Semester II, 2017-18

Department of Physics, IIT Kanpur

PHY103A: Lecture # 7
(Text Book: Intro to Electrodynamics by Griffiths, 3rd Ed.)

Anand Kumar Jha

17-Jan-2018
 Notes
• HW # 3 is uploaded on the course webpage.

• Solutions to HW#2 have also been uploaded.

• Class this Saturday (Jan 20th).

• Are lecture notes sufficient for exams?

• Office Hours??

2
 Summary of Lecture # 6: 𝜌𝜌
𝜌𝜌
• Poisson’s Equation: 𝛁𝛁2 V = −
𝜖𝜖0

• The work required to

construct a system of one
point charge 𝑄𝑄:

𝑊𝑊 = QV 𝐫𝐫
V 𝐄𝐄 = −𝛁𝛁V
• Total work required to put 𝐄𝐄
together 𝑛𝑛 point charges: 𝐫𝐫

𝑛𝑛 V 𝐫𝐫 = − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥
1
𝑊𝑊 = � 𝑞𝑞𝑖𝑖 𝑉𝑉(𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐢 ) ∞
2
𝑖𝑖=1

• Energy of a continuous 1 𝜖𝜖0

charge distribution: W= � 𝜌𝜌 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 = � 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2 𝑎𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

3
Where is the electrostatic energy stored ?
The Energy of a Continuous Charge Distribution:
1
W = � 𝜌𝜌 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉
2 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜

𝜖𝜖0
= � 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2 𝑎𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

• The first expression has a volume integral of 𝜌𝜌 𝑉𝑉 over the localized space
whereas the second one has the volume integral of 𝐸𝐸 2 over all space.
So, where is the electrostatic energy stored? Within the
localized charge distribution or over all space?
• Just as both the integrals are mathematically correct, both the interpretations
are also correct. The electrostatic energy can be interpreted as stored locally
within the charge distribution or globally over all space.
• Again, at this point, as regarding fields, we know how to calculate different
physical quantities but we don’t really know what exactly the field is. 4
Where is the electrostatic energy stored ?
Ex. 2.8 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ): Find the energy of a uniformly
charged spherical shell of total charge 𝑞𝑞 and radius 𝑅𝑅.
1 1
𝑊𝑊shell = � 𝜌𝜌 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 = � 𝜎𝜎 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉
2 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2
1 𝑞𝑞 𝑞𝑞
= � 2
× 𝑅𝑅2 sinθ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2 4𝜋𝜋 𝑅𝑅 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑅𝑅
2
1 𝑞𝑞 𝑞𝑞 2 4𝜋𝜋 =
𝑞𝑞
= × 𝑅𝑅
2 4𝜋𝜋 𝑅𝑅2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑅𝑅 8𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑅𝑅
Alternatively:
𝜖𝜖0 𝑞𝑞
𝑊𝑊shell = � 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 What is 𝐸𝐸? 𝐄𝐄 = 0 inside and 𝐄𝐄 = 𝒓𝒓� outside
2 𝑎𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2

2 2 ∞
𝜖𝜖0 𝑞𝑞 2 𝜖𝜖0 𝑞𝑞 1
𝑊𝑊shell = � 𝑟𝑟 sinθ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 4𝜋𝜋 � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2 𝑎𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟=𝑅𝑅 𝑟𝑟 2

𝑞𝑞2 1
= The two expressions for energy indeed
8𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑅𝑅 give us the same information
Where is the electrostatic energy stored ?
Ex. 2.8 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ): Find the energy of a
uniformly charged solid sphere of total charge 𝑞𝑞
and radius 𝑅𝑅.
𝜖𝜖0
Wsphere = � 𝐸𝐸 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
2 𝑎𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑞𝑞
𝐄𝐄 = 𝒓𝒓�, outside
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌 𝑞𝑞 𝑟𝑟 𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞
HW Prob 2.5(a): 𝐄𝐄 = 𝒓𝒓� = 𝒓𝒓� = 𝒓𝒓�, inside
3𝜖𝜖0 4𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅3 /3 3𝜖𝜖0 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑅𝑅3
𝑅𝑅 ∞ 2 2 3
𝜖𝜖0 1 1 𝑟𝑟 𝑞𝑞
Wsphere = 𝑞𝑞 2 � 4 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + � 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 =
2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 2 6 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 5𝑅𝑅
0 𝑟𝑟 𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅

𝑞𝑞2 1 𝑞𝑞2 1
Recall: 𝑊𝑊shell = =
8𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑅𝑅 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 2𝑅𝑅

For the same charge and radius, a solid sphere

has more total energy than a spherical shell.
Electrostatic Boundary Conditions (Consequences of the fundamental laws):
How does electric field (𝐄𝐄) change across
a boundary containing surface charge 𝜎𝜎?

1. Normal component of E is Discontinuous

𝜌𝜌 𝑄𝑄enc
𝛁𝛁 ⋅ 𝐄𝐄 = � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐚𝐚 =
𝜖𝜖0 𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 𝜖𝜖0
𝜎𝜎 𝐴𝐴
𝐄𝐄  above 𝐴𝐴 − 𝐄𝐄  below 𝐴𝐴 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 =
𝜖𝜖0
𝜎𝜎
E above −E  below =
𝜖𝜖0

2. Parallel component of E is Continuous

𝛁𝛁 × 𝐄𝐄 = 0 � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥 = 𝟎𝟎
𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
𝐄𝐄  above 𝑙𝑙 − 𝐄𝐄  below 𝑙𝑙 + 0 + 0 = 0

E above − E  below = 0

𝜎𝜎
The electrostatic boundary condition 𝐄𝐄above − 𝐄𝐄below = �
𝐧𝐧
𝜖𝜖0 7
Electrostatic Boundary Conditions (Consequences of the fundamental laws):
How does electric potential (V) change across a
boundary containing surface charge 𝜎𝜎?

