PH 102: Physics II

Lecture 16 (Spring 2019)

Debasish Borah
IIT Guwahati

1
 LECTURE PLAN (TENTATIVE) OF PH 102 (POST MID-SEM)

SN Date Topic Griffith’s Lectures Division

section
Lec 15 13-3-2019 Lorentz Force, Biot-Savart law, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 1 I, II (4-
Divergence & Curl of Magnetostatic 4:55 pm)
Fields
Lec 15 13-3-2019 Lorentz Force, Biot-Savart law, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 1 III, IV (9-
Divergence & Curl of Magnetostatic 9:55 am)
Fields
Lec 16 14-3-2019 Applications of Ampere’s law, Magnetic 5.3, 5.4 1 I, II (3-
Vector Potential 3:55 pm)
Lec 16 14-3-2019 Applications of Ampere’s law, Magnetic 5.3, 5.4 1 III, IV (10-
Vector Potential 10:55
am)
Tut 8 19-3-2019 Lec 15, 16
Lec 17 20-3-2019 Magnetic dipole, Force & torque on a 5.4 1 I, II (4-
magnetic dipole 4:55 pm)
Lec 17 20-3-2019 Magnetic dipole, Force & torque on a 5.4 1 III, IV (9-
magnetic dipole 9:55 am)
Lec 18 22-3-2019 Magnetic Materials, Magnetization 6.1 1 I, II (3-
3:55 pm)
Lec 18 22-3-2019 Magnetic Materials, Magnetization 6.1 1 III, IV (10-
10:55
am)
Tut 9 26-3-2019 Lec 17, 18
Lec 19 27-3-2019 Field of a magnetized object, Boundary 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 1 I, II (4-
Conditions 4:55 pm)
Lec 19 27-3-2019 Field of a magnetized object, Boundary 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 1 III, IV (9-
Conditions 9:55 am)
Lec 20 28-3-2019 Ohm’s law, motional emf, electromotive 7.1 1 I, II (3-
force 3:55 pm)
Lec 20 28-3-2019 Ohm’s law, motional emf, electromotive 7.1 1 III, IV (10-
force 10:55
am)
Tut 10 2-4-2019 Lec 19, 20
Lec 21 3-4-2019 Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, Self & Mutual 7.2 1 I, II (4-
Inductance, Energy Stored in Magnetic 4:55 pm)
Field
Lec 21 3-4-2019 Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, Self & Mutual 7.2 1 III, IV (9-
Inductance, Energy Stored in Magnetic 9:55 am)
Field
Lec 22 4-4-2019 Maxwell’s equations, Discussions, 7.3 1 I, II (3-
problem solving 3:55 pm)
Lec 22 4-4-2019 Maxwell’s equations, Discussions, 7.3 1 III, IV (10-
problem solving 10:55
am)
Tut 11 9-4-2019 Quiz II

2
 LECTURE PLAN (TENTATIVE) OF PH 102 (POST MID-SEM)

Lec 23 10-4-2019 Continuity equation, Poynting Theorem 8.1 1 I, II (4-

4:55 pm)
Lec 23 10-4-2019 Continuity equation, Poynting Theorem 8.1 1 III, IV (9-
9:55 am)
Lec 24 11-4-2019 Wave solution of Maxwell’s equation, 9.1, 9.2 1 I, II (3-
polarisation 3:55 pm)
Lec 24 11-4-2019 Wave solution of Maxwell’s equation, 9.1, 9.2 1 III, IV (10-
polarisation 10:55
am)
Tut 12 23-4-2019 Lec 23, 24
Lec 25 24-4-2019 Electromagnetic waves in matter, 9.3 1 I, II (4-
Reflection and transmission: Normal 4:55 pm)
incidence
Lec 25 24-4-2019 Electromagnetic waves in matter, 9.3 1 III, IV (9-
Reflection and transmission: Normal 9:55 am)
incidence
Lec 26 25-4-2019 Reflection and transmission: Oblique 9.3, 9.4 1 I, II (3-
Incidence 3:55 pm)
Lec 26 25-4-2019 Reflection and transmission: Oblique 9.3, 9.4 1 III, IV (10-
Incidence 10:55
am)
Tut 13 30-4-2019 Lec 25, 26
Lec 27 1-5-2019 Relativity and electromagnetism: 12.1, 12.2, 1 I, II (4-
Galilean and special relativity 12.3 4:55 pm)
Lec 27 1-5-2019 Relativity and electromagnetism: 12.1, 12.2, 1 III, IV (9-
Galilean and special relativity 12.3 9:55 am)
Lec 28 2-5-2019 Discussions, problem solving 12.1, 12.2, 1 I, II (3-
12.3 3:55 pm)
Lec 28 2-5-2019 Discussions, problem solving 12.1, 12.2, 1 III, IV (10-
12.3 10:55
am)

