Physics II (PH 102)

Electromagnetism (Lecture 9)

Udit Raha
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Feb 2016

Energy of a Point Test Charge in Electric Field

Consider a stationary configuration of source charge distribution.
I

Let E be a pre-existing electric field with potential V .

Energy of a Point Test Charge in Electric Field

Consider a stationary configuration of source charge distribution.
I

Let E be a pre-existing electric field with potential V .

The electrostatic force Ffield on a positive test charge Q is Ffield = QE.

Definition
Electrostatic Potential Energy of a test charge Q at point r: It is equal to the
amount of work done by an external agent against the field to bring Q units of
positive charge from (or ref) to the point r:
r

r
Fext dr0 =

UE (r) =

r
Ffield dr0 = Q

E dr0 = QV (r).

Energy of a Point Test Charge in Electric Field

Consider a stationary configuration of source charge distribution.
I

Let E be a pre-existing electric field with potential V .

The electrostatic force Ffield on a positive test charge Q is Ffield = QE.

Definition
Electrostatic Potential Energy of a test charge Q at point r: It is equal to the
amount of work done by an external agent against the field to bring Q units of
positive charge from (or ref) to the point r:
r

r
Fext dr0 =

UE (r) =

r
Ffield dr0 = Q

E dr0 = QV (r).

Electrostatic Potential difference between two points a and b can now be

expressed in terms of the Potential Energy difference:
V (b) V (a) =

1
(UE (b) UE (a)) .
Q

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space

Bring in charges, one by one, say, from .
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No work done in placing first charge q1

at r1 .

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space

Bring in charges, one by one, say, from .
I

No work done in placing first charge q1

at r1 .

Work done is placing the second

charge q2 at r2 :

r2
q1

1 q1 q2
W =
40 r12
where r12 = |r1 r2 |.

r1

q2

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space

Bring in charges, one by one, say, from .
I

No work done in placing first charge q1

at r1 .

r3
q3

Work done is placing the second

charge q2 at r2 :

q2
r2
q1

1 q1 q2
W =
40 r12
where r12 = |r1 r2 |.
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Total Work done in placing up to the

third charge q3 at r3 :


1
q1 q2
q1 q3
q2 q3
W =
+
+
40
r12
r13
r23

r1

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space

Bring in charges, one by one, say, from .
I

No work done in placing first charge q1

at r1 .

r3
q3

Work done is placing the second

charge q2 at r2 :

q2
r2
q1

1 q1 q2
W =
40 r12

r1

where r12 = |r1 r2 |.

I

Total Work done in placing up to the

third charge q3 at r3 :


1
q1 q2
q1 q3
q2 q3
W =
+
+
40
r12
r13
r23
Generalize formula up to n charges:
W

n1
1 X
40 i=1



n
X
qi qj
rij
j=2, j>i


n
n
1 X X
qi qj
80 i=1
rij
j=1, j6=i

q5
q2
q3
q6
q1

q4

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space (contd.)

I

The Electrostatic Potential Energy is equal to the total work done to

assemble the configuration of n point charges at r1 , r2, , rn :


n
n
1 X X
qi qj
UE (r1 , r2, , rn ) W =
80 i=1
rij
j=1, j6=i

n
n
1X X
1 qj
=
qi
2 i=1
40 rij
j=1, j6=i

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space (contd.)

I

The Electrostatic Potential Energy is equal to the total work done to

assemble the configuration of n point charges at r1 , r2, , rn :


n
n
1 X X
qi qj
UE (r1 , r2, , rn ) W =
80 i=1
rij
j=1, j6=i

n
n
1X X
1 qj
=
qi
2 i=1
40 rij
j=1, j6=i

1
2

n
X
i=1

qi V (ri )

n
1X
qi Vi
2 i=1

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space (contd.)

I

The Electrostatic Potential Energy is equal to the total work done to

assemble the configuration of n point charges at r1 , r2, , rn :


n
n
1 X X
qi qj
UE (r1 , r2, , rn ) W =
80 i=1
rij
j=1, j6=i

n
n
1X X
1 qj
=
qi
2 i=1
40 rij
j=1, j6=i

1
2

n
X
i=1

qi V (ri )

n
1X
qi Vi
2 i=1

Vi V (ri ) is the potential at the site of the i th charge.

The result is independent of the order in which the charges are assembled.
UE (r1 , r2, , rn ) = UE (r2 , rn, , r1 ) = = UE (Permute(r1 , r2, , rn ))

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space (contd.)

