What are the bound charges of a polarized dielectric cube with no free charges?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the bound charges of a permanently polarized dielectric cube with a polarization defined as \(\vec{P} = c \vec{r}\). The surface bound charge density is determined to be \(\sigma_b = 6 \sigma_{b, oneside}\), resulting in a net bound surface charge of \(\frac{3}{4} a^3 c\). The volume bound charge density is derived using the equation \(\rho_b = -\nabla \cdot \vec{P}\), but the user encounters difficulties in the integration process over the cube's volume. Clarifications on the divergence operator and proper notation are also discussed.

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SonOfOle
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Homework Statement


Consider a permanently polarized dielectric cube with the origin of the coordinates at the center of the cube. The cube has a side of length a. The permanent polarization of the dielectric is \vec{P} = c \vec{r}. The vector \vec{r} is the radius vector from the origin of the coordinates to the point \vec{r} (x,y,z). There are no free charges on the system. Compute the bound charges of the system.


Homework Equations


\sigma_b=\vec{P} \bullet \hat{n}
\rho_b=-\nabla \bullet \vec{P}


The Attempt at a Solution


We can see by symmetry that \sigma_b = 6 \sigma_{b, oneside}, and also that
c\vec{r} \bullet \hat{n}=a/2 for each face of the cube, so the net bound surface charge is \frac{3}{4} a^3 c.

Assuming the above checks out, the bound volume charge is where I run into difficulty.

I think something is wrong with the below set-up, but please let me know. Thanks.

\rho_b=-\nabla \bullet \vec{P}
-\nabla \bullet (c \vec{r})=-\nabla \bullet (c \sqrt{x^2+y^2+x^2}) = \frac{x+y+z}{\sqrt{x^2+y^2+x^2}} which you would then integrate over the volume for dxdydz (each going from -a/2 to +a/2).
 
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SonOfOle said:
I think something is wrong with the below set-up, but please let me know. Thanks.

\rho_b=-\nabla \bullet \vec{P}
-\nabla \bullet (c \vec{r})=-\nabla \bullet (c \sqrt{x^2+y^2+x^2}) = \frac{x+y+z}{\sqrt{x^2+y^2+x^2}}

Hi SonOfOle! :smile:

(use \cdot instead of \bullet :wink:)

\nabla \cdot \vec{r}\ =\ \nabla \cdot (x,y,z)\ = … ? :smile:
 
Last edited:

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