Electron and proton and other particles ( charge

particle ) exert a long range force on one

another , like gravitation , this force is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance
between the particle ; but unlike gravitation ,
this force is attractive or repulsive , depending
on what particle are involved .
Coulo
s law :
The electric force that a point charge exerts on a
point charge q at a distance r has magnitude

The force is directed along the line joining the

charges . the force is repulsive if the charge have the
same sign , and it is attractive if the charge have
opposite sign .

If the charge at the origin of our coordinate system ,

then
The potential energy associated with the coulomb
force is
The ele t i field ; Gauss la :
For a charge placed at the origin of coordinates , we
define the electric field that this charge produces at
some distance r as

According to eq.(2) , we can then express the force

on a second charge as
The net electric field of several charges if the
charges are
with position
, then
the net electric field
In the calculation of electric field , to describe the
distribution of charges by a continuous charge
density . Since
is mount of charge in the
volume
near the point .

Gauss s law says that the total normal outward

flux over a closed surface in an electric field is
equal to
times the charge enclosed by the
surface. returning to the div. theorem we can
write,
From div. theorem we have
Therefore
Let us now suppose that charge uniformly
distribution in space and charge density then
Gauss's equation become this is differential

e uatio of Gauss la .

Application :
1-We wont to find out the electric field at a point p
due to a point charge q placed at o as shown in the
diagram .
Sol.
Consider a sphere of radius r passing through the
point p . let the electric field at p be . then by
Gauss law

Or

2-To find out the electric field at a point p due to

an infinite line of charge :
Consider a cylindrical surface through the point p
as shown in the diagram and let be the electric
field at the point p . by Gauss law

Ex. Find the electric field to the electric dipole

consisting of two point like charge
at z ?
Sol.

For 2

then

at =0 p location on the z direction (r)

For =90 ,=0

The electrostatic potential

Poisso s e uatio :
We know that a vector field of zero curl is conservative and
can be express as the gradient of scalar function . the
electrostatic field satisfied this condition , it is therefore
conservative , for any arbitrary closed path

And it can be expressed as the gradient of scalar function

From Gauss law , we have that
Or
This equation is known as Poisson equation and solution of
this equation can be used for solving any electrostatic
problem .

For electrostatic problem in which the charge

density at most of point is zero , we can write the
Poisson equation as
(charge free region)
This equation is known as Lapla e s equation in
conductors , the charge is on the surface and
therefore for any point other than surface the
charge density
, hence Lapla e s equation can
be applied
rectangular coordinates
cylindrical coordinate
Spherical coordinates

Theorem No.1:
State that if
are different solutions
of Lapla e s equation , then
Is also a solution of Lapla e s equation. Where
c1,c2, cn are different constants

Theorem No.2:
States that if and are the two solution of
Lapla e s equation with same conditions, then
either
or
.

2-4 Solutio s of Lapla e s e uatio :

1-when the potential is dependent on only one
variable:
1-a:when is a function of x only in
coordinates.
The Lapla e s e uatio the e o e
Integral eq.(25) we get
, where a and b are constant.
1-b:when is a function of r only in
coordinates
the Lapla e s equation in this case becomes

, where a and b are constant.

1-c: when is a function of r only in

oo di ates the Lapla e s e uatio , the efo e
becomes
,
, where a and b are constant.
Ex.1: find out the capacity of a parallel plate condenser
using Lapla e s equation :
Let A and B be two plates of the condenser and let their
distance be d and area of one plate be A as shown in the
diagram. from Lapla e s equation we have in this have
u=ax+b in this case when x=0 , u=u1 and when x=d ,
u=u2 .

F o Lapla e s e uatio e ha e u=ax+b (1)

in this case when x=0 , u=u1 and when x=d
and u=u2
u1=a*0+b
or u1=b u1=a*d+b
u1-u2= -a.d
(2)
From eq. (1)
Now we know that E between the two plates is
given by
Where is charge per unit area therefore from
eq. (3) and (4),
Hence

Ex. 2: find out the capacity of spherical condenser

usi g Lapla e s e uatio

From eq.(5) and eq.(6)

Ex. 3 find out the capacity of cylindrical condenser

usi g Lapla e s e uatio
F o Lapla e s e uatio e ha e
Let
,

2- solution of Lapla e s equation in spherical

coordinate
In
coordinates Lapla e s
equation is:
To make it simple let us assume that u is a function of
r and only and is independent of . Therefore
Lapla e s equation become:

Let u = z p he e ) is pu e fu tio of a d p
is a pu e fu tio of .
Form eq. (3)

Multiplying eq.(6)

by we get

If eq. (8) the left hand side is purely dependent on r

and the right hand side is pure function of ,
therefore both side be equal to a constant

