Electromagnetics - Surface Charge Density

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the surface charge density of a conducting sphere using boundary conditions and Gauss's law. The potential at the surface of the sphere is defined as Φ(R) = Φ₀, with Φ₀ being a specified constant, and the potential at infinity as Φ(∞) = E₀r cos(θ). The normal component of the electric field is derived from these boundary conditions, leading to the conclusion that the sphere behaves as a dipole, which is crucial for understanding charge distribution in electrostatics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and potentials in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with boundary conditions in electromagnetic theory
  • Knowledge of Gauss's law and its application to charge distributions
  • Basic proficiency in mathematical notation, including LaTeX for equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Gauss's law to various geometries, particularly conductors
  • Learn about boundary value problems in electrostatics
  • Explore the concept of dipoles and their electric fields in detail
  • Review the mathematical formulation of electric potential and field using LaTeX
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those specializing in electromagnetics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the behavior of electric fields around conductors.

BigD959919
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I answered my own question but thank you for the help.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I can't read your equations because you're not using LaTeX, but the general way to approach this would be to solve for the electric field at the surface of the sphere (only the normal component is non-vanishing, because it is a conductor) by first writing down boundary conditions on the potential, and then solving for the potential and finding the field from this.

Since the sphere is a conductor, it's surface forms and equipotential, so let the radius of the sphere be R, then you have two boundary conditions:

\Phi(R) = \Phi_{0} where \Phi_{0} is some constant which must be specified in the problem, if the sphere is grounded then it is zero. The other B.C. is:

\Phi(\infinity) = E_{0}r\cos(\theta) this comes from the fact that at infinity the field behaves as if the sphere isn't there.

This is enough to get the potential, and the field at the surface. Once you have these things, then use gauss's law:

\nabla*E = \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_{0}}

to find the charge distribution.

(hint: You'll find that the sphere produces a dipole)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K