Poisson and Laplace electrostatic boundary problems
Electrostatic potential obeys ∇²φ=−ρ/ε₀ in vacuum; charge-free regions obey Laplace's equation.
Key knowledge
Electrostatic potential obeys ∇²φ=−ρ/ε₀ in vacuum; charge-free regions obey Laplace's equation. Specifying φ on the full boundary gives a unique Dirichlet solution. Compatible normal-derivative data give a Neumann solution up to an additive constant on a connected domain.
Values and equations
∇²φ=−ρ/ε₀; E=−∇φ; ∮_∂V ∂_nφ dS=−∫_Vρ dV/ε₀
- φ
- Electrostatic potential V
- E
- Electric field V m⁻¹
- ρ
- Volume charge density C m⁻³
- ε₀
- Vacuum permittivity F m⁻¹
- n
- Outward unit normal
- dS,dV
- Area and volume elements m²; m³
Conditions and scope
- Specified regular domain, source and sufficient boundary/infinity data; Neumann flux must satisfy the volume-source integral.
- Uniqueness does not itself compute the solution; Green functions or separation of variables implement the boundary data.
Sources · 2
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Richard Fitzpatrick / University of Texas at Austin2 sources
Evidence and review
Classical Electromagnetism (2014): Boundary value problems: Poisson equation, Dirichlet uniqueness and Neumann compatibility/constant freedom. Classical Electromagnetism (2014): Dirichlet problem in spherical coordinates: Equations 371–381: Green representation and spherical-harmonic separation.
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