Module – III : CONDUCTORS, DIELECTRICS AND CAPACITANCE

3.1 Current and current density, Ohms Law in Point form, Continuity of
current
3.2 Boundary conditions of perfect dielectric materials - Permittivity of
dielectric materials
3.3 Capacitance, Capacitance of a two wire line

3.4 Poisson’s equation and Laplace’s equation, Application of

Laplace’s and Poisson’s equations.
3.5 Solution of Laplace and Poisson’s equation
 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

• We have determined the electric field 𝐸 in a region using Coulomb’s law or
Gauss law when the charge distribution is specified in the region or using the
relation 𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉 when the potential V is specified throughout the region.
 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

• However, in practical cases, neither the charge distribution nor the potential
distribution is specified only at some boundaries.
• These type of problems are known as electrostatic boundary value problems.
For these type of problems, the field and the potential V are determined by
using Poisson’s equation or Laplace’s equation.
• Laplace’s equation is the special case of Poisson’s equation.
 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

• For the Linear material Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation can be easily derived
from Gauss’s equation

•But,
•Putting the value of 𝐷 in Gauss Law,
•From homogeneous medium for which ∈ is a constant, we write
•Also,
Then the previous equation becomes, (or)
 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

• This equation is known as Poisson’s equation which state that the potential
distribution in a region depend on the local charge distribution.
• In many boundary value problems, the charge distribution is involved on the
surface of the conductor for which the free volume charge density is zero, i.e.,
ƍ=0. In that case, Poisson’s equation reduces to,

This equation is known as Laplace’s equation.

 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

For cartesian coordinates,

For cylindrical coordinates,

For spherical coordinates,

 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Applications of Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Using Laplace or Poisson’s equation we can obtain:
1. Potential at any point in between two surface when potential at two surface
are given.
2. We can also obtain capacitance between these two surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=NukEwdJtCfk
 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Problem - 1
Let 𝑉 = 2𝑥𝑦3𝑧3and ∈=∈0. Given point P(1,3,-1).Find V at point P. Also Find V
satisfies Laplace equation.
Solution:
𝑉 = 2𝑥𝑦3𝑧3
V(1,3,-1) = 2*1*32(−1)3
= -18 volt
Laplace equation in Cartesian system is

Differentiating given V,
 
= 2𝑦2𝑧3
 3.4 - Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation

Solution:

 
= 4𝑥𝑦𝑧3
 
= 6𝑥𝑦2𝑧2
Adding double differentiating terms,

Thus given V does not satisfy Laplace equation