3. Potential 𝑉𝑉 is continuous across a boundary

𝒃𝒃

V 𝐛𝐛 − V(𝐚𝐚) = − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥
𝒂𝒂

𝒃𝒃

Vabove − Vbelow = − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥

𝒂𝒂
𝒃𝒃

For 𝜖𝜖 → 0, − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥 = 0
𝒂𝒂

Vabove − Vbelow = 0

8
 Uniformly charged spherical shell
Ex. 2.6 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ): Find the electric field and electric potential inside and
outside a uniformly charged sphere of radius 𝑅𝑅 and total charge 𝑞𝑞.
1 𝑞𝑞
The electric field outside the shell: 𝐄𝐄(𝐫𝐫) = r̂
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r2
The electric field inside the shell: 𝐄𝐄 𝐫𝐫 = 0
The electric potential at a point outside the shell (r > 𝑅𝑅):
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟
1 𝑞𝑞 ′
1 𝑞𝑞
V 𝐫𝐫 = − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥 = − � 𝑑𝑑𝑟𝑟 =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r′2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
∞ ∞
The electric potential for a point inside the shell (r < 𝑅𝑅):
𝑅𝑅 𝑟𝑟 𝑅𝑅
1 𝑞𝑞 ′
1 𝑞𝑞
V 𝐫𝐫 = − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥 − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥 = − � 2 𝑑𝑑𝑟𝑟 − 0 =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r′ 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 R
∞ 𝑅𝑅 ∞
Check the boundary condition on Electric field at r = 𝑅𝑅
𝜎𝜎 𝑞𝑞 1 𝑞𝑞
 
E above −E below = 
 E above − 0 = 2

 E above = 2
OK ª
𝜖𝜖0 𝜖𝜖 0 4𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 0 𝑅𝑅
Check the boundary condition on Electric potential
1 𝑞𝑞 1 𝑞𝑞
Vabove − Vbelow = 0  −
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 R 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 R
=0 OK ª 9
 Conductors (Materials containing unlimited supply of electrons)
(1) The electric field 𝐄𝐄 = 0
inside a conductor
This is true even when the
conductor is placed in an
external electric field 𝐄𝐄𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞𝐞 .
(2) The charge density 𝜌𝜌 = 0
inside a conductor.
This is because 𝐄𝐄 = 0 inside a conductor and therefore 𝜌𝜌 = 𝜖𝜖0 𝛁𝛁 ⋅ 𝐄𝐄 = 0.

(3) Any net charge resides on the surface.

Why? 𝑞𝑞2 3 𝑞𝑞2 1
To minimize the energy Wsphere =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 5𝑅𝑅 > 𝑊𝑊shell =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 2𝑅𝑅
(4) A conductor is an equipotential.
This is because 𝐄𝐄 = 0. So, for any two points 𝐚𝐚 and 𝐛𝐛,
𝒃𝒃
V 𝐛𝐛 − V 𝐚𝐚 = − � 𝐄𝐄 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐥𝐥 = 0. This means V 𝐛𝐛 = V 𝐚𝐚 .
𝒂𝒂
(5) 𝐄𝐄 is perpendicular to the surface, just outside the conductor. 10
 Induced Charges

No charge inside the cavity

Charge inside the cavity

No charge inside the cavity,

Conductor in an external field

11
Induced Charges
Prob. 2.36 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ):
𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎
- Surface charge 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 ? 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 = −
4𝜋𝜋𝑎𝑎2
𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏
- Surface charge 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 ? 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = −
4𝜋𝜋𝑏𝑏 2
𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎 + 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏
- Surface charge 𝜎𝜎𝑅𝑅 ? 𝜎𝜎𝑅𝑅 =
4𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅2
1 𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎
- 𝐄𝐄(𝐫𝐫𝒂𝒂 ) ? out 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 𝑟𝑟 2 𝐫𝐫�𝒂𝒂
𝐄𝐄 =
0 𝑎𝑎
1 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏
- 𝐄𝐄(𝐫𝐫𝒃𝒃 ) ? out 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 𝑟𝑟 2 𝐫𝐫�𝒃𝒃
𝐄𝐄 =
0 𝑏𝑏
1 𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎 + 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏
- 𝐄𝐄out (𝐫𝐫) ? 𝐄𝐄out = 𝐫𝐫�
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
- Force on 𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎 ? 0

- Force on 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 ? 0

12
Induced Charges
Prob. 2.36 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ):
𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎
- Surface charge 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 ? 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 = − Same ª
4𝜋𝜋𝑎𝑎2
𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 Same ª
- Surface charge 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 ? 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = −
4𝜋𝜋𝑏𝑏 2
𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎 + 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏
- Surface charge 𝜎𝜎𝑅𝑅 ? 𝜎𝜎𝑅𝑅 = Changes �
4𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅2
1 𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎
- 𝐄𝐄(𝐫𝐫𝒂𝒂 ) ? out 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 𝑟𝑟 2 𝐫𝐫�𝒂𝒂
𝐄𝐄 = Same ª
0 𝑎𝑎
1 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏
- 𝐄𝐄(𝐫𝐫𝒃𝒃 ) ? out 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 𝑟𝑟 2 𝐫𝐫�𝒃𝒃
𝐄𝐄 = Same ª
0 𝑏𝑏
1 𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎 + 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 Changes �
- 𝐄𝐄out (𝐫𝐫) ? 𝐄𝐄out = 𝐫𝐫�
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
- Force on 𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎 ? 0 Same ª
Bring in a third
- Force on 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 ? 0 Same ª
charge 𝑞𝑞𝑐𝑐
13