9/1/2015

Boundary Condition Example

The boundary between two media exists on the x-y plane, with
region 1 being defined by z > 0 and region 2 defined by z < 0. If
the relative permittivity is 1 in region 1 and it is 4 in region 2, find
the electric field in region 2 given the electric field in region 1
below: E 5a 2a 8a Volts/m
1

Solution: Since the tangential components of E are the same on

either side of the boundary, the x and y components of E in
region 2 will be the same as in region 1.
The normal component of D (Dz) is the same on either side of a
boundary, so 1Ez1=2Ez2 (recalling that D = E)

Thus: Ez 2

1
1
E z1 8 2
2
4

We can now write: E2 5ax 2a y 2a z Volts/m

Boundary Condition Example #2

Region 1 is defined by f(x,y,z) = -x + 5y - 6z > 4, and region 2 is
defined by f(x,y,z) < 4.
If E1 3ax 2a y az find E2 given that r1 1 and r2 5
The unit vector normal to the boundary is an

a 5a y 6a z
f ( x, y, z )
x

f ( x, y, z )
62

Pick either + or -, and reference both E1 and E2 to the same normal

The vector component of E1 normal to the boundary is:
EN 1 E1 an an 0.306a x 1.53a y 1.839a z

Since the normal components of D are equal:

EN 2

2 EN 1 0.0612ax .306a y 0.3768az

The tangential components of E are equal and are given by:

ET 1 ET 2 E EN 1 2.69a x 0.47a y 0.839a z
Thus: E2 ET 2 EN 2 2.751a x 0.776a y 1.215a z