Eq. (10) can be written as

Eq. (11) is the equation known as Legendre equation
and it acceptable solution are obtain when k=n(n+1)
where n= 0,1,2,3,.the different value of gives
different solutions and these different solutions are
known as Legendre polynomial .

these polynomials are as below:

Pn

n
0
1
2
3
4
5

1*constant
cos
1/2(3cos2-1)
1/2(5cos3-3cos
1/8(35cos4-30cos2+3)
1/8(63cos5-70cos3+15cos

Solution of eq.(13) is z = rn or z= r-(n+1)

Prove
,
,
,

Therefore

eq. (14) will give different solution for different values of n.

these solution are called (Zonal Harmonics) or spherical
harmonics. Now if we give different value of n we get
when n=0
when n=1
when n=2
from theorem 1, know the complete solution is given by:
the complete solution in this case is

In eq. (15), the term

is similar to the potential due to a point
charge and the term
is similar to potential due to an electric
dipole
. Therefore eq. (15) can be used to solving different
electric problems.

Ex.1: To study the behavior of a spherical conductor place in

uniform electric field.
Sol.
Let us suppose that there is a uniform electric field E0 as
shown in fig. , let a spherical conductor of radius a be placed
in this field. According to Laplace's equation, the potential is
given by

In this problem, the conductor has no charge and therefore in

eq. (1) the term c1r-1 must be zero c1 = 0 with this condition
eq. (1) becomes
At infinity,
But

The polar direction (z- direction), and if we make the origin

coincide with center of sphere.
Then we apply this condition to eq.(2), we find that A2 = E0 and A3 , A4 , A5,. should become zero.
Therefore eq. (2) becomes
Now, at r=a, u is constant = u0 in eq. (3) when r=a (at the
surface of sphere the potential must become independent
of a) then we apply this condition, we get A1=u0 and at the
surface of sphere the potential must become independent
of angle , the two term involving cos must be cancel
each other, but the term with higher inverse power of r
cannot be cancelled one against the other because the
contain different Legendre function, the only possibility is
to set all the cis with i 3 equal to zero. equal
zero.c3,c4,c5,.. equal zero.

So eq.(2) becomes

Where r=a, the field is Er

the charge density

The total charge on the conductor

x=sin

Q:Show that the charge on spherical conductor

in uniform field is zero.

2- Solutio of Lapla e s e uatio i

yli d i al oo di ates:

I this oo di ates Lapla e s e uatio is

For problems in which is independent of eq.(1) becomes

Therefore

where k is the separation constant

And
Let
where Y is pure function of r and S is pure
function of
OR

We know that solution of eq. (6) is

If this solution is correct then
Placing this value of k in eq. (4) we get,
The solution of eq. (9) is
solution eq. (2)
And
When n=0
The solution are 1 and lnr
When n=1,2,3,4
The solution are

These solutions are known as cylindrical harmonics.

Ex. 2 A long cylindrical conductor of radius a bearing no net charge

is placed in an infinity uniform electric field E0 .The direction of E0 is
perpendicular to the cylinder axis. Find the potential and the
electric field at point exterior to the cylinder.

Sol.
Let the a be small, so the cylinder can only change the potential
nearby at large distance, the potential will remain unchanged. This
gives us the boundary condition
Another boundary condition is that the electric field at the
cylindrical must be normal to the surface

According to Lapla e s equation, the potential given by

According to the boundary condition any where in space consist of

-E0cos plus extra terms that vanish as

1- at

2- at

Therefore

3- solution of Lapla e s equation in(x,y,z) coordinates:

The Lapla e s equation in(x,y,z) coordinates is
written as
Let
Where
and are independent function of
x,y,z respectively.
Finding out
and
from eq. (2) and
substituting in eq. (1) we get
, dividing by
, we get
Let
Where k is the separation constant .

,
,
The solution of eq. (5) is
From 2nd part of eq. (4) we have
,
Where m is the second separation constant.

The solution of eq. (7) is

Therefore
From (2)
or
eq. (8) give different solution .

A very interesting case is when k=0 and m=0 we

get

Where

are constant

Ex.1 If the electric potential in the y=0 plane is given by

find the potential and the electric field component at any point
like, p
Sol.
The Lapla e s equation in coordinate is written as
We will look for special solution of the type .

y=0

 u z

z




f1
f2
f3
:

 A=0

for

for

y=0

C=0

D=0

Ex. 2 Find the electric potential distribution functions

inside rectangular as shown in diagram. Note the potential
is constant in the z direction.

In this problem is independent of z,

Lapla e s e uatio e o es

when m=0,1,2,3,

(*)