satisfy the Poisson’s 𝜌𝜌

𝛁𝛁2 V1 = −
equation. But kV 𝐫𝐫 does not satisfy it. 𝜖𝜖0

Exception: Only when 𝜌𝜌 = 0 (everywhere), kV 𝐫𝐫 can be a solution as well

But then since in this case V 𝐫𝐫 = 𝟎𝟎, it is a trivial solution.
4
Multipole Expansion (Potentials at large distances)
• What is the potential due to a point charge (monopole)?
1 𝑞𝑞 (goes like 𝟏𝟏/𝒓𝒓)
V 𝐫𝐫 =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟

• What is the potential due to a dipole at large distance?

1 𝑞𝑞 𝑞𝑞
V 𝐫𝐫 = −
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r+ r−
2
𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑 2
2 2
r± = 𝑟𝑟 + ∓ 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟cos𝜃𝜃 = 𝑟𝑟 2 1 ∓ cos𝜃𝜃 + 2
2 𝑟𝑟 4𝑟𝑟
𝑑𝑑
≈ 𝑟𝑟 2 1 ∓ cos𝜃𝜃 (for 𝑟𝑟 ≫ 𝑑𝑑)
𝑟𝑟
for 𝑟𝑟 ≫ 𝑑𝑑, and using binomial expansion
1
−2
1 1 𝑑𝑑 1 𝑑𝑑 1 1 𝑑𝑑
= 1 ∓ cos𝜃𝜃 ≈ 1 ± cos𝜃𝜃 So, − = 2 cos𝜃𝜃
r± 𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 2𝑟𝑟 r+ r− 𝑟𝑟
1 𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞cos𝜃𝜃
V 𝐫𝐫 = (goes like 𝟏𝟏/𝒓𝒓𝟐𝟐 at large 𝒓𝒓) 5
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
Multipole Expansion (Potentials at large distances)
• What is the potential due to a quadrupole at large distance?

(goes like 𝟏𝟏/𝒓𝒓𝟑𝟑 at large 𝒓𝒓)

• What is the potential due to a octopole at large distance?

(goes like 𝟏𝟏/𝒓𝒓𝟒𝟒 at large 𝒓𝒓)

Note1: Multipole terms are defined in terms of their 𝒓𝒓 dependence, not in

terms of the number of charges.

Note 2: The dipole potential need not be produced by a two-charge system only . A
general 𝑛𝑛-charge system can have any multipole contribution. 6
Multipole Expansion (Potentials at large distances)
• What is the potential due to a
localized charge distribution?
1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 𝜌𝜌(𝐫𝐫 ′ ) ′
V(𝐫𝐫) = � = � 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
Using the cosine rule,
r2 = 𝑟𝑟 2 + 𝑟𝑟𝑟2 − 2𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟cos𝛼𝛼
2
𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′
r2 = 𝑟𝑟 2 1+ −2 cos𝛼𝛼
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 Source coordinates: (𝑟𝑟 ′ , 𝜃𝜃 ′ , 𝜙𝜙 ′ )
𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′ Observation point coordinates: (𝑟𝑟, 𝜃𝜃, 𝜙𝜙)
r = 𝑟𝑟 1+ − 2cos𝛼𝛼
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 Angle between 𝐫𝐫 and 𝐫𝐫′: 𝛼𝛼

r = 𝑟𝑟 1 + 𝜖𝜖 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′
Define: 𝜖𝜖 ≡ − 2cos𝛼𝛼
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟
1 1
So, = 1 + 𝜖𝜖 −1/2
r 𝑟𝑟
1 1 1 3 2 5 3
Or, = 1 − 𝜖𝜖 + 𝜖𝜖 − 𝜖𝜖 + ⋯ (using binomial expansion) 7
r 𝑟𝑟 2 8 16
Multipole Expansion (Potentials at large distances)
• What is the potential due to a
localized charge distribution?
1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 𝜌𝜌(𝐫𝐫 ′ ) ′
V(𝐫𝐫) = � = � 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r

