Integral of electric field of dipole moment over a sphere at r = 0

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The integral of the electric field of a dipole moment over a sphere at r = 0 results in -4π/3, as derived from the equation ∫_V E dV = -∫_F (p·e_r/r²)e_r r² dΩ. The confusion arises when comparing this result to the electric field of the dipole derived from the gradient of the potential, where Greiner adds +4π/3 δ(r). This discrepancy highlights the importance of correctly interpreting the signs in vector calculus and the behavior of dipole fields at singular points.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector calculus, specifically divergence and gradient operations.
  • Familiarity with electric fields and dipole moments in electrostatics.
  • Knowledge of solid angle integration in spherical coordinates.
  • Proficiency in handling Dirac delta functions in physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of electric fields from dipole moments in classical electrodynamics.
  • Learn about the properties and applications of Dirac delta functions in physics.
  • Explore the mathematical techniques for integrating over solid angles in spherical coordinates.
  • Investigate the implications of singularities in electric field calculations and their physical interpretations.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, vector calculus, and electrostatics. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of dipole fields and their mathematical representations.

rafaelpol
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Can't get to the final equality ( integral = - 4*Pi/3).

Homework Equations


<br /> \int_V \mathbf{E }dV = - \int_F \frac{_{\mathbf{p}.\mathbf{e_{r}}}}{r^2}\mathbf{e_{r}}r^{2}d\Omega = \mathbf{p}\frac{-4\pi }{3} <br />

The Attempt at a Solution



Can't find how to get -4Pi/3. In the way I am doing the r^2 would cancel out, the unit radial vectors would multiply each other to give one, and since p is the dipole moment vector and is constant in the problem (two point charges), it would get out of the integral. The integral over the solid angle d(omega) would then be equal to 4*Pi, and the answer would p*4Pi. Something is wrong here and I don't know what. Can anyone help?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi rafaelpol! :smile:

(have a pi: π and an omega: Ω and an integral: ∫ and try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)
rafaelpol said:
… the unit radial vectors would multiply each other to give one

nooo … you can't do that :redface:

it's not er.er :wink:
 
Thanks. I've got the correct result now. However, when this result is added to the Electric field of the dipole computed by the grad of the potential, instead of adding -4*Pi/3 *delta(r) Greiner adds +4*Pi/3 *delta(r). Why, is that? It seems to be a contradiction since if you integrate over a sphere with small radius, you should get -4*Pi/3 (as given by the integral in the above post) and not 4*Pi/3.

Thanks
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
879
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
955
Replies
4
Views
5K