Semester II, 2017-18

Department of Physics, IIT Kanpur

PHY103A: Lecture # 13
(Text Book: Intro to Electrodynamics by Griffiths, 3rd Ed.)

Anand Kumar Jha

29-Jan-2018
Summary of Lecture # 12:
• Electric Fields in Matter
1. Induced Polarization 𝐩𝐩 = 𝛼𝛼 𝐄𝐄 𝜶𝜶 is called the atomic polarizability
𝑝𝑝𝑥𝑥 𝛼𝛼𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 𝛼𝛼𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 𝛼𝛼𝑥𝑥𝑧𝑧 𝐸𝐸𝑥𝑥
𝑝𝑝𝑦𝑦 = 𝛼𝛼𝑦𝑦𝑥𝑥 𝛼𝛼𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝛼𝛼𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝐸𝐸𝑦𝑦
𝑝𝑝𝑧𝑧 𝛼𝛼𝑧𝑧𝑥𝑥 𝛼𝛼𝑧𝑧𝑦𝑦 𝛼𝛼𝑧𝑧𝑧𝑧 𝐸𝐸𝑧𝑧
Polarizability Tensor
2. Permanent Polarization
(Polar molecules)
Uniform electric field 𝐄𝐄
𝐅𝐅 = 0 𝐍𝐍 = 𝐩𝐩 × 𝐄𝐄
In a non-Uniform electric field 𝐄𝐄
𝐅𝐅 = 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝛁𝛁 𝐄𝐄 𝐍𝐍 = 𝐩𝐩 × 𝐄𝐄 (about the center of the dipole)
𝐍𝐍 = 𝐩𝐩 × 𝐄𝐄 + 𝐫𝐫 × 𝐅𝐅 (about a point 𝐫𝐫 away from
the center of the dipole)
• Polarization
𝐏𝐏 ≡ dipole moment (𝐩𝐩) per unit volume 2
The Field of a Polarized Object:
Point dipole at
Point dipole 𝐫𝐫𝐫 away from
at the origin the center

1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫� 1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ r̂
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = Vdip 𝐫𝐫 =
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r2

Continuous 1 𝐏𝐏(𝐫𝐫𝐫) ⋅ r̂
distribution Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r2
of dipoles V

𝐩𝐩 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝐝𝐝𝝉𝝉𝝉
3
 The Field of a Polarized Object:
1 𝐏𝐏(𝐫𝐫𝐫) ⋅ r̂ 1 ′
r̂
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 2
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑= � 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ⋅ r2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 0
vol vol
1 ′ ′
1
= � 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ⋅ 𝛁𝛁 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
1 r̂
vol [ Using 𝛁𝛁′ = 2]
r r
1 ′
𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 1 1 ′
= � 𝛁𝛁 ⋅ 𝑑𝑑τ′ − � 𝛁𝛁 ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
vol vol
[ Using 𝛁𝛁 ⋅ 𝑓𝑓𝐀𝐀 = 𝑓𝑓 𝛁𝛁 ⋅ 𝐀𝐀 + 𝐀𝐀 ⋅ (𝛁𝛁𝑓𝑓) ]
1 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 1 1 ′
= � ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐚𝐚𝐚 − � 𝛁𝛁 ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol
1 �
𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′ 1 𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′
= � 𝑑𝑑a′ − � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol
�
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′
1 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 1 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝑑𝑑a′ + � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 4
 The Field of a Polarized Object:
1 𝐏𝐏(𝐫𝐫𝐫) ⋅ r̂
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 2
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
vol

1 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 1 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝑑𝑑a′ + � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r
𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol

�
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′ 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′
Surface charge density Volume charge density

Potential due to a polarized object can be thought of as the sum of the potentials due
� and a volume charge 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ .
to a surface charge 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′

5
Are bound charges real?

�
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′ 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′
Surface charge density Volume charge density

These bound charges are not just mathematical constructs. They do appear on the
surface and in the volume of the dielectric.

• Uniform Polarization in one-dimension 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = 0

6
Are bound charges real?

�
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′ 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′
Surface charge density Volume charge density

These bound charges are not just mathematical constructs. They do appear on the
surface and in the volume of the dielectric.