1 1 1 3 2 5 3
= 1 − 𝜖𝜖 + 𝜖𝜖 − 𝜖𝜖 + ⋯
r 𝑟𝑟 2 8 16

2 2 3 3
1 1 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′ 3 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′ 5 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′
= 1− − 2cos𝛼𝛼 + − 2cos𝛼𝛼 − − 2cos𝛼𝛼 +⋯
𝑟𝑟 2 𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 8 𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 16 𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟

2 3
1 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑟𝑟 ′
= 1+ cos𝛼𝛼 + 3cos 2 𝛼𝛼 − 1 /2 − 5cos3 𝛼𝛼 − 3cos𝛼𝛼 /2 + ⋯
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟
∞ 𝑛𝑛
1 𝑟𝑟 ′
= � 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 (cos𝛼𝛼) 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 (cos𝛼𝛼) are Legendre polynomials
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟
𝑛𝑛=0
∞
1 𝜌𝜌(𝐫𝐫 ′ ) ′ 1 1
V(𝐫𝐫) = � 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 = � 𝑛𝑛+1 � 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑛𝑛 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 (cos𝛼𝛼)𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 8
𝑛𝑛=0
Multipole Expansion (Potentials at large distances)
• What is the potential due to a
localized charge distribution?
1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 𝜌𝜌(𝐫𝐫 ′ ) ′
V(𝐫𝐫) = � = � 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r

∞
1 1
V(𝐫𝐫) = � 𝑛𝑛+1 � 𝑟𝑟 ′ 𝑛𝑛 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 (cos𝛼𝛼)𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟
𝑛𝑛=0

1 ′ ′ 1 ′ (cos𝛼𝛼)𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ 1 ′ 2
3 1
= � 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 + � 𝑟𝑟 + � 𝑟𝑟 cos 2 𝛼𝛼 − 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 3 2 2
+⋯

Monopole potential Dipole potential Quadrupole potential

( 1/𝑟𝑟 dependence) ( 1/𝑟𝑟 2 dependence) ( 1/𝑟𝑟 3 dependence)

Multipole Expansion of 𝐕𝐕(𝐫𝐫)

9
 Multipole Expansion (Few comments)
V 𝐫𝐫
1 1 1 3 1
= ′
� 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ +
2
′ ′
� 𝑟𝑟 (cos𝛼𝛼)𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ +
3 � 𝑟𝑟 ′ 2 2
cos 𝛼𝛼 − 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 2
+⋯

Monopole potential Dipole potential Quadrupole potential

( 1/𝑟𝑟 dependence) ( 1/𝑟𝑟 2 dependence) ( 1/𝑟𝑟 3 dependence)

• It is an exact expression, not an approximation.

• A particular term in the expansion is defined by its 𝒓𝒓 dependence

• At large 𝒓𝒓, the potential can be approximated by the first non-zero term.

• More terms can be added if greater accuracy is required

10
Questions 1:

Q: In this following configuration, is the “large 𝐫𝐫” limit

valid, since the source dimensions are much smaller than 𝐫𝐫?

Ans: No. The “large 𝐫𝐫” limit essentially mean 𝐫𝐫 ≫ |𝐫𝐫′|.

In majority of the situations, the charge distribution is
centered at the origin and therefore the “large 𝐫𝐫” limit is
the same as source dimension being smaller than 𝐫𝐫.

11
Multipole Expansion (Monopole and Dipole terms)

Monopole term: • 𝑄𝑄 = ∫ 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ is the total charge

1 1 ′ ′=
1 𝑄𝑄 • If 𝑄𝑄 = 0, monopole term is zero.
Vmono 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 • For a collection of point charges
𝑛𝑛