3
 Ampere's Law
I
~ · d~l = µ0 Ienc
B

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~ ⇥B
r ~ = µ0 J~

In the integral form of Ampere's law, the integration is done

over a closed loop (of any arbitrary shape) which encloses
the current (See Lecture 15)

4
 Application of Ampere’s Law
• The role of Ampere’s law in the context of Biot-
Savart law of magnetostatics is equivalent to that of
Gauss’s law in the context of Coulomb’s law in
electrostatics.

• For currents with appropriate symmetry (infinite

straight lines, infinite planes, infinite solenoids,
toroids), Ampere’s law in integral form can be
applied to simplify the calculation of magnetic field.

• See solved examples 5.7-5.10 (Introduction to

Electrodynamics, D. J. Griffiths)

5
Example 5.7 (Introduction to Electrodynamics, D J Griffiths):
Find the magnetic field a distance s from a long straight wire,
carrying a steady current I.

Since the problem has a symmetry, it is obvious that the

magnitude of magnetic field is constant around an amperian
loop of radius s, centred on the wire. Using Ampere’s law:
I I
~ · d~l = B
B dl = (2⇡s)B = µ0 I

µ0 I Same answer as Ex 5.5

=) B = (Lecture 1), but obtained in
2⇡s a much simpler way

Fig. 5.32 (Introduction to

Electrodynamics, D. J. Griffiths)

6
Magnetic field of an infinite surface current:

~ = K x̂
Surface current is given by: K

~ should be along ±ŷ

By symmetry, B

For the Amperian loop:

I Fig. 5.33 (Introduction to
Electrodynamics, D. J. Griffiths)

B~ · d~l = 2Bl = µ0 Kl
Why not along x, z?
(
µ0
~ = + 2 K ŷ for z < 0,
B µ0
2 K ŷ for z > 0.

7
Linear solenoid:

For the circular loop, enclosed current = 0

I
~ · d~l = 0 = B (2⇡s)
B =) B = 0

Hence, for rectangular loop 1:

I
~ · d~l = [B(a)
B B(b)]L = µ0 I = 0 =) B(a) = B(b)
Fig. 5.36, 5.37 (Introduction to
Electrodynamics, D. J. Griffiths)
Thus, the field outside is same everywhere.

Since field has to vanish at infinity it means Boutside = 0 (everywhere)

I
For rectangular loop 2: ~ · d~l = BL = µ0 (nL)I =) B
B ~ = µ0 nI ẑ (inside)

(Much easier than using Biot-Savart law, Problem 5.44, Lecture 15)

8
 Linear Solenoid (Finite)
Exercise: Find the magnetic field at the axis of a finite
solenoid of length L, Radius R, n number of turns per unit
length with its centre coinciding with the origin.

Consider an elemental length of the solenoid and use the

expression for magnetic field on the axis of a current
carrying loop. Integrate over the length of the solenoid and
show that the field at the axis is


µ0 nI L/2 z L/2 + z
Bz = p +p
2 (z L/2)2 + R2 (z + L/2)2 + R2

9
Field of a Finite Linear Solenoid

10 Credit: E M Purcell
 Toroidal Solenoid:

Applying Ampere’s law for circle 1

I
~ · d~l = B(2⇡s) = 0 =) B = 0
B s < R1
Image credit: Springer

For circle 3 also, the enclosed current is zero due to

equal ad opposite currents and hence B=0 (outside).
I
µ0 N I
~ ~ ~ r ) = µ0 N I ˆ
For circle 2:
B · dl = B(2⇡s) = µ0 N I =) B =
2⇡s , B(~
2⇡r , R1 < r < R 2

For R2 R1 ⌧ R1 one can assume the length of the solenoid

to be 2⇡r so that n = N/(2⇡r) is the no. of turns per unit length.
B = µ0 nI R1 < r < R 2

See example 5.10 (Introduction to Electrodynamics, D J Griffiths):

Show that the magnetic field of the toroid is circumferential!
11
 Field lines for a
Field lines for solenoid
current carrying loop

12 Image credit: Springer, hyperphysics

Exercise: Calculate the magnetic field inside and
outside of an infinitely long hollow cylinder (of radius
R) carrying uniform surface current K ~ = K ẑ along
the axis of the cylinder, compare it with the result for a
linear solenoid having axis along the same direction.

