Unit 4: Electrostatic Field in Material Media and Boundary Value

Problems (6 hrs)

4.1 Polarization
4.2 Free and bound charge densities
4.3 Concept of permittivity
4.4 Capacitance calculations
4.5 Laplace’s and Poisson’s equations
4.6 Uniqueness theorem
4.7 One-dimensional boundary value problem
 4.1 Polarization

•Polarization refers to the alignment of dipoles within a dielectric

material when exposed to an electric field. This phenomenon is key to
understanding how materials react to external electric fields.

•In materials like dielectrics, the electric field induces a slight

separation of positive and negative charges, creating dipoles, even if
the material is electrically neutral.

•The electric displacement field D accounts for both the applied electric
field and the contribution from the polarization of the material.
A dielectric is a material that does not conduct electricity
but can support an electrostatic field. In other words,
dielectrics are insulators that can be polarized by an
applied electric field. When a dielectric material is placed
in an electric field, its dipoles align with the field, creating
polarization.
Electric Susceptibility
Definition:
Electric susceptibility (χe) is a measure of how easily a material becomes polarized when
exposed to an external electric field. It quantifies the extent to which a material's polarization is
induced by the applied electric field, and it is a key parameter in understanding the behavior of
dielectric materials.
Mathematical Expression:
Electric susceptibility is defined by the relation:
P=ε0χeE

Electric Displacement Field (D)

The electric displacement field D in a material is related to the applied electric field E
and the polarization P of the material. It is defined as:
D=ε0E+P
The Nature Of Dielectric Materials
• A dielectric in an electric field can be viewed as a free-space arrangement of
microscopic electric dipoles, each of which is composed of a positive and a
negative charge whose centers do not quite coincide. These are not free
charges, and they cannot contribute to the conduction process. Rather, they
are bound in place by atomic and molecular forces and can only shift
positions slightly in response to external fields. They are called bound
charges, in contrast to the free charges that determine conductivity.
• The dielectric materials has an ability to store electric energy. This storage
takes place by means of a shift in the relative positions of the internal,
bound positive and negative charges against the normal molecular and
atomic forces.
• This displacement against a restraining force is analogous to lifting a weight
or stretching a spring and represents potential energy. The source of the
energy is the external field, the motion of the shifting charges resulting
perhaps in a transient current through a battery that is producing the field.
Polar Molecules
Polar molecules, have a permanent displacement existing between the
centers of “gravity” of the positive and negative charges, and each pair of
charges acts as a dipole.
Non-polar Molecules
A nonpolar molecule does not have this dipole arrangement until after a field
is applied. The negative and positive charges shift in opposite directions
against their mutual attraction and produce a dipole that is aligned with the
electric field.
Polarization
An atom of the dielectric can be considered as two superimposed positive and
negative charges as in figure below. Upon the application of an electric field,
the positive charge moves in the direction of applied field and the negative
charges move in the opposite direction, and the phenomenon is called
polarization. The direction of polarization is from “-” to “+” charges, i.e, in the
direction of E field.

Fig: Diploe moment

The diploe moment p is given as,
p= Qd (Coulomb-meters)
Where,
Q is the positive one of the two bound charges composing the dipole,
d is the vector from the negative to the positive charge.
If there are “n” dipoles per unit volume then there are n∆ν dipoles in a volume
∆ν, and the total dipole moment is obtained by the vector sum,
Let us define the polarization P (denoted by capital P) as the dipole moment per
unit volume,

Unit is, Coulomb/m2

For isotropic dielectric materials, the linear relationship between P and E is

𝑷 = 𝜒𝒆𝜖0𝑬…….(i)
Where, χe (chi) is a dimensionless quantity called the electric susceptibility of
the material.
D is now defined in more general terms, as we are taking polarization in
account,
D = 𝜖0E + P…….(ii)
Using equation (i) and (ii), we get

But, we know,

Thus, 𝜖r = χe + 1 is a relative permittivity or dielectric constant of the materials.

Boundary Conditions For Perfect Dielectric Materials

The boundary between perfect dielectrics of permittivity 𝜖1 and 𝜖2. The

continuity of DN is shown by the Gaussian surface on the right, and the
continuity of Etan is shown by the line integral about the closed path at the left.
Let us first consider the interface between two dielectrics having permittivity 𝜖1
and 𝜖2 and occupying regions 1 and 2, as shown in Figure above.
Examining tangential components by using,

Around the small closed path abcda. The integral must be broken up into four
parts,

Around the small closed path on the left, obtaining

The small contribution to the line integral by the normal component of E along
the sections of length∆h becomes negligible as ∆h decreases, then
Etan1 = Etan2.......(i)
Equation (i) shows that the tangential electric field intensity is continuous
across the boundary. We may write equation (i) as,

i.e, the tangential component flux density is discontinuous across the

boundary.
On examining normal component by using,
From Gauss’ law

DN1 − DN2 = ρS
If no free charges exist at the interface, (i.e, charges are not deliberately placed
there), 𝜌𝑠 = 0, then
DN1 − DN2 =0,
or, DN1 = DN2 ……(ii)
Equation (ii) shows that the normal electric flux density is continuous across
the boundary. We may write equation (ii) as,
𝜖1EN1 = 𝜖2EN2
𝜖
Or, EN1 = 𝜖2 EN2
1
Which shows that the normal component of electric field intensity is
discontinuous across the boundary.