• Non-Uniform Polarization in one-dimension 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0

7
What is the total bound charge?
1 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 1 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏
Vdip 𝐫𝐫 = � 𝑑𝑑a′ + � 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 r 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 0 r
𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol
�
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′ 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′

Prob 4.14 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ): Prove that the total bound charge is zero.

Total charge 𝑄𝑄 = � 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 𝑑𝑑a′ + � 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol
� 𝑑𝑑a′ − � 𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= � 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧′
𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol

= � 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝑑𝑑𝐚𝐚′ − � 𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol

= � 𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 − � 𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ 𝑑𝑑𝜏𝜏 ′ = 0

8
vol vol
The Field of a Polarized Object:
Ex. 4.2 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ): Find the electric field of a sphere
of radius 𝑅𝑅, if it is uniformly polarized 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ = 𝑃𝑃 𝐳𝐳� .
𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ (𝑃𝑃 𝐳𝐳�) = 0

𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧�′ = 𝑃𝑃 cos𝜃𝜃

The potential due to a uniformly polarized sphere is equal to the
potential due to a spherical surface charge density 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝑃𝑃 cos𝜃𝜃
For this charge distribution, the potential is calculated in (Ex. 3.9 Griffiths, 3rd Ed. )
4𝜋𝜋 3
𝑃𝑃 𝑅𝑅 3 3
𝑅𝑅 𝐏𝐏 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫� 1 3 𝑅𝑅 𝐏𝐏 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫� 1 𝐩𝐩 ⋅ 𝐫𝐫�
For 𝑟𝑟 ≥ 𝑅𝑅 𝑉𝑉 𝑟𝑟, 𝜃𝜃 = cos𝜃𝜃 = = =
3𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2 3𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
3𝜖𝜖0 4𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟 2
3
4𝜋𝜋 total dipole moment
𝐩𝐩 = 𝑅𝑅3 𝐏𝐏
3 of the sphere
𝑝𝑝
⇒ 𝐄𝐄 = −𝛁𝛁𝑉𝑉 = 𝐄𝐄dip 𝐫𝐫 = 3
(2cos𝜃𝜃 𝐫𝐫� + sin𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃̂)
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟
𝑃𝑃 𝑃𝑃 𝑝𝑝
For 𝑟𝑟 ≤ 𝑅𝑅 𝑉𝑉 𝑟𝑟, 𝜃𝜃 = 𝑟𝑟 cos𝜃𝜃 ⇒ 𝐄𝐄 = −𝛁𝛁𝑉𝑉 = − 𝐳𝐳� = −
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖 𝑅𝑅 3
𝐳𝐳�
3𝜖𝜖0 3𝜖𝜖0 0 9
The Field of a Polarized Object:
Ex. 4.2 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ): Find the electric field of a sphere
of radius 𝑅𝑅, if it is uniformly polarized 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ = 𝑃𝑃 𝐳𝐳� .
𝑝𝑝
For 𝑟𝑟 ≥ 𝑅𝑅 𝐄𝐄 = 3
(2cos𝜃𝜃 𝐫𝐫� + sin𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃̂)
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑟𝑟
𝑝𝑝
For 𝑟𝑟 ≤ 𝑅𝑅 𝐄𝐄 = − 𝐳𝐳�
4𝜋𝜋𝜖𝜖0 𝑅𝑅3

10
The Field of a Polarized Object:
Prob 4.10 (Griffiths, 3rd Ed. ): Find the bound charges of a
sphere of radius 𝑅𝑅, if its polarization is 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ = 𝑘𝑘𝐫𝐫.
Volume charge
𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 = −𝛁𝛁′ ⋅ 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′
1 𝜕𝜕 2 1
=− 2 𝑟𝑟 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 =− 3𝑘𝑘𝑟𝑟 2 = −3𝑘𝑘
𝑟𝑟 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑟𝑟 2

Surface charge
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 = 𝐏𝐏 𝐫𝐫 ′ ⋅ 𝐧𝐧�′ = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
Q: What is the electric field outside the sphere?
Volume and surface charge distributions are both symmetric with respect to the
center of the sphere. So, the total charge can be thought of as being concentrated at
the center
Total charge 𝑄𝑄 = � 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 𝑑𝑑a′ + � 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 vol So the electric field
4𝜋𝜋 3
= 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 4𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅2 + −3𝑘𝑘 × 𝑅𝑅 outside the sphere is zero.
3
=0 11