Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Department of Physics
Subject: Electromagnetism (PH21203/PH21209)
Assignment 4

1. (a) A sphere of linear dielectric material has embeded in it a uniform free charge density
ρ. Find potential at the center relative to the infinity. The radius of the sphere is R and the
dielectric constant is ϵr .
(b) A spherical conductor of radius R carries a charge Q. It is surrounded by a dielectric
material of susceptibility χe . The new radius becomes R1 (> R). Find the energy of the
configuration.
(c) A point charge is embedded at the center of a spherical dielectric material of radius R and
susceptibility χe .
(i) Find the electric field at r(< R) .
(ii) Find the polarization at r(< R) .
(iii)Find ρb and σb .
(iv) What is the bound charge (Qbs ) at surface.
(v) Where the corresponding negative bound charge (Qbv ) is located ?

2. The potential at any point (r, θ) outside the conducting sphere of radius R is given as,
Φ(r, θ) = −E0 cos θ(r − R3 /r2 ), where E0 is constant.
(i) Find surface charge density.
(ii) Find the total charge on the sphere.

3. The potential inside a dielectric sphere of radius R and permittivity ϵ is given as, Φ(r, θ) =
Arθ, where A is constant.
(i) Find bound volume charge density (ρb ).
(ii) Find bound surface charge density (σb ).
4. The potential on the surface of a spherical shell with radius R is given by,
Φ(θ) = Φ0 cos2 θ, where Φ0 is constant. Using Laplace’s equation,
(i) Find Φ(r, θ) for r < R.
(ii) Find Φ(r, θ) for r > R.

5. A parallel plate capacitor has its plates at x = 0 and x = d and the space between the
plates is filled with permittivity ϵ = ϵ0 (1 + x/d). If the potential of the plate at x = d is ϕ0
and other plate is grounded, then find
⃗
(i) ϕ and E
(ii) P⃗
(iii) Bound surface charge σbs at x = 0, d
(iv) The capacitance C, assuming the plate area as S.