Energetics and stability of discrete charge distribution on the surface of a sphere

Oymak H., Erkoc S.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODERN PHYSICS C, cilt.12, sa.2, ss.293-305, 2001 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 12 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2001
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1142/s0129183101001699
  • Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODERN PHYSICS C
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.293-305
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

We have investigated the minimum-energy distribution of N, 3 less than or equal to N less than or equal to 97, equal point charges confined to the surface of a sphere. Charges interact with each other via the Coulomb potential of the form 1/r. Minimum-energy distributions have been determined by minimizing the tangential forces on each charge. Further numerical evidence shows that in the minimum-energy state of N charges on the sphere, it is not possible to place a charge at the geometrical center. Besides, it has been found that the most and reliable information about the relative stability properties of the distributions can be obtained with the help of second difference energy consideration.