Electromagnetic field Theory

BS (Telecom/Electronics)
BSc. Engg. Technology (Electrical)

Semester: 6th
Credit Hours : 3
Sahib Noor

Department of Computer Science & IT 1

Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar
 CHAPTER 3
Static Electric Field
Lecture # 23 & 24
WEEK 12

Department of Computer Science & IT 2

Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar
 MAIN TOPICS

• Poisson’s & Laplace’s Eqs.

• Uniqueness Theorems.
• Method of Images.
• Example

Reference: Engineering Electromagnetics, 6th Edi.

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By William H. Hayt
 2nd Order Differential
Poisson’s and Laplace Equation.
 The postulates of Electrostatics: 𝛻 • 𝐷 = 𝜌 & 𝛻 × 𝐸 = 0
 As the curl free vector 𝐸 can be written as: 𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉, Where Vis
the electrostatic Potential.
 Also 𝐷 = 𝜀𝐸 Then 𝛻 • 𝐷 = 𝜌 ⟹ 𝛻 • 𝜀𝐸 = 𝜌
 By inserting the value of 𝐸, Then
 𝛻 • 𝜀(−𝛻𝑉) = 𝜌
 For isotropic medium
 𝛻 2 • 𝑉 = 𝜌/ 𝜀 (Poisson’s Equation)
 𝛻 2 ( del Square) is Laplacian Operator, and pronounce as the
divergence of gradient of 𝑉.
 A point in simple medium where there is no free charge, 𝜌 = 0,
 𝛻2 • 𝑉 = 0 (Laplace’s Equation)
 This equation is useful for problems involving set of conductors.
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 2nd Order Differential
Poisson’s and Laplace Equation.
 The Solution of Poisson’s or Laplace equation in 3D for a given
boundary condition is not an easy task.
 Laplacian of a function V in 3 Coordinates Systems:
 Cartesian Coordinates:

 Cylindrical Coordinates:

 Spherical Coordinates:

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 Example
Find potential at any point b/w two parallel plates having
potential 𝟎 & 𝑽𝒐 separated by 𝒅.

Sol:
 As there is no free charges at Plates surface:
 So we can use 𝛻 2 • 𝑉 = 0
 Integrating w.r.t 𝒚
𝒅𝑽
 = 𝑪𝟏 and
𝒅𝒚
 Applying the Boundary conditions:

 𝑪𝟏 = 𝑽𝒐/𝒅 & 𝑪𝟐 = 𝟎
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 1st Uniqueness
Theorem
Uniqueness of Electrostatic Solutions
 The Solution of Poisson’s or Laplace equations that satisfies the
given boundary conditions is a unique solution.
 This statement is called the uniqueness theorem.
 Consider a region and its boundary as shown in fig.
 We suppose the there are two solutions of the Laplace's equation:
• 𝛻 2 • 𝑉1 = 0 & 𝛻 2 • 𝑉2 = 0
• (𝑉1 & 𝑉2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠)
 We define 𝑉3 : 𝑉3 = 𝑉2 − 𝑉1
 ⟹ 𝛻 2 •𝑉3 = 𝛻 2 • 𝑉2 − 𝛻 2 • 𝑉1
 𝛻 2 • 𝑉3 = 0 Which means 𝑉3 is also solution.
 So 𝑉3 must be zero. 𝑉3 = 0
 ⟹ 𝑉2 = 𝑉1

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 Method of Images
Replacing Bound Surfaces by Appropriate Image Charges
 Sometimes in electrostatics, problems with some boundary
conditions that satisfy the Poisson’s & Laplace equations, is
difficult to solve directly.
 The conditions on the bounding surfaces in these problems can be
set up by appropriate image charges and the potential can the be
calculated in a straightforward manner.
 Consider a point charge 𝑞 placed at distance 𝑑 above an infinite
grounded conducting plane.
 What is the potential in region above the plane?
 The answer is not just (1/4𝜋𝜀𝑜 )𝑞/𝑟
 Some charge will be induced on nearby surface.
 So the potential at point will be due to both:
 But we do not know how charge is distributed.
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 Method of Images
Replacing Bound Surfaces by Appropriate Image Charges

 A completely different situation from above problem.

 Two point charges 𝑞(0,0, 𝑑) & − 𝑞(0,0, −𝑑), shown in the fig.
below.

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 Method of Images
Replacing Bound Surfaces by Appropriate Image Charges
 The potential for this configuration is:

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 Lecture
Sum Up
 We have discussed
• Poisson’s & Laplace Equation
• Uniqueness Theorem
• Method of Images

 In Next lecture:
• Steady Current, Ohm’s & Kirchhoff's laws

 Contact me at:
• Sahib.csit@suit.edu.pk
Thanks
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