I

The Electrostatic Potential Energy is equal to the total work done to

assemble the configuration of n point charges at r1 , r2, , rn :


n
n
1 X X
qi qj
UE (r1 , r2, , rn ) W =
80 i=1
rij
j=1, j6=i

n
n
1X X
1 qj
=
qi
2 i=1
40 rij
j=1, j6=i

1
2

n
X
i=1

qi V (ri )

n
1X
qi Vi
2 i=1

Vi V (ri ) is the potential at the site of the i th charge.

The result is independent of the order in which the charges are assembled.
UE (r1 , r2, , rn ) = UE (r2 , rn, , r1 ) = = UE (Permute(r1 , r2, , rn ))

The result will, however, depend on the respective locations of the

charges. UE , therefore, is called the CONFIGURATION ENERGY of the
system of charges.

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space (contd.)

I

SELF-ENERGY of the individual charges are excluded!

Remember:
I
I

While defining UE , we said No work done in placing first charge q1 at r1 .

All terms i = j are absent in UE .

Energy of a group of Point Source Charges in Field-free space (contd.)

I

SELF-ENERGY of the individual charges are excluded!

Remember:
I
I

While defining UE , we said No work done in placing first charge q1 at r1 .

All terms i = j are absent in UE .

Definition


SELF-ENERGY: This is the amount of energy needed to fabricate or build-up

the individual point charges by bringing their respective differential amounts of
constituent charges from to the specific locations.

Energy of General Charge Distribution

General localized charge distribution:
I

Volume V with volume charge density (r)

Surface S with surface charge density (r)

Curve with linear charge density (r)

Discrete point charges qi at ri0

Potential V (r)

Configuration Energy of the system of charges:

1
1
(r0 )V (r0 ) da0
UE
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 +
2
2
V

1
2

S
n
1X
(r0 )V (r0 ) dl 0 +
qi V (ri0 )
2 i=1

Energy of General Charge Distribution

General localized charge distribution:
I

Volume V with volume charge density (r)

Surface S with surface charge density (r)

Curve with linear charge density (r)

Discrete point charges qi at ri0

Potential V (r)

Configuration Energy of the system of charges:

1
1
(r0 )V (r0 ) da0
UE
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 +
2
2
V

1
2

S
n
1X
(r0 )V (r0 ) dl 0 +
qi V (ri0 )
2 i=1

Note: Self-energies of continuous distributions

are included but not for discrete charges!

What else are we still neglecting here?

Energy of General Charge Distribution

General localized charge distribution:
I

Volume V with volume charge density (r)

Surface S with surface charge density (r)

Curve with linear charge density (r)

Discrete point charges qi at ri0

Potential V (r)

Configuration Energy of the system of charges:

1
1
(r0 )V (r0 ) da0
UE
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 +
2
2
V

1
2

S
n
1X
(r0 )V (r0 ) dl 0 +
qi V (ri0 )
2 i=1

Note: Self-energies of continuous distributions

are included but not for discrete charges!

What else are we still neglecting here?

INTERACTION ENERGIES

Superposition Principle is not valid in general!

Energy of Continuous Charge Distribution

I

Consider the Electrostatic energy of a localized charge distribution V ,

bounded by a closed surface S :

1
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 .
UE =
2
V

Energy of Continuous Charge Distribution

I

Consider the Electrostatic energy of a localized charge distribution V ,

bounded by a closed surface S :

1
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 .
UE =
2
V

Using Gausss differential law at source: (r0 ) = 0 0 E(r0 ),

1
0
UE =
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 =
(0 E(r0 )) V (r0 ) d 0
2
2
V

Energy of Continuous Charge Distribution

I

Consider the Electrostatic energy of a localized charge distribution V ,

bounded by a closed surface S :

1
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 .
UE =
2
V

Using Gausss differential law at source: (r0 ) = 0 0 E(r0 ),

1
0
UE =
(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0 =
(0 E(r0 )) V (r0 ) d 0
2
2
V
V

 2

0
0
=
|E| + (V E) source d 0
2
V

0
0
|E|2source d 0 +
(V E)boundary da0 .
UE =
2
2
V

In the last step, we applied the Gauss Divergence Theorem to obtain the
surface integral over S .

Math: (V E) = V ( E) + (V ) E = V ( E ) |E|2

, with bounding surface S,

Next, consider a large spherical volume V
containing the charged distribution V .

