Boundary Conditions - Cylinder in dielectric

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the boundary conditions for a cylinder in a dielectric medium, specifically addressing the equations governing electric fields and potentials. The boundary conditions established are E_{in}^{||} = E_{out}^{||} and D_{out}^{\perp} - D_{in}^{\perp} = \frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}. The potential inside the cylinder is expressed as V_{in} = a_1 r cos(\phi), while the potential outside is V_{out} = \frac{d_1}{r} cos(\phi). The discussion highlights a potential oversight in the formulation of V_{in}, suggesting it should include an additional term to account for the dielectric properties.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with boundary conditions in electromagnetic theory
  • Knowledge of potential theory in cylindrical coordinates
  • Concept of electric displacement field D in dielectric materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of boundary conditions in electromagnetic fields
  • Learn about potential functions in cylindrical coordinates
  • Explore the implications of dielectric materials on electric fields
  • Investigate the method of images for solving electrostatic problems
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in electrical engineering, physicists working with electromagnetic theory, and anyone involved in solving electrostatic problems in dielectric materials.

unscientific
Messages
1,728
Reaction score
13

Homework Statement



2ypkjkz.png


Part (a): List the boundary conditions
Part (b): Show the relation for potential is:
Part (c): Find Potential everywhere.
Part (d): With a surface charge, where does the Electric field disappear?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



Part (a)

Boundary conditions are:
E_{in}^{||} = E_{out}^{||}

D_{out}^{\perp} - D_{in}^{\perp} = \frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}

2jd3yae.png


Part (c)

First we find potential inside and outside.

1. For potential inside ##V_{in}##, it is finite when r = 0, so ##b_n = 0##. When r = 0, ##V_{in} = 0##, so ##a_0 = b_0 = 0##.

2. For potential outside ##V_{out}##, as r → ∞, ##V \propto \frac{1}{r}## (From part (b)). So only term n = 1 exists.

3. For n=1, and ##\phi = \frac{\pi}{2}##, ##V_{in} = V_{out} = 0##, so sine term goes away: ##c_n = 0##.

Now we have the two potentials:

V_{in} = a_1 r cos(\phi)
V_{out} = \frac{d_1}{r} cos(\phi)

Applying first boundary condition at r = a,

\frac{\partial V_{in}}{\partial \theta} = \frac{\partial V_{out}}{\partial \theta}

a_1 a^2 = d_1

Applying second boundary condition at r = a,

D_{out}^{\perp} = D_{in}^{\perp}
\epsilon_0 \frac{\partial V_{in}}{\partial r} = \frac{\partial V_{out}}{\partial r}
\epsilon_0 a_1 = -\frac{\epsilon d_1}{a^2}

Solving them, this implies ##\epsilon_0 + \epsilon = 0##, which doesn't make sense.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I've got a feeling that my potential inside is missing a term like the one in part (b): ##V = \frac{\lambda}{2\pi \epsilon_0}\frac{d cos \phi}{r}##

Because it shouldn't strictly depend only on ##cos \phi##?
 
I think the potential inside should be something like:

V_{in} = Ar cos \phi + \frac{B}{r^2}cos \phi

That should solve it.
 

Similar threads

Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
17
Views
4K