Electric Field and Potential Distributions for Unequal Spheres Using Symmetric and Asymmetric Applied Voltages

The electrostatic field and the potential distributions between a pair of spherical electrodes having unequal diameters are calculated using the charge simulation method when symmetric (+ V/2 and -V/2) and asymmetric (V and 0) voltages are applied across the gap. The variation of the electric field and the potential along the shortest distance between the spheres are studied over a wide range of sphere diameters (ratio 0. 1 to 50) and a range of gap separation to sphere radius (ratio 0.05 to 100). The present results are compared with those previously determined in a restricted range of diameter ratios, using a finite difference method for solving the Laplace equation. Good agreement is obtained.