- #1
maverick280857
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Hello
I have a query (Classical Electrodynamics) regarding Self Energy and Interaction Energy. I understand that the integral definition
[tex]U_{tot} = \frac{1}{2}\int_{all space}k\epsilon_{0}E^2d\tau = \frac{1}{2}\int Vdq[/tex]
represents the total electrostatic potential energy of a system and that this equals
[tex]q_{1}V_{12}[/tex] or [tex]q_{2}V_{21}[/tex] (for the discrete charge case).
What I want to know are the exact definitions of self energy and interaction energy of a system of charges (the discrete and continuous case) as I have not found convincing explanations in my textbook and on the internet yet. Is it true that
[tex]U_{self} = \int Vdq[/tex]
[tex]U_{int} = q_{1}V_{12} = q_{2}V_{21}[/tex]
I would be grateful if someone could help and/or offer links to specific references.
Thanks and cheers
Vivek
I have a query (Classical Electrodynamics) regarding Self Energy and Interaction Energy. I understand that the integral definition
[tex]U_{tot} = \frac{1}{2}\int_{all space}k\epsilon_{0}E^2d\tau = \frac{1}{2}\int Vdq[/tex]
represents the total electrostatic potential energy of a system and that this equals
[tex]q_{1}V_{12}[/tex] or [tex]q_{2}V_{21}[/tex] (for the discrete charge case).
What I want to know are the exact definitions of self energy and interaction energy of a system of charges (the discrete and continuous case) as I have not found convincing explanations in my textbook and on the internet yet. Is it true that
[tex]U_{self} = \int Vdq[/tex]
[tex]U_{int} = q_{1}V_{12} = q_{2}V_{21}[/tex]
I would be grateful if someone could help and/or offer links to specific references.
Thanks and cheers
Vivek