Electric field-boundary conditions question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the boundary conditions of electric fields at the interface of two lossy homogeneous dielectric media with dielectric constants ϵr1 = 2 and ϵr2 = 3, and conductivities σ1 = 15 mS/m and σ2 = 10 mS/m. The user questions the surface charge density at the interface, asserting it should be zero due to both media being dielectric. However, the solution manual indicates that the electric field is discontinuous across the boundary, leading to a non-zero surface polarization charge density σp, which can be computed using the equation D1n - D2n = Ps.

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  • Understanding of dielectric materials and their properties
  • Familiarity with electric flux density (D) and its components
  • Knowledge of Gauss' law and its application in electrostatics
  • Basic concepts of surface charge density and polarization charge density
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  • Study the derivation of boundary conditions for electric fields in dielectric materials
  • Learn how to calculate surface charge density using the equation D1n - D2n = Ps
  • Explore the implications of discontinuities in electric fields across material boundaries
  • Investigate the effects of conductivity on electric fields in lossy dielectrics
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Abdulwahab Hajar
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Homework Statement


Two lossy homogeneous dielectric media with dielectric constans ϵrl = 2, ϵr2 = 3 and conductivities a1= 15 (mS), σ2 = 10 (ms) are in contact at the z = 0 plane. in the Z>0 region a uniform electric field E1 = 20i - 50k
exists (i and k being unit vectors in the x and z directions)..
Ok so my question is this in one of the parts of the question it asks for the surface charge density on the interface, however since both media are dielectric shouldn't the surface charge density be 0 according to the boundary conditions of electric fields

Homework Equations


D1n - D2n = Ps (surface charge density)
where D1n - D2n are the normal components of the electric flux densities of media 1 and 2 respectively

The Attempt at a Solution


the way I see it, and according to what is stated in the textbook Ps should be 0, however the solution manual states differently
 
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## \nabla \cdot D=\rho_{free} ## gives (by Gauss' law) ## \int D \cdot \, dA =Q_{free} =0 ## because there is no free electrical charge. The ## D ## integral gives ## -\epsilon_1 E_1+\epsilon_2 E_2=0 ## This means that the electric field is discontinuous across the boundary. They are apparently providing you with the value of ## E_1 ##. From the equation ## \int E \cdot \, dA=\frac{Q_{total}}{\epsilon_o}=\frac{Q_p}{\epsilon_o} ## (since ## Q_{total}=Q_{free}+Q_p ## with ## Q_{free}=0 ##), you should be able to compute the surface polarization charge density ## \sigma_p ##. They don't supply any units on the electric field ## E_1 ## but I would presume you can assume units of Newtons/Coulomb=Volts/meter.
 
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