ELE401 - Field Theory: Tutorial Problems Week 6

1. Develop the expression for C the capacitance for the following geometries by assuming a charge +Q on one surface and Q on the other conducting surface. (a) Figure 1 shows a concentric conducting cylinders with an inner radius = a and an outer cylinder radius = b. Assume inner cylinder carries +Q [C ] of charge, therefore the outer one has Q [C ]. Develop the expression for C by i. Solving for D then E ii. Next develop Vab iii. Finally C = VQ ab
z

a b

y x
Material between has

Figure 1: A concentric conducting cylinders (b) Figure 2 shows the cross section of concentric conducting spheres (shells). Assume inner shell carries +Q [C ]; then outer carries Q [C ]. Solve for: i. Solve for D, then E ii. Next the Voltage Vab of the shells 1

iii. Finally C the capacitance (c) (1a) may be recalculated if V (a) = Vo and V (b) = 0. (d) (1b) can be reworked when the voltage is known i.e. V (a) = Vo and V (b) = 0.
z

Material between has

Figure 2: The cross section of concentric conducting spheres

2. (a) Same type of cylinders of length L as in (1a) is shown in Figure 3. Only now there is a dielectric material in part of the space between the plates, and there is a know voltage on the plates. If V (a) = +5Vo and V (c) = 2Vo solve for C the capacitance.
y c b
0

Figure 3: A concentric conducting cylinders is viewed from the top. (b) Concentric conducting spherical shells is shown in Figure 4 and the space between the shells is partially lled with a dielectric material. If V (a) = +5Vo and V (c) = 2Vo solve for C .

z c b
0

Figure 4: A concentric conducting spheres carrying surface charges.

Note: For these two problems, (2a) and (2b), use the assume-a-charge approach is possibly easier. Here there is an unknown voltage at the = b or r = b surface which must be dealt with. See the examples in Sadiku on how this is done. (c) Repeat (2a) and (2b) using assume-a-charge approach. i. Concentric cylinders from (2a) ii. Concentric spheres from (2b) 3. Next-still using the two geometric, the concentric cylinders in Figure 5 and concentric spherical shells in Figure 6 - lling only part of the space between the conducting surfaces with dielectric material but in a dierent manner. See below, (a) The L [m] long concentric cylinders is a quarter lled with a dielectric - the rest is free space. The voltage V (b) = +7Vo and V (a) = +3Vo . Solve the Laplace equation for V () and proceed to solve for E and D and nally evaluate C the capacitance. (b) The space between the conducting surfaces is partially lled with a dielectric material. That is the dielectric material occupies the space: a < r < b; 0
2;

again proceed to solve for C the capacitance if V (b) = 3Vo and V (a) = +7Vo . Note: The basic assumption in question (3) is that the E eld must be the same in the free space as in the dielectric material due to stipulation that at the boundary the tangential components must be the same. Here the assume-a-change approach is not the easier one.

Figure 5: A concentric conducting cylinders

Figure 6: A concentric conducting spheres