Use Ampere’s law and show that the field (which is in

the circumferential direction) is given by:

(
µ0 KR
r ,r>R
B =
0, r < R

13
Exercise: Calculate magnetic field inside and outside
of an infinitely long solid cylinder (of radius R) having
uniform volume current J~ = J ẑ

Use Ampere’s law and show that the field (which is in

the circumferential direction) is given by:
(
µ0 JR2
2r , r > R
B = µ0 Jr
2 , r < R

14
 Magnetic Vector Potential
Electrostatics ~ ⇥E
r ~ = 0 =) E
~ = ~
rV

Magnetostatics ~ ·B
r ~ = 0 =) B
~ =r
~ ⇥A
~
~ ⇥B
r ~ =r
~ ⇥ (r
~ ⇥ A)
~ = r(
~ r~ · A)
~ ~ = µ0 J~
2
r A
Both electric and magnetic potentials have built-in ambiguities. For
example,
~ = 0; A
V ! V + C, rC ~!A
~+r
~

Such redefinitions of the potentials do not change the fields.

One can always use this freedom to eliminate the divergence of

magnetic vector potential (To simplify Ampere’s law written above in
terms of vector potential)!

15
 Magnetic Vector Potential
• Let the original vector potential is not divergenceless.

A~0 ! A
~ = A~0 + r
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
=) r · A = r · A0 + r 2

• For the final vector potential to be divergenceless,

we can choose the scalar function in such a way that

r 2
= ~ · A~0
r

• The above equation is similar to the Poisson’s

equation in electrostatics: Z
2 ⇢ 1 ⇢ 0
r V = =) V = d⌧
✏0 4⇡✏0 r
! 0
(If ⇢ 0 as ! 1)
r
16
 Magnetic Vector Potential
• ~ · A~0 goes to zero at infinity, one can always
Similarly, if r
find a scalar function as
Z ~ ~
1 r · A0 0
= d⌧
4⇡ r
• Therefore, it is always possible to make the magnetic
vector potential divergenceless. Coulomb Gauge!

• For such a case, the Ampere’s law in terms of vector

potential simply becomes similar to the Poisson’s
equation 2~ ~
r A= µ0 J (Using )
whose solution (assuming the current goes to zero at
infinity) is Z ~ r~0 )
µ0
~ r) = J( 0
A(~ d⌧
4⇡ r
17
 Advantages!
Though it is a vector, but it is still simpler in many cases, to find the
vector potential than the magnetic field itself.

The vector potential, typically, is parallel to the direction of the given

current.

The freedom in choosing vector potential A~!A ~+r ~ without

affecting magnetic field simplifies many calculations in
electrodynamics: Gauge Symmetry!

It also enables to understand the deep relations between electric

and magnetic phenomena/fields. It also has tremendous use for
time-varying fields as well as electromagnetic radiation.

Magnetic vector potential can also have observable consequences

instead of just being a mathematical tool: Aharanov-Bohm Effect!

18
 Magnetic Vector Potential
• For line and surface currents, the vector potential is
Z ~ Z Z ~
~ µ0 I 0 µ0 I 1 ~0 ~ µ0 K 0
A(~r) = dl = dl ; A(~r) = da
4⇡ r 4⇡ r 4⇡ r
• Example 5.11 (Introduction to Electrodynamics, D. J.
Griffiths): A spherical shell, or radius R, carrying a
uniform surface charge , is set spinning at angular
velocity ! .Find the vector potential it produces at point r.

