Electromagnetic phenomena

To find the magnetic vector potential of a rotating, uniformly charged spherical shell. Vector potential, magnetic field intensity (mag induction) and current density are the most basic parameters of magnetostatics.

Magnetic vector potential of a rotating uniformly charged shell.

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Today we will solve the problem of finding magnetic vector potential of a rotating, uniformly charged spherical shell. We won’t discuss the general idea behind the vector potential (how it follows from Helmholtz theorem, and gauge freedom etc) and how its defined. That will be part of a conceptual lecture and will be available when the same would be created. The offline version is available, but the web version will call for a special priority to be assigned.

The problem is quite well defined. We just need to follow the straightforward method of implementing the basic definitions and carrying out the required steps. But we need to be mindful of the framework in which we need to accomplish these steps.

The framework I am talking about here is the coordinate system we need to set in order to solve the problem. Notice that the problem has been stated in the spherical coordinate system (which has been discussed couple of times in this website). But we need not worry about all the aspects of this coordinate system, we will only pick on those which are immediately applicable to our problem.

While this choice of the system where the polar axis (z-axis, wrt which the polar angle θ is measured in a r, θ, φ spherical coordinate system) coincides with the angular velocity vector ω is very natural, it isn’t the most convenient for carrying out the ensuing integral for the vector potential A.

Ampere’s law application: infinite surface current, diagram. An infinite sheet of current in xy plane with Amperian loop. We like to determine its magnetic field by Ampere's Law.

Example 5.7; Application of Ampere’s law.

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The following problem is an interesting application of Ampere’s law apart from usual applications found in honors syllabus (eg infinite straight conductor, Solenoid and Torroid). This is to be found the excellent book by Griffith on Electrodynamics. 

Find the magnetic field of an infinite uniform surface current K (vect) = K i-cap, flowing over the XY-plane.

Lets first visualize the problem. This will help us solve the problem. We chose a Cartesian coordinate system as shown. Our infinite surface current is a sheet that is concurrent with the XY-plane. We also show the Ampere loop which is a rectangle of length l parallel to the y-axis. This loop is half above the XY-plane and half below. 

The northern light or aurora is an electromagnetic phenomenon, produced due to motion of charged cosmic particles entering earth's magnetic field.

Helmholtz theorem in electrodynamics, Gauge transformation.

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Electromagnetic theory, lecture — IV

Topics covered in this lecture

a. Helmholtz theorem — in electrodynamics

b. Gauge transformation — of scalar and vector potential in electrodynamics

c. Coulomb and Lorentz gauge

All electromagnetic theory lectures of this series, will be found here (https://mdashf.org/category/electromagnetic-theory/)

In our previous lecture — lecture — III, we discussed in quite detail, the problem of electrostatics and magneto-statics.

We understood how deeply the Helmholtz theorems formulate the entire question of these two branches of electromagnetic phenomena.

But static problems are not sufficient for any rigorous treatment of the electromagnetic theory.

We promised in that lecture to study how Helmholtz theorems lend their magical power to understand the most general nature of electromagnetic phenomena.

In this lecture we will study precisely the applicability of Helmholtz theorems to the problem of electrodynamics and we will see how it leads to a great deal of success in advancing the ability to solve electromagnetic problems of a great variety. 

Boundary conditions on electric and magnetic field: When electric or magnetic fields go across the boundary of material media their values might or might not change. There are 4 possibilities and we derive them in this article. These values depend upon the surface current charge densities and the volume charge densities present on the surface of the media. Accordingly the tangential and normal components of electric and magnetic fields have 4 different possibilities. 2 of these change and are named as discontinuous while the other two don't change and are therefore called as continuous. Photo Credit: mdashf.org

Boundary conditions on electric and magnetic fields.

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Electromagnetic theory, Lecture — II. 

Boundary conditions on Electric and magnetic fields in Maxwell’s equations

Topics covered

A. Summary of Maxwell’s equations — in free space and in material media

B. Integral forms of Maxwell’s equations — by application of vector calculus

C. Derivation of boundary conditions — on electric and magnetic fields

In the last lecture we formulated the Maxwell’s equations, for free space as well as any material medium in their differential form.

Remember that we say free space to mean that the sources of charge densities and sources of current densities that experience our field vectors, viz. $latex vec{E}$ and $latex vec{B}$ — which are produced by other source densities of charges and currents, are non-existent.

That is there is no hindrance or onlookers our $latex vec{E}$ and $latex vec{B}$ fields meet on their way when they go on a sojourn, in that space. I also hear they call it by the name vacuum. As far as I know I testify, there is no difference between vacuum and free space.

Vacuum simply means for our purpose and many others, there is no glimpse of matter in the space of consideration. It is therefore the simplest of situation to harp on, before we can target our intelligence for achieving more complicated scenario, and yes there certainly are such situations and they take most of our coveted attention in asking us to solve them. 

And sooner than later we would be on our toes trying to grasp the burden the more complicated situations would unleash our way. For the time being we focus on free space which means the sources are zero.

Again by sources we mean, not the sources that produce our vector field $latex vec{E}$ and $latex vec{B}$ but the ones that interact with them, in the path of our fields.