1
$\begingroup$

I have an electric potential which, through separation of variables, can be written as $$\phi (x,y)= X(x) \cdot Y(y) =\sum_{n=0}^\infty Cn\cdot \cos(k_n x)\cdot \sinh (k_n y)$$ with $C_n $ and $k_n$ constants which come from my boundary conditions. To find the equations for the electric field lines, we can use the fact that: $$\frac{d x}{E_x}=\frac{d y}{E_y}$$ But since the electric potential is written in terms of an infinite sum, the outcome for $y(x)$, after calculating $E_x$ and $E_y$ and eliminating the constants, would be: $$y(x)=\int \frac{Ey}{Ex}dx=\int \frac{\sum_{n=0}^\infty \sin(k_nx)\sinh(k_ny)}{\sum_{n=0}^\infty \cos(k_nx)\cosh(k_ny)}dx$$ Which seems impossible to inegrate. Is there another way to get the equations of the electric field lines in this case?

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

0
$\begingroup$

Since $\frac{dy}{dx}$ gives us the variation of the curves throughout the plane, we can use it to analysize the electric field lines without finding the full equations.

By evaluating the differential, $\frac{dy}{dx}$, at the system's boundary points, we can then use that information to try to map the electric field lines and verify our results by confronting them with the frontier-conditions.

Eventhough this doesn't allow us to solve the problem analytically, it gives a good insight into how the electric field lines behave.

Alternatively, we can use the information about the electric field itself to map the lines using Python or other programming software.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.