ECEG 2210

ECEG 2210
Electromagnetic Fields

Electric Fields in Material Space (Cont’d)

Electric Fields in Material Space (Cont’d)
Electric Fields in Material Space (Cont d)

I. Continuity Equation and Relaxation Time

II. Boundary Conditions

a. Di l t i Di l t i B
Dielectric-Dielectric Boundary
d C
Conditions
diti

b. Conductor-Dielectric Boundaryy Conditions

c. Conductor-Free Space Boundary Conditions

 Continuity Equation and Relaxation Time
charge conservation: the time rate of decrease of charge 
within a given volume must be equal to the net outward 
current flow through the closed surface of the volume.

− dQin
∫
I out = J ⋅ dS =
S
dt
Where Qin, is the enclosed charge and it calls for the divergence theorem and therefore:
Where Q is the enclosed charge and it calls for the divergence theorem and therefore:

∫ J ⋅ d S = ∫ ∇ ⋅ J dv
S v
But ,

Is called continuity of 
∴ and
current equation
current equation

For steady currents, 
y , and 

⇒ the total charge leaving a volume is the same as the total charge entering it.
 Continuity Equation and Relaxation Time (Cont’d)

From: and ;

Ex Show that the following eqn is true

Ex. Show that the following eqn. is true.

From which                                      Can be derived.

Where the relaxation or rearrangement time
Relaxation time is the lime it takes a charge 
Relaxation time is the lime it takes a charge
placed in the interior of a material to drop to 
drop to e ‐1 =36.8 percent of its final value.
 Boundary Conditions
Conditions that electric field must satisfy at an interface separating a media 
are boundary conditions.
With the conditions, it is possible to determine the field on one side of the 
boundary if that on the other side is known.
Maxwell's equations need to be applied to determine the conditions:
ll' d b l d d h d

and

Also, the electric field intensity need to be decomposed into orthogonal 
tangential and normal components. The same can be done to the electric 
flux density:
flux density:
 A. Dielectric-Dielectric Boundary Conditions

Consider the figures below:

E, undergoes no change on the boundary 
As Δh ---> 0
and is continuous across the boundary.

(a) (b) 6
A. Dielectric-Dielectric Boundary Conditions (Cont’d)

Since,

Applying to the pill box and allowing

If no free charges exist at the interface ρs = 0
D n undergoes no change at the boundary
D  undergoes no change at the boundary

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 A. Dielectric-Dielectric Boundary Conditions (Cont’d)

To determine the "refraction" of the 
electric field across the interface.
Ex. Show that the following is true.

is the law of refraction of the 
is the law of refraction of the
electric field at a boundary 
free of charge ρS = 0
B. Conductor-Dielectric Boundary Conditions

Considering figure (a)

As Δh Æ 0; Et = 0
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B. Conductor-Dielectric Boundary Conditions (Cont’d)

With                                          applied to  the pillbox of figure (b) and Δh -> 0

Inside the conductor

Thus under static conditions, the following conclusions can be made about a 
p
perfect conductor:
1. No electric field may exist within a conductor; that is,
2. a conductor is an equipotential body 
3. The electric field E can be external to the conductor and normal to its 
surface; 

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C. Conductor-Free Space Boundary Conditions
Consider the figure below.

For εr=1 (free space)

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 SUMMARY
1. Materials can be classified roughly as conductors (σ >> 1, εr =1) and
dielectrics (σ << 1, εr ≥1) in terms of their electrical properties σ and εr
where σ is the conductivity and εr is the dielectric constant or relative
permittivity.
2. Electric current is the flux of electric current density through a surface;
that is,
is

3. The resistance of a conductor of uniform cross section is

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SUMMARY (Cont’d)

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