, with bounding surface S,

Next, consider a large spherical volume V
containing the charged distribution V .
For localized charge distribution, V (r) 1/r , E(r) 1/r 2

I
I

, with bounding surface S,

Next, consider a large spherical volume V
containing the charged distribution V .
For localized charge distribution, V (r) 1/r , E(r) 1/r 2
For points on the spherical surface S,

1 1
1
V (r) E(r) da 2 r 2 0, |r| .
r r
r
S

I
I

, with bounding surface S,

Next, consider a large spherical volume V
containing the charged distribution V .
For localized charge distribution, V (r) 1/r , E(r) 1/r 2
For points on the spherical surface S,

1 1
1
V (r) E(r) da 2 r 2 0, |r| .
r r
r
S

V and S S , then the surface integral vanishes.

Let V
UE

1
2

(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0
V

0
2

|E|2source d 0 +
VV

0
2

:0



(V E)
 da0
boundary


SS


I
I

, with bounding surface S,

Next, consider a large spherical volume V
containing the charged distribution V .
For localized charge distribution, V (r) 1/r , E(r) 1/r 2
For points on the spherical surface S,

1 1
1
V (r) E(r) da 2 r 2 0, |r| .
r r
r
S

V and S S , then the surface integral vanishes.

Let V
UE

1
2

(r0 )V (r0 ) d 0
V

0
2

|E|2source d 0 +
VV

0
2

0
2

:0



(V E)
 da0
boundary


SS


 0 2
E(r ) d 0

All Space


1
UE =
2

0
(r )V (r ) d =
2
0


 0 2
E(r ) d 0

All Space

Self-energy of a Charged Sphere

Example
Determine the total Self-energy of a uniformly charged solid sphere VR of
radius R and charge q.

Self-energy of a Charged Sphere

Example
Determine the total Self-energy of a uniformly charged solid sphere VR of
radius R and charge q.
I

First consider larger concentric spherical volume Va of radius a > R, with

its bounding surface Sa , enclosing the original charged sphere VR .
As a , Va V (i.e., All Space) and Sa S .

Self-energy of a Charged Sphere

Example
Determine the total Self-energy of a uniformly charged solid sphere VR of
radius R and charge q.
I

First consider larger concentric spherical volume Va of radius a > R, with

its bounding surface Sa , enclosing the original charged sphere VR .
As a , Va V (i.e., All Space) and Sa S .

UE =

0
2

|E(r)|2 d +
Va V

0
2

V (r) E(r) da
Sa S

Electric field:

(
E(r) =

1
40
1
40

qr
r
R3
q
r
r2

r <R
r >R

Electric field:

(
E(r) =

1
40
1
40

Potential:
(
V (r) =

q
80 R
1 q
40 r

qr
r
R3
q
r
r2

r <R
r >R

r2
R2

r <R
r >R

Electric field:

(
E(r) =

Potential:
(
V (r) =

1
40
1
40

q
80 R
1 q
40 r

qr
r
R3
q
r
r2

r <R
r >R

r2
R2

r <R
r >R

Volume integral over a spherical volume Va with radius a > R:


2  R  2 


a 
0
0
q
r
1
2
2
2
|E(r)| d =
4r dr +
4r dr
2
2 40
R6
r4
0
R
Va

q2
80

1
1
1
+
5R
R
a

Electric field:

(
E(r) =

Potential:
(
V (r) =

1
40
1
40

q
80 R
1 q
40 r

qr
r
R3
q
r
r2

r <R
r >R

r2
R2

r <R
r >R

Volume integral over a spherical volume Va with radius a > R:


2  R  2 


a 
0
0
q
r
1
2
2
2
|E(r)| d =
4r dr +
4r dr
2
2 40
R6
r4
0
R
Va

=
I

q2
80

1
1
1
+
5R
R
a

Surface integral over the bounding sphere Sa of radius a > R:





0
0
q
q
q2
(V (ar) E(ar)) da =
4a2 =
2
2 40 a2
40 a
80 a
Sa

The total Self-energy of the charged sphere VR :

0
0
UE =
|E(r)|2 d +
V (r) E(r) da
2
2
Va V

Sa S

The total Self-energy of the charged sphere VR :

0
0
UE =
|E(r)|2 d +
V (r) E(r) da
2
2
Va V

=
=

Sa S




q2
q2
1
1
1
lim
+
+
a 80
5R
R
a
80 a
 2
1
3q
40 5R

0
|E(r)|2 d.
2


All Space

The total Self-energy of the charged sphere VR :