Let us consider trh refraction of D at dielectric interference between two

regions, 𝜖1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜖2 (𝜖1 > 𝜖2). Let D1 and E1 makes an angle 𝜃1 with a normal
surface.
The refraction of D at a dielectric interface.
Since, normal components of D are continuous,
DN1 = DN2
Or, 𝐷1𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃1 = 𝐷2𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃2
𝐷1 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃2
Or, = ………(*)
𝐷2 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃1

Since, the tangential component of D are discontinuous,

Or, …….(**)
From (*) and (**)

𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃2 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃1 𝜖1
=
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃1 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃2 𝜖2

𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 1 𝜖1
Or, =
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 2 𝜖2

Since, 𝜖1 > 𝜖2, 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃1 > 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃2

Therefore, 𝜃1 > 𝜃2
The magnitude of D in region 2 may be found as,

The magnitude of E in region 2 may be found as,

Capacitance
• Capacitance measures the capability of energy storage in electrical devices. A
capacitor is a device that stores energy; energy thus stored can either be
associated with accumulated charge or it can be related to the stored electric
field.
• Let us consider two conductors embedded in a homogeneous dielectric as in
figure below:

Fig: Two oppositely charged conductors

M1 and M2 surrounded by a uniform dielectric.
The ratio of the magnitude of the
charge on either conductor to the magnitude of
the potential difference between them is the
capacitance C.
• Let conductor M2 carries a total positive charge Q, and M1 carries an equal
negative charge. There are no other charges present, and the total charge of
the system is zero.
• We now know that the charge is carried on the surface as a surface charge
density and also that the electric field is normal to the conductor surface. Each
conductor is, moreover, an equipotential surface. Because M2 carries the
positive charge, the electric flux is directed from M2 to M1, and M2 is at the
more positive potential. In other words, work must be done to carry a positive
charge from M1 to M2.
• Let V0 be the potential difference between M2 and M1. Capacitance can be
defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the total charge on either conductor
to the magnitude of the potential difference between conductors,
C= Q
V0
We know,
𝑄 = ∫𝑆 𝑫. 𝑑𝒔
Then,

The capacitance is independent of the potential and total charge, for their ratio
is constant. If the charge density is increased by a factor of N, Gauss’s law
indicates that the electric flux density or electric field intensity also increases
by N, as does the potential difference.
The capacitance is a function only of the physical dimensions of the system of
conductors and of the permittivity of the homogeneous dielectric.
Parallel-plate Capacitor
• Let us consider two identical conductor of infinite length are kept in parallel
configurations along z-axis. Let the lower conducting plate be kept at z=0
plane and upper at z=d plane.
• Let surface charge density of ±𝜌𝑠 is spread over the conducting plates as in
figure below.

Fig: The problem of the parallel-plate capacitor.

The capacitance per square meter of
surface area is 𝜖\d.
The electric field between the parallel plates is given as,
𝑬 = 𝜌𝑠 az
𝜖
Where, 𝜖 is permittivity of the homogenous dielectric.
The potential difference between lower and upper planes is

We know,
Then, we get capacitance “C” as,

Finally, the total energy stored in the capacitor is

Thus,
Poisson’s and Laplace’s Equation
 Poisson’s and Laplace’s Equation

which is Poisson’s equation and is true for a homogeneous region in which 𝜖 is constant
which is Laplace’s equation.

Let’s assume a volume charge density 𝜌𝑣 = 0, but allowing point

charges, surface charges and line charges to exist at singular
locations as sources of the field then,
for,
 Uniqueness Theorem

Let’s assume V1 and V2 are two solutions.

…….(i)

Let the given potential values on the boundaries be Vb.

Then, V1b = V2b = Vb ……..(ii)
If we represent the scalar V as V1 − V2 , and the vector 𝐷 as (V1 − V2)
then equation (iii) becomes

Using divergence theorem,

For this, we must have
The constant can be evaluated to be
zero. So,

2. For Poisson’s Equation

Poisson’s equation is given by
𝜌𝑣
𝛻2𝑉=−
𝜖
Let us assume two solutions of Poisson’s equation, V1 and V2
Therefore,
2 𝜌𝑣
𝛻 𝑉1 = −
𝜖
𝜌
and 𝛻2𝑉 2 = − 𝑣
𝜖
Or, 𝛻2(𝑉1 − 𝑉2) = 0
Now proceed as in the case of Laplace’s equation.
 Boundary Value Problems
1. One Dimensional Boundary Value Problems Using Laplace’s equation,

Or,

Let us consider a parallel plate capacitor

with potential V0 on one plate, and zero
on the other. Since V is the function of
only one variable (x-coordinate in this
case), it is called one dimensional We know,
boundary value problem.