𝑄𝑄 = � 𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖
𝑖𝑖=1

Dipole term:
1 1 ′ ′ ′
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝑟𝑟 (cos𝛼𝛼)𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 • 𝐩𝐩 ≡ ∫ 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ is called the dipole
𝛼𝛼 is the angle between 𝐫𝐫 and 𝐫𝐫′. moment of a charge distribution
So, 𝑟𝑟 ′ cos𝛼𝛼 = 𝐫𝐫� ⋅ 𝐫𝐫𝐫 • If 𝐩𝐩 = 0, dipole term is zero.
1 1 ′ 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = �
𝐫𝐫 ⋅ � 𝐫𝐫 • For a collection of point charges.
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 𝑛𝑛

1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫� 𝐩𝐩 = � 𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐢 ′𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖

Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = 𝑖𝑖=1
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 12
Multipole Expansion (Monopole and Dipole terms)
Monopole term:
𝑛𝑛
1 1 1 𝑄𝑄 (for point
Vmono 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ → 𝑄𝑄 = � 𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 charges)
𝑖𝑖=1
Dipole term:
𝑛𝑛
1 1 ′ ′ ′
�
1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫 (for point
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝑟𝑟 (cos𝛼𝛼)𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 → 2 𝐩𝐩 = � 𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐢 ′𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 charges)
𝑖𝑖=1

Example: A three-charge system

𝑛𝑛

𝑄𝑄 = � 𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖 = −𝑞𝑞
𝑖𝑖=1
𝑛𝑛

𝐩𝐩 = � 𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐢 ′𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖 = 𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 𝒛𝒛� + −𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 − 𝑞𝑞 −𝑎𝑎 𝒚𝒚

� = 𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 𝒛𝒛�
𝑖𝑖=1

Therefore the system will have both monopole and dipole contributions
13
Multipole Expansion (Monopole and Dipole terms)
Monopole term:
𝑛𝑛
1 1 1 𝑄𝑄 (for point
Vmono 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ → 𝑄𝑄 = � 𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 charges)
𝑖𝑖=1
Dipole term:
𝑛𝑛
1 1 ′ ′ ′
�
1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫 (for point
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝑟𝑟 (cos𝛼𝛼)𝜌𝜌 𝐫𝐫 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 → 2 𝐩𝐩 = � 𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐢 ′𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 charges)
𝑖𝑖=1

Example: Origin of Coordinates

1 𝑞𝑞 1 𝑞𝑞 1 𝑞𝑞
𝑄𝑄 = 𝑞𝑞 Vmono 𝐫𝐫 = 𝑄𝑄 = 𝑞𝑞 Vmono 𝐫𝐫 = ≠
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
𝐩𝐩 = 0 Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = 0 �
𝐩𝐩 = 𝑞𝑞𝑑𝑑𝒚𝒚 1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫�
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
14
Questions 2:
1 𝑞𝑞 1 𝑞𝑞
𝑄𝑄 = 𝑞𝑞 Vmono 𝐫𝐫 = ≠
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
�
𝐩𝐩 = 𝑞𝑞𝑑𝑑𝒚𝒚 1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫�
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
Q: Why not calculate the potential directly ??
Ans: Yes, that is what should be done. For a point charge, we don’t need a multipole
expansion to find the potential. This is only for illustrating the connection.

15
The electric field of pure dipole ( 𝑸𝑸 = 𝟎𝟎 )

𝑄𝑄 = 0 And 𝐩𝐩 ≠ 0 Assume 𝐩𝐩 = 𝑝𝑝𝐳𝐳�

1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫� 1 𝑝𝑝𝐳𝐳� ⋅ 𝐫𝐫� 1 𝑝𝑝cos𝜃𝜃

Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = = =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2

𝐄𝐄 𝐫𝐫 = −𝛁𝛁V

𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 2𝑝𝑝cos𝜃𝜃 𝑝𝑝
𝐸𝐸𝑟𝑟 = − = 𝐄𝐄dip 𝐫𝐫 = (2cos𝜃𝜃 𝐫𝐫� + sin𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃̂)
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 3 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 3

1 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑝𝑝sin𝜃𝜃
𝐸𝐸𝜃𝜃 = − =
𝑟𝑟 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 3

1 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
𝐸𝐸𝜙𝜙 = − =0
𝑟𝑟sin𝜃𝜃 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

16