T H EO I I I : E L E K T R O DY N A M I K Problem Set 4

Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Büchler May 2nd , 2023

Institute for Theoretical Physics III, University of Stuttgart SS 2023

Problem 4.1: Cylindrical Capacitor [ Oral | 1 pt(s) ]

ID: ex_cylindrical_capacitor:edyn23

Learning objective

In this exercise, we apply our knowledge to evaluate the capacity of a cylindrical capacitor. Given the
translational invariance of the cylinder, we can apply the tools from the previous lecture to find the
electric field and charge distribution.

Consider two concentric conducting cylinders of length L with radii R1 < R2 (coaxial cable) that are
separated from each other by an insulating medium such as air or vacuum. Compute the capacitance
C per unit length for this setup for the case of very long conductors L  R2 . How does the
capacitance change if the inner cylinder is not hollow, but solid instead ?

Problem 4.2: Legendre polynomials and charge density [ Oral | 3 pt(s) ]

ID: ex_legendre_polynomials_and_charge_density:edyn23

Learning objective

Boundary value problems with a surface given by a sphere can naturally be solved in spherical coordinates.
Here, we apply this method to solve the electrostatic problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions on a
sphere, and get acquainted with Legendre Polynomials.

Let a spherical shell with radius R carry a fixed charge density σ(θ) such that the potential on the
sphere is

V (r = R, θ) = V0 + V1 cos θ + V2 cos 2θ (1)

where V0 , V1 , and V2 are constants and θ is the polar angle.

a) Find the potential V (r, θ) inside and outside of the spherical shell (V (∞) = 0). Use the ansatz 1pt(s)

∞
X
Φ(r, θ) = (al rl + bl r−(l+1) )Pl (cos θ), (2)
l=0

where Pl (x) are the Legendre polynomials.

b) From the potential V (r, θ) compute the electric field E(r, θ). 1pt(s)

Problem Set Version: 1.0 | edyn23 Page 1 of 3

T H EO I I I : E L E K T R O DY N A M I K Problem Set 4

c) Oberserve how - as is to be expected - the component of E perpendicular to the spherical shell 1pt(s)

is discontinuous at r = R with a jump of E⊥outside − E⊥inside = σ0 while the tangential component
is continuous. Use this to compute the surface charge distribution σ(θ).
Hint: The first Legendre polynomials are given by
48 KAPITEL 2. RANDWERTPROBLEME IN DER ELE
1
P0 (x) = 1, P1 (x) = x, P2 (x) = (3x2 − 1) (3)
2 und den Christo↵elsymbolen

Furthermore they obey the orthogonality relation

8
1 >
> @xn hn , n = i = j,
>
Z
2 > @ h , n(4)= j,
1 < xi n
dxPl (x)Pm (x) = δlm .
2l + 1
−1 n
ij = @xj hn , n = i,
hn >
>
>
> (hi /hn )@xn hi , i = j,
:
Problem 4.3: Conducting tip 0, sonst.
[ Written | 3 pt(s) ]
ID: ex_conducting_tip:edyn23

Schliesslich beachte man noch die Beziehungen3

Learning objective

Spherical coordinates can also be used to solve more2 complex geometries like a conducting tip. The latter
~ ~a 6= r ~ · (r ~ ~a)
can be described as a perfect cone. Following therlecture notes, we ·derive this beautiful result. It explains,
~electric
why lightning prefers to strike sharp objects, as the r ~
⇥ (r ) = 0 ()
field is strongly ein Gradientenfeld
enhances near the surface. ist nicht ve

r~ · (r
~ ⇥ ~a ) = 0 () ein Wirbelfeld hat keine Diver
a) First, write the Laplace equation, ∇2 Φ = 0, in spherical coordinates and! die an
make Wirbellinien
ansatz with sind
1pt(s)imme

