Homework problems in Electrodymanics

The way to confirm that you have understood something is to see if you
are able to calculate. Hence these are questions designed to give the student
a lot of practice with analytical as well as numerical calculations. Most of
these have already appeared in the lectures at appropriate places. Please
note the following:

• The questions are often long, more like homework problems than ex-
amination problems, and some of them can be approached in multiple
ways. Some of the problems make the student complete parts of the
derivations that are not given completely in the lecture notes.

• Solutions to these problems have not been provided. The student is

expected to think independently about the problems, and take the help
of available experts.

• Some of the questions require numerical calculations using either a

programming language like C / Fortran, or a software like Mathematica
/ Maple / Matlab. If the knowledge of programming is not expected /
softeares are not available, then these questions may be skipped.

• Many questions ask for plots to be made, since they can give a clearer
intuitive picture. Once in a while, the exact values of quantities to be
used for plotting are not given, it is a good skill to be able to choose
values of parameters that bring out the important features in the plots.
The plots may be made by hand, or by using any available plotting
software.

• Some questions also ask for “commenting” on the results, at these

points it is a good idea to try to appreciate the physical significance of
the results.

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1 Module 1
1.1 Uniqueness theorems
1.1.1 Unique vector, given divergence and curl
Show that, given ∇ · V~ = s(~x),
and ∇ × V~ = ~c(~x) (with ∇ · ~c(~x) = 0, of course),
~
if V goes to zero at infinity (fast enough),
then V~ can be uniquely written in terms of s(~x) and ~c(~x).
Indeed the solution can be given as:
~ x)
V = −∇φ(~x) + ∇ × A(~

with
1 Z s(~x) 3 0
φ(~x) = d ~x
4π |~x − ~x0 |
~ 1 Z ~c(~x) 3 0
A(~x) = d ~x
4π |~x − ~x0 |

1.1.2 Unique scalar, given ∇2 φ and boundary conditions

Show that, for a scalar φ(~x),
given ∇2 φ everywhere,
and given φ(~x) or ∇φ · n̂ on a closed surface,
a unique solution for φ(~x) exists.

1.1.3 ~
Unique vector, given ∇ × (∇ × A)
~ x),
Show that, for a vector A(~
given ∇ × (∇ × A)~ everywhere,
and given A~ × n̂ or (∇ × A)
~ × n̂ on a closed surface,
~ x) exists.
a unique solution for A(~

2
1.2 EM waves: reflection and transmission
1.2.1 reflection and transmission coefficients
Let a plane EM wave with frequency ω travelling in free space be incident
on the surface of a dielectric with refractive index n and permeability µ0 ,
at an angle of incidence θI .
Let the electric field of the wave be normal to the plane of incidence, i.e.
parallel to the surface of the dielectric.

• In terms of the parameter α = cos θT / cos θI and β = n, calculate the

reflection coefficient R and the transmission coefficient T .

• Plot these quantities as functions of θI . Is there a “Brewster’s angle”

in this case ?

1.2.2 Polarization from reflection

The polarization of a light beam is defined as
I1 − I2
P =
I1 + I2
where I1 and I2 are the intensities of the two orthogonal polarizations.
If an unpolarized beam of light is incident on a dielectric with refractive
index n and permeability µ0 ,

• Calculate the polarization of the reflected beam of light as a function

of the angle of incidence θI .

• Plot this dependence for n = 1.5. You may use the results on reflection
and transmission coefficients.

1.3 Confined EM waves

1.3.1 Decaying wave at a conducting surface
Inside a conducting medium, an EM wave will propagate as well as decay.
Let the form of the plane wave solution be
~ =E
E ~ 0 e−κx eikx e−iωt .

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 • Find cκ/ω and ck/ω as a functions of ωτ , where τ is the relaxation
time. Show your results in the form of a plot that brings out all the
relevant features. Comment on the plot.

• For an EM wave reflecting normally from the surface of a conductor

~ and the time averaged
with finite σ, calculate the surface current K
value of the Poynting vector N~ into the surface. Hence determine the
“surface resistance” Rs .

1.3.2 Coaxial transmission line

Consider a transmission line consisting of two long co-axial cylinders of radii
a and b with empty space in between (a < b). An AC voltage V = V0 e−iωt
is applied between the cables at one end.

~ the magnetic field B,

• Calculate the electric field E, ~ and the current
I flowing through the transmission line in the form of a TEM wave, as
functions of time. What is the average power P transmitted ?

• For a = 1 cm and b = 2 cm, determine the capacitance, inductance

and conductance of the transmission line for the transmission of TEM
modes in SI units. (Some of these quantities may have to be defined
per unit length, specify these clearly.)

