Fall 2023 Homework 5

PH 531: Electromagnetic Theory I

1. A capacitor is formed by the infinite grounded plane z = 0 and an infinite, solid, conducting cone with
interior angle π/4 held at potential V . A tiny insulating spot at the cone vertex (the origin of coordinates)
isolates the two conductors.
(a) Explain why Φ(r, θ, ϕ) = Φ(θ) in the space between the capacitor “plates”.

(b) From the Laplace’s equation, find the potential between the “plates”.

2. Jackson 2.13(a). Instead of the given expression, just show that

∞
V1 + V2 2(V1 − V2 ) X 1  ρ 2k+1
Φ(ρ, ϕ) = + sin[(2k + 1)ϕ]. (1)
2 π 2k + 1 b
k=0

In the above, ϕ is the angle measured from the reference plane through both gaps (notice this is different
from the choice of reference Jackson defined in his question). From the above expression to the one in
Jackson requires only some mathematical tricks, but you are not required to show (You are welcome to do
so if you are up for the challenge!).

3. Jackson 2.23. For (b), use Mathematica to perform the numerical sum. The command is NSum, see
reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/NSum.html. Attach your Mathematica code.

4. Jackson 3.1.