# Dealing with the electrostatic boundary condition

In Griffiths, it is noted that there is a discontinuity in the electric field for a material with a surface charge density.

What is the significance of this boundary condition in practicality when calcuating the electric fields of say, a conductor, where all the charge is located at the surface (because there can be no electric field in the "meat" of the conductor)?

For instance, say I want to find the electric field everywhere for a metal conducting sphere of radius $$a$$.

I can deduce that the only existent charge density is that of a surface charge density $$\sigma$$ as the object is conducting.

By application of Gauss' Law, I can show that for $$r, $$\mathbf E = 0$$ as there is no enclosed charge until $$r=a$$.

For $$r \ge a$$, I can envelop the sphere in a Gaussian surface with radius $$r$$ such that $$r \ge a$$.

$$\implies \oint \mathbf E \cdot \hat n \ dS = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0} = \frac{\sigma A}{\epsilon_0}$$

$$\implies |\mathbf E| \ 4 \pi r^2 = \frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0} 4 \pi a^2$$

$$\implies \mathbf E = \frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0} \frac{a^2}{r^2} \hat r$$

Perhaps I've just found the answer to my question by considering $$\mathbf E (r=a)$$? However, $$\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0} \hat n$$ seems to be a change in $$\mathbf E$$ as it is $$\mathbf E_{above} - \mathbf E_{below}$$, so why is it a value at $$r =a$$ here, and not, for instance, the change in $$\mathbf E$$ for $$\mathbf E (a - dr) \to \mathbf E (a + dr)$$?

• Because $\mathbf E (a + dr) \approx \mathbf E(a)$ and $\mathbf E (a - dr) = 0$? Not sure I understand what problem you are seeing. – NickD Apr 3 at 19:44
• @NickD If $\mathbf E(a+dr) \approx \mathbf E(a)$ then why is $\mathbf E(a-dr) = 0$ and not $\mathbf E(a-dr) \approx \mathbf E(a)$? – sangstar Apr 3 at 19:45
• Because the latter is the field inside the sphere which is 0. There is a discontinuity. – NickD Apr 3 at 20:01

You cannot use Gauss's law in its integral form in such a direct way for closed surface that coincides with charged sphere (case $$r=a$$). The reason is the electric field is discontinuous on the sphere and the expression
$$\oint_{charged~sphere} \mathbf E\cdot d\mathbf S$$ makes no sense.
To find electric field at points on the sphere ($$r=a$$), one must go back to roots, i.e. definition of electric field (electric force acting on charged body divided by charge on that body). One can do so by calculating force acting on a small piece of the charged sphere. The result is one half of electric field just above the charged surface, i.e. $$\frac{1}{2}\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}$$.