• What are the smallest frequencies at which the TE and TM modes

will be transmitted ?

1.3.3 Cylindrical waveguide

Consider the waves propagating in a cylindrical waveguide, with the form
~ = E(x,
E ~ y)ei(kz z−ωt) , ~ = B(x,
B ~ y)ei(kz z−ωt) .

• Using Maxwell’s equations, calculate Ex , Ey , Bx , By in terms of Ez

and Bz .

• Determine the second-order differential equations that Ez and Bz

should separately satisfy.

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1.3.4 Group velocity inside a waveguide
Let the threshold frequency for a rectangular waveguide of size a × 2a be
ωc .

• Calculate the group velocities vg as functions of frequency ω (in units

of ωc ) for the lowest five TE modes.

• Show their behaviour qualitatively on the same plot, indicating the

relevant values of vg (in units of c) and ω (in units of ωc ) along the
axes.

1.3.5 Microwave oven

We want to make a microwave oven that will operate at 10 GHz. The walls
of the cavity are to be coated with silver to ensure that not more than 1012 th
fraction of the energy in EM waves leaks out.
What is the minimum thickness of silver coating needed ? You may make
any reasonable assumptions, but state them clearly.
[Useful information:

1/(4π0 ) = 9 × 109 N · m2 /C 2 , µ0 /(4π) = 10−7 N/A2

The resistivity of silver at room temperature is ∼ 15 nΩ · m. ]

1.3.6 TM wave in a rectangular waveguide

For a TM wave propagating through a rectangular waveguide,

Ez = A sin(kx x) sin(ky y)ei(kz z−ωt) , Bz = 0 .

~ and ∇ × B,
Starting from Maxwell’s equations for ∇ × E ~ calculate

~ and B
• the transverse components of E ~ fields.

• the Poynting vector (Magnitude and direction)

• the conductance of the waveguide in terms of the parameters of Ez

given above.

5
1.4 EM potentials with sources
1.4.1 Solving the Green’s equation
Given that the solutions to the Green’s equation
1 ∂
(rG) + k 2 G = −δ(r)
r ∂r
is of the form
G(r) = (A/r)e±ikr ,
determine the value of A by integrating the equation over a small sphere
centered at the origin.

1.4.2 Continuity equation

Using the continuity equation, show that for a monochromatic source,
˙
 
~ x, t) = 1 Z
[ρ̇]
 r̂ −
[~J]  3 0
E(~ dx
4π0 cr c2 r

reduces to  
˙
1 Z ( ~J(~x0 ) × ~r) × ~r
~ x, t) =
E(~ d 3 x0
4π0 c2 r3
where r = |~x − ~x0 |.

1.4.3 Retarded potential and Fourier transform

~
Starting from the “retarded potential” solution for A(x, t), calculate its
~ ~
Fourier transform Aω (~x), and through it, calculate Bω (~x).

1.5 EM radiation
1.5.1 Dipole near an infinite conductor
An infinite grounded conductor in the x-y plane has an oscillating electric
dipole p~ = p0 ẑeiωt placed at a distance a from it.

• Find the total power radiated.

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 • Qualitatively sketch the radiation pattern in the x-z plane.
(If you can give arguments motivating the pattern, there is no need to
calculate it explicitly.)

1.5.2 Radiation from two circulating charges

Two charges, +q and −q, are kept circulating about their common center
of mass O (taken to be the origin), in a circle of radius a, with frequency
ω. Calculate
• the electric dipole, magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole compo-
~ B,
nents of A, ~ E
~ at large distances

• the power radiated per solid angle in these three modes

~ B,
• the total values of A, ~ E
~ at large distances

• the total power radiated per solid angle.

• What fraction of the total power radiated is accounted for by the com-
bined power in ED, MD and EQ modes ? Comment.

1.5.3 Slow turn-on of current

Current is slowly turned on in an infinite straight wire, such that


 0 (t < 0)
I(t) = I0 (t/τ ) (0 ≤ t < τ )
(t ≥ τ )


I0
Calculate the resulting electric and magnetic fields as functions of time t
and perpendicular distance d from the wire. (Note: the exact E ~ and B~ are
needed, not just their radiative components.)

1.5.4 Linear antenna

A linear antenna of length L (at −L/2 < x < L/2) is fed a current
sin[k(L/2 − |x|)]
I = I0 .
sin(kL/2)
Plot the radiation pattern (3-d plot as well as projections in yz and xy planes)
for (i) L = 0.01λ, (ii) L = 0.5λ, (iii) L = 1.1λ, (iv) L = 10λ.