0
0
UE =
|E(r)|2 d +
V (r) E(r) da
2
2
Va V

Sa S




q2
q2
1
1
1
lim
+
+
a 80
5R
R
a
80 a
 2
1
3q
40 5R

0
|E(r)|2 d.
2


=
=

All Space
I

Check at home: You should obtain same result from a direct integration
over the original sphere VR , using definition, i.e.,

1
UE =
(r)V (r) d.
2
VR

Self-energy of a Point Charge

Electric field of a point charge placed at origin:
E(r) =

1 q
r
40 r 2

Self-energy of a Point Charge

Electric field of a point charge placed at origin:
E(r) =

1 q
r
40 r 2

Self-Energy:
0
UE =
2

|E(r)| dv

0
2

q
40

All Space

0
2

q2
80

q
40

0

2

2 

1
dr
r2

1
r4

2
sin d

r dr
0

1
r4

4r 2 dr

d
0

Self-energy of a Point Charge

Electric field of a point charge placed at origin:
E(r) =

1 q
r
40 r 2

Self-Energy:
0
UE =
2

|E(r)| dv

0
2

q
40

2

2 

0
2

q2
80

q2
lim
80 R0

q
40

0

All Space

2
sin d

r dr
0

1
dr
r2

1
r4

1
dr
r2

1
r4

4r 2 dr

d
0

Self-energy of a Point Charge

Electric field of a point charge placed at origin:
E(r) =

1 q
r
40 r 2

Self-Energy:
0
UE =
2

|E(r)| dv

0
2

q
40

2

All Space

2 

0
2

q2
80

q2
lim
80 R0

q2
1
lim

80 R0 R

1
dr
r2

R

2
sin d

r dr
0

q
40

1
r4

1
r4

4r 2 dr

d
0

1
dr
r2

Since the radii of the point charges vanish, their self-energies blow up.

Interaction Energy of two Point Charges

Example
Find the Interaction energy of two charges, q1 and q2 located at r1 and r2 ,
respectively.

Interaction Energy of two Point Charges

Example
Find the Interaction energy of two charges, q1 and q2 located at r1 and r2 ,
respectively.
Net Electric field at any point r (Superposition Principle)
E(r) = E1 (r) + E2 (r) ,

Interaction Energy of two Point Charges

Example
Find the Interaction energy of two charges, q1 and q2 located at r1 and r2 ,
respectively.
Net Electric field at any point r (Superposition Principle)
E(r) = E1 (r) + E2 (r) ,

Total Electrostatic Energy of system:

0
UE =
|E1 (r) + E2 (r)|2 dv
2
All Space

0
0
0
=
|E1 (r)|2 dv +
|E2 (r)|2 dv +
2
2
2
All Space

All Space

2E1 (r) E2 (r)dv

All Space

Interaction Energy of two Point Charges

Example
Find the Interaction energy of two charges, q1 and q2 located at r1 and r2 ,
respectively.
Net Electric field at any point r (Superposition Principle)
E(r) = E1 (r) + E2 (r) ,

Total Electrostatic Energy of system:

0
UE =
|E1 (r) + E2 (r)|2 dv
2
All Space

0
0
0
=
|E1 (r)|2 dv +
|E2 (r)|2 dv +
2
2
2
All Space

Interaction Energy:

All Space

UEint = 0

E1 (r) E2 (r)dv =
All Space

2E1 (r) E2 (r)dv

All Space

q1 q2
40 r12

Energy Density
I

Where is the energy stored...in the charges?...or in the fields?

Energy Density
I

Where is the energy stored...in the charges?...or in the fields?

There is no unique answer to that question!

The equation
UE =

1
2

(r)V (r) dv
V

may suggest that the energy is stored in the charges.

Energy Density
I

Where is the energy stored...in the charges?...or in the fields?

There is no unique answer to that question!

The equation
UE =

1
2

(r)V (r) dv
V

may suggest that the energy is stored in the charges.

I

While the equation

UE =

0
2

E 2 dv
All Space

suggests that the energy is stored in the field.

Energy Density
I

Where is the energy stored...in the charges?...or in the fields?

There is no unique answer to that question!

The equation
UE =

1
2

(r)V (r) dv
V

may suggest that the energy is stored in the charges.

I

While the equation

UE =

0
2

E 2 dv
All Space

suggests that the energy is stored in the field.

I

It is conventional to define an ENERGY DENSITY:

0
u(r) =
|E (r)|2
2
such that a volume dv will contain Electrostatic energy equal to u(r)dv .