Deriving the local field and Clausius Mossotti formula in a dielectric

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the local field in a non-polar dielectric and the Clausius-Mossotti formula. It explains that the local field, denoted as E_{i}, is calculated by considering a spherical cavity and integrating contributions from external charges (E_{out}) and internal charges (E_{near}), with E_{near} being zero for regular distributions. The conclusion emphasizes that the local field is solely determined by E_{out}. Key references include Griffiths and Jackson for further understanding of these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dielectric materials and their properties
  • Familiarity with the Clausius-Mossotti formula
  • Knowledge of electric field concepts and charge distributions
  • Basic calculus for integration of charge distributions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Clausius-Mossotti formula in detail
  • Learn about the Lorentz field and its applications in dielectrics
  • Review Chapter 4 of "Classical Electrodynamics" by Jackson for advanced concepts
  • Explore the implications of volumetric bound charges in dielectric materials
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, material science, and electrical engineering, will benefit from this discussion.

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(My last https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=4424810#post4424810 post did not get much attention so I try again without all these formulae. Think this will be more clear...)

To derive the local field in a non-polar dielectric you assume a very small spherical cavity in which (since there is an applied field to it) you have made up surface charges. Integrating over those made up surface charges you get the Lorentz field from which you can derive the Clausius-Mosotti formula. My question is: when you integrate over those made up surface charges, why don't you also integrate over the real surface charges on the outside of the dielectric? Don't these two fields (made up and real) cancel each other?
 
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I think you're right, maybe the problem is that you found a simplified(or elemental) explanation that's why it doesn't make much sense. Here is how the real thing is: to calcculate the local field(E_{i}) you take,as you explained, a spherical cavity and next calculate the local field as a contribution of two parts 1)E_{out} due to all the charges that lie outside the sphere which includes all free charges and all bound charges which can lie not only on the external surface but could also be volumetric bound charges(div P≠0) 2) E_{near} due to charges inside the sphere and is demostrated to be zero for regular distributions so the result is:
E_{i}=E_{out}+E{near}=E_{out} and this is the desired result.
You can find a good explanation in Grifiths an also in Jackson
 
facenian said:
I think you're right, maybe the problem is that you found a simplified(or elemental) explanation that's why it doesn't make much sense. Here is how the real thing is: to calcculate the local field(E_{i}) you take,as you explained, a spherical cavity and next calculate the local field as a contribution of two parts 1)E_{out} due to all the charges that lie outside the sphere which includes all free charges and all bound charges which can lie not only on the external surface but could also be volumetric bound charges(div P≠0) 2) E_{near} due to charges inside the sphere and is demostrated to be zero for regular distributions so the result is:
E_{i}=E_{out}+E{near}=E_{out} and this is the desired result.
You can find a good explanation in Grifiths an also in Jackson

Thanks, that makes me more Confident that there is more to it. I don't Think I will read Jackson in a while (I know it is chapter 4), but when I do I will keep all this in mind.
 

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