Problem Set-5

PH11001 (Spring 2019-20)

Electrodynamics, Electromagnetic waves.

February 10, 2020

1. Flux through a given surface

(a) Consider a tiny (point) dipole sitting at the origin, pointing towards the z axis. Consider
the distance between the positive and negative charge d  1 units. The dipole moment
of the dipole is given by p~ = pk̂. Its Electric field is given by
 
~ 1 p · r̂)r̂
3(~ p~
E(x, y, z) = − 3
4π0 r3 r

Find the flux of this electric field through the hemisphere given by x2 +y 2 +z 2 = 1, z ≥ 0.
(b) Consider spherical polar coordinates (r, θ, φ), which has the usual relation with cartesian
coordinates (x, y, z). Also (î, ĵ, k̂) are unit vectors along x, y and z respectively. Now
the magnetic field in a region is given by
 
~ θ, φ) = B0 − sin φ î + cos φ ĵ ,
B(r,

where B0 is a constant. Calculate the flux of this magnetic field through the x = 0
plane (in the positive x-direction).

2. Faraday’s law
A current configuration creates a time-dependent electric and magnetic field given, in cylin-
drical polar coordinates, by (consider spherical polar coordinates (r, θ, φ))

−t
~ = e k̂
B
r

Now consider a moving loop of wire C(t) in this electric and magnetic field. This loop is a
circular loop and it lies in the z = 0 plane with its center at the origin, and it has a time
varying radius R(t) = 1+t. Find the induced EMF in this loop. Clearly explain the origin(s)
of this EMF in the loop.

3. Electromagnetic waves
The Electric and magnetic field in a region is given by

~ = E0 î cos ω t − z ~ = B0 ĵ cos ω t − z
     
E , B ,
c c

where E0 , B0 and ω are constants and c is the speed of light in vacuum.

~ and B
Calculate the divergence and curl of E ~ in the given region. From your answer, can
you predict the charge density and current density in the given region?

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4. Poynting Vector
Consider a steady current I resulting in the charging of a circular parallel plate capacitor as
shown below. The charge is zero at time t =EQUATIONS
7.3. MAXWELL'S 0, when the steady current starts flowing and325
a uniform surface charge density starts developing with the flow of the current. An external
agency is responsible to maintain the steady current.

/ /

w
(a) (b)

Figure 7.44
(a) Find the electric and magnetic fields in the gap, as a function of time. Ignore any edge
effects (you can thinking of finding the electric and magnetic fields deep inside the gap
away from the edges). (b) Find the displacement current through a circle of radius s in the plane midway between the
plates. Using this circle as your "Amperian loop," and the flat surface that spans it, find the
(b) Calculate the energy density magnetic
and the at a distance svector
fieldPoynting from the axis.
inside the gap.
(c) Repeat part (b), but this time use the cylindrical surface in Fig. 7.44b, which extends to
the left through the plate and terminates outside the capacitor. Notice that the displacement
5. Radiation pressure current through this surface is zero, and there are two contributions to /enc. 14

Consider a situation as shown in the following figure. A perfect reflector is attached to the
Problem 7.33 Refer to Prob. 7.16, to which the correct answer was
mass of a spring-mass system; a beam of plane electromagnetic waves is incident on the
fLO/OW
E(s, t) = - - sin(wt) In - (Q) z.
A

reflector and reflected away. 271: S

(a) Find the displacement current density Jd.

(b) Integrate it to get the total displacement current,
EM waves

(c) Compare /d and /. (What's their ratio?) If the outer cylinder were, say, 2 mm in diameter,
how high would the frequency have to be, for /d to be 1% of I? [This problem is designed to
indicate why Faraday never discovered displacement currents, and why it is ordinarily safe to
ignore them unless the frequency
Perfectis reflector
extremely high.]
(with area A)

14This problem raises an interesting quasi-philosophical question: If you measure B in the laboratory, have you
detected the effects of displacement current (as (b) would suggest), or merely confirmed the effects of ordinary
The beam of plane electromagnetic wave is incident on the mass m at time t=0 and is kept
currents (as (c) implies)? See D. F. Bartlett, Am. J. Phs. 58, 1168 (1990).
on upto time t = τ . At t = 0, the mass m is at rest and is located at the equilibrium position
of the spring. The electric field in the beam of light is given by

~ = E0 k̂ cos ω t − x
  
E
c

Find the amplitude of oscillation after for time t > τ .

q
k
Note that we should assume ω  m and the area A is big enough so that it can be
considered as a macroscopic object where radiation pressure due to the beam can act.

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