Interaction Energy of a Dielectric in an Electrostatic Field

Abstract

A straightforward computation of the interaction field energy of a dielectric in a uniform external electrostatic field appears to yield a result different from that given by a general theorem. It is shown here that the discrepancy can be resolved by considering the uniform field of infinite extent to be the limit of a field of finite extent. A recent paper by M. S. Plesset and G. Venezian is discussed (Am. J. Phys. 32:860, (1964)).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0629919

Entities

People

  • Dennis Holliday
  • Victor Gilinsky

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics