Abstract
The potential energy interaction between a system of N -charged particles and a spherical conducting surface is obtained by means of direct integration of the electrostatic energy density. Making use of the image charge method, we show that the full potential can be split into a sum of one-body central potentials and two-body contributions related to particle–particle and particle–sphere interactions. Analytical expressions are provided for all contributions. The spherical surface of radius R can be considered to correspond to a cavity inside a conductor or a metallic ball, with two different electric conditions, namely the grounded and isolated charged cases. By taking the limit R → ∞ of the spherical case, one recovers the image potential for an N -charged particle system interacting with a planar conductor. While the final results for the potential do not appear as unexpected, the provided analytical expressions should help in diverse physical applications modelled by a number of charged particles interacting close to a spherical surface.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
