Field and Wave Electromagnetics 2nd Edition by David Cheng

Exercise 39

A long, grounded conducting cylinder of radius b is placed along the z -axis in an initially uniform electric field E 0 = a x E 0. Determine potential distribution V ( r, )and electric field intensity E ( r, )outside the cylinder. Show that the electric field intensity at the surface of the cylinder may be twice as high as that in the distance, which may cause a local breakdown or corona. (This phenomenon of corona discharge along the rigging and spars of ships and on airplanes near storms is known as St. Elmo's fire. )