PHY 5346

HW Set 4 Solutions – Kimel

1. 2.8 The system is pictured below

a) Using the known potential for a line charge, the two line charges above give the potential
′
φr⃗ = 1 λ ln rr = V, a constant. Let us define V ′ = 4π 0 V
2π 0
Then the above equation can be written
r ′ 2 = e Vλ′ or r ′2 = r 2 e Vλ′
r
⃗ , the above can be written
Writing r ′2 = ⃗r − R
2

2
V′
⃗r + ẑ R = R2e λ
V′ V′
e λ − 1 e λ − 1 2
V′
The equation is that of a circle whose center is at −ẑ R
V′
, and whose radius is a = Re 2λ
V′
e λ −1 e λ −1
b) The geometry of the system is shown in the fugure.

Note that
d = R + d1 + d2
with
d1 = R , d2 = R
V ′a −V ′b
−1 −1
e λ e λ

and
′
Va −V ′b

a = ReV ′a
2λ
, b = Re
−V ′b
2λ

e λ − 1 e λ − 1
Forming
 2 2 2
′
Va −V ′b

d −a −b =
2 2 2
R+ R + R − Re 2λ − Re 2λ
V ′a −V ′b V ′a −V ′b
−1
e λ e λ −1 e λ − 1 e λ − 1
or
V ′a −V ′b
R2 e λ +1
d2 − a2 − b2 = −V ′b
V ′a
e λ − 1e λ − 1
Thus we can write
V ′a −V ′b
e λ +1 V ′a −V ′b − V ′a −V ′b
d2 − a2 − b2 = +e V ′a − V ′b
−V ′b
= e 2λ 2λ
= cosh
2ab V ′a 2 2λ
2e 2λ e 2λ

or
V a − V b = 1 cosh −1 d 2 − a 2 − b 2
λ 2π 0 2ab
Capacitance/unit length = C =
Q/L
= λ = 2π 0
L Va − Vb Va − Vb cosh −1 d 2 −a 2 −b 2
2ab
′
c) Suppose a << d , and b << d , and a = ab , then
2 2 2 2

C = 2π 0 2π 0
= 2 1−a 2 +b 2 /d 2
L −1 d 2 −a 2 −b 2 −1 d
cosh ′2 cosh
2a 2a ′2

d 2 1 − a 2 + b 2 /d 2 
cosh −1 = 2π 0 L
2a ′2 C
d 2 1 − a 2 + b 2 /d 2 
2π 0 L

= e C
+ negligible terms if 2π 0 L >> 1
2a ′2 2 C
or
d 2 1 − a 2 + b 2 /d 2 
ln = 2π 0 L
a ′2 C
or
C = 2π 0
L d 2 1−a 2 +b 2 /d 2
ln a ′2

Let us defind α 2 = a 2 + b 2 /d 2 , then

C = 2π 0 = 2π  0d 2 + 2π 2 0d 2 α 2 + Oα 4 
L d 2 1−α 2
ln a ′2 ln a ′2
ln a ′2

The first term of this result agree with problem 1.7, and the second term gives the appropriate
correction asked for.
d) In this case, we must take the opposite sign for d 2 − a 2 − b 2 , since a 2 + b 2 > d 2 . Thus
C = 2π 0
L −1 a 2 +b 2 −d 2
cosh 2a ′2

If we use the identiy, lnx + x 2 − 1  = cosh −1 x, G.&R., p. 50., then for d = 0
 C = 2π 0 2π 0
a 2 +b 2 2 −b 2 =
L ln + a2ab ln ab
2ab
in agreement with problem 1.6.