Mutual Electrostatic Energy Derivation.

In summary, the conversation discusses the derivation of the mutual electrostatic energy for two charged systems. The equation for U_{12} is given, and it is clarified that E and \phi represent vector and potential fields, respectively. The correct equations are provided, and the question is raised about why (1)=0 in the first line.
  • #1
MathematicalPhysicist
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i don't quite understand the derivation of mutual electrostatic energy of two charged system:
[tex]U_12=\frac{1}{4\pi}\intE_1(dot)E_2dV=-\frac{1}{4\pi}\intE_1(dot)\nebla\phi_2 dV= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int \phi_2(dot)\nebla(dot)E_1=\int \phi_2*\rho_1dV[/tex]
i undersantd that we are using here: [tex] (1)=\nebla(\phiE)=E(dot)\nebla\phi+\phi*\nebla(dot)E[/tex]

but why then (1)=0 here?

thanks.
 
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  • #2
Your Latex is garbled. Use U_{12} for subsrcipts and \cdot instead of \dot.
There are too m any other misprints to make sense of it.
 
  • #3
a correction:
[tex]U_{12}=\frac{1}{4\pi}\int E_1 \cdot E_2 dV=-\frac{1}{4\pi}\int E_1 \cdot \nabla\phi_2 dV= \frac{1}{4\pi}\int \phi_2 \nabla \cdot E_1 \cdot da= \int \phi_2 * \rho_1 dV[/tex]
[tex] (1)=\nabla(\phi E)=E\cdot \nabla \phi+ \phi * \nabla \cdot E[/tex]
where E is a vector field, and phi is a potential field.
i want to understand why in the first equations (the first line) why we get that (1)=0, i hope now the latex is better.
 
Last edited:

Related to Mutual Electrostatic Energy Derivation.

1. What is mutual electrostatic energy?

Mutual electrostatic energy refers to the energy that exists between two charged objects due to their electric fields interacting with each other.

2. How is mutual electrostatic energy derived?

Mutual electrostatic energy can be derived using the equation E = k(q1q2)/r, where E is the mutual electrostatic energy, k is the Coulomb constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the two objects, and r is the distance between them.

3. What factors affect the magnitude of mutual electrostatic energy?

The magnitude of mutual electrostatic energy is affected by the charges of the two objects, the distance between them, and the medium in which they are located. It is also affected by the dielectric constant, which is a measure of how easily a material can be polarized by an external electric field.

4. How does mutual electrostatic energy relate to Coulomb's law?

Coulomb's law states that the force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Mutual electrostatic energy is derived from Coulomb's law and is a measure of the potential energy between two charged objects.

5. What are some real-world applications of mutual electrostatic energy?

Mutual electrostatic energy has many practical applications, such as in electronic devices, electrostatic precipitators for air pollution control, and in the production of static electricity for industrial processes. It is also essential in understanding and modeling the behavior of atoms and molecules in chemistry and biology.

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