separation
2.6. ofKUGELKOORDINATEN
variables: Φ(r) = u(r)P (ϑ)χ(φ)/r. Derive the differential equation for57 P (ϑ) and
regard it as an eigenvalue problem. In the lecture notes, we take only solutions l = 0, 1, 2, . . .
(Legendre polynomials Pl (z), z ≡ cos ϑ). Which solutions does one find for l = −1, −2, . . . and l
Geerdete
? How Spitze
non-integer are they called ? When 2.6is one Kugelkoordinaten
allowed to choose solutions with l non-integer
?
Wir betrachten eine metallische geerdete Spitze mit dem Ö↵nungswinkel ⇡
Consider now✓, dem
theWinkel ✓ zur
grounded z-Achse,
conical tip (orDie
vgl.
cut) Kugelkoordinaten
Abb. 2.20.
with Zu lösen
angle sind
0 < θist<das in Abb.
Problem
π. We 2.15
' =definiert.
are looking for the Aus der
0, im
potential Φ(r, Bereich
ϑ, φ) outside# of ✓ mit
< the der≤Randbedingung
tip (0 ϑ ≤ θ). '(# = ✓) = 0. Wir erwarten,

z z Abb. 2.15: Kugelk

~r r, #, ': Die alten
Abb. 2.20: Geerdete Spitze mit ten ausgedrückt durc
θ Ö↵nungswinkel ⇡ ✓; der Winkel
0 en sind: x = r sin #
✓ zur z-Achse
# definiert den phy-
r sin # sin ', z = r cos
sikalisch zugänglichen Bereich.
y
'

dass
b) Starting from regulär
' the ist fürdifferential
Legendre # < ✓, fürequation
# > ✓ darf singulär
' as
P (z) derivedwerden
Koordinatentransformation in part (#
alt ✓ gehört
neu
>perform
(a),
! findet man die
a change Quadr
1pt(s)

nicht ξzum
of variables ≡ 2physikalischen
1
(1 − z) and deriveRaum).the Wir behandeln
equation in the das
formWinkelproblem
of P (ξ) (now the in der
separation
neuen
constant Variablen
l is called ⇠ =is(1one cos
ν). When #)/2tososet
allowed dass
m =das0 ?2Winkelproblem regulär
Solve the differential um using
equation
⇠ ⇡ 0 ist. Das Laplace-Problem separiert mit h ' = (@ ' x)2
+ (@' y) 2
+ (@' z)2 = r2 sin2 ',
h2# = r2 ,
1
@r (r2 @r )R = ⌫(⌫ + 1)R ! R =ha2 ⌫ r⌫=+ b1.⌫ r (⌫+1) ,
r2 r (2.78)
@⇠ [⇠(1 ⇠)@⇠ P ] = ⌫(⌫ + 1)P, vgl.(2.50).
Problem Set Version: 1.0 | edyn23 Page 2 of 3
3
Beachte, r ~ 2~a involviert Divergenz und Wirbelung von ~a; für ei
Lösungen zu (2.78) sind die Legendre-Funktionen
Flüssigkeit ist div ~v =erster Art
0 (~v ein (Ordnung ⌫),
Geschwindigkeitsfeld) ~ 2~v 6= 0 nur
und r
noch verwirbelt ist.
T H EO I I I : E L E K T R O DY N A M I K Problem Set 4

a generalized power series ansatz

∞
X
α
P (ξ) = ξ aj ξ j .
j=0

For which ν do these solutions Pν (z) have singularities on the interval z ∈ [−1, 1] ? Do these
singularities belong to the (physical) domain of definition ? How does the boundary condition
Φ(ϑ = θ) = 0 restrict the possible values for ν ? How do these values depend on θ ?
c) Consider a pointed tip with 180◦ − θ = 5◦ . Let the potential Φ(r = d, ϑ = 0, φ = 0) = Φ0 at a 1pt(s)

small distance d. How large is the electric field closer to the tip at distance d0 = 10
d
?

Problem Set Version: 1.0 | edyn23 Page 3 of 3