Figure 5.45, Introduction to Electrodynamics, D. J. Griffiths

The surface current for an elemental area of the spinning
charged spherical shell is K(~ r~0 ) = ~v = (~
! ⇥ r~0 )
!
~ = ! sin x̂ + ! cos ẑ
~ ⇥ r~0 = R![ (cos
! sin ✓0 sin 0
)x̂
+ (cos sin ✓0 cos 0
sin cos ✓0 )ŷ + (sin sin ✓0 sin 0
)ẑ]

Z ~ ~0
~ µ0 K(r ) 2
Vector potential: A(~r) = (R sin ✓0 d✓0 d 0 )
4⇡ r Figure 5.45, Introduction to
Electrodynamics, D. J. Griffiths

Ignoring the terms in !~ ⇥ r~0 which have sin 0 , cos 0

(as they
identically vanish after integration), we get:
Z ⇡
~ r) = µ0 R 3
! sin cos ✓0 sin ✓0 r = |~r r~0 |
A(~ p d✓0 ŷ p
2 0 R2 + r2 2Rr cos ✓ = R2 + r 2 2Rr cos ✓

Using u = cos ✓0, the above integral becomes

Z
(R2 + r2 + Rru) p 2
+1 +1
udu
p = 2 2
R + r2 2Rru
1
2
R +r 2 2Rru 3R r 1

1 2 2 2 2
= (R + r + Rr)|R r| (R + r Rr)(R + r)
3R2 r2

20
The integral has the following possible values:
 (
2r
1 2 2 2 2 3R2 for r < R
2 2
(R + r + Rr)|R r| (R + r Rr)(R + r) = 2R
3R r 3r 2 for r > R

Also, using the fact that !r sin ŷ = (~! ⇥ ~r), the vector
potential is (
µ0 R
~ r) = 3 (~
! ⇥ ~
r ) for r < R
A(~ µ0 R 4
3r 3 (~ ! ⇥ ~r) for r > R

If the shell spins about the z axis then,

(
µ0 R !
r sin ✓ ˆ for r < R
~ ✓, ) =
A(r, 3
µ0 R 4 ! ˆ for r > R
3r 3 r sin ✓

Calculate the magnetic field using this potential!

Tutorial 8
21
• This exercise indicates that a current flowing in a wire
and a moving electrically charged object are essentially
alike as sources of magnetic field (a fact which was not
obvious in 19th century).

• Maxwell, through his unified theory of electricity of

magnetism suggested this, but no experimental proof
was available at that time.

• Henry Rowland devised an experiment to measure

magnetic field of a rotating charged disk (that produces
a field five order of magnitudes smaller than earth’s
magnetic field)

22
 Rowland’s
apparatus

Credit: E M Purcell 23
 Magnetic Vector Potential
• Example 5.12 (Introduction to Electrodynamics, D. J.
Griffiths): Find the vector potential of an infinite solenoid
with n turns per unit length, radius R, and current I.

• Since the current extends to infinity*, the simple

expressions mentioned in the last two slides
are no longer applicable.

• Typically, the direction of vector potential will match the

direction of the current.

*Note that use of vector potential to find magnetic field can be complementary to using
Ampere’s law. For finite (asymmetric) current configurations, where Ampere’s law may not be
useful, the simple formula for vector potential may help.

24
Example 5.12: Although the formula for vector potential
can not be used, we can find its line integral around a
closed amperian loop around the axis of the solenoid.
I
~ · d~l = A(2⇡s) A and I are typically in same
A
direction i.e. circumferential
I Z Z
We know that: ~ · d~l =
A ~ ⇥ A)
(r ~ · d~a = ~ · d~a
B

Using the known values of B: ~ out = 0, B

B ~ in = µ0 nI ẑ

We can find A to be:

(
µ0 nI(⇡s2 ) ˆ µ0 nI ˆ
~ 2⇡s = 2 s for s < R
A(s) = µ0 nI(⇡R2 ) 2
ˆ= µ 0 nI R ˆ for s > R
2⇡s 2 s
~ & verify the known
Take curl of A
~ in case of solenoid
results for B
25
 Calculate magnetic vector potential for a current (I)
carrying wire of length L. Using the answer, find the
corresponding magnetic field B~ = r ~ ⇥A~ . Verify your answer
with the expression for field obtained using Biot-Savart law
(Lecture 15).

Assuming current to be in z direction, it is straightforward to

P (r, , z)
show that A is also in z direction.
Z I +L/2
L/2
µ0 I dz 0
Az =
4⇡ L/2 r
Z L/2
dz’
0
µ0 I dz
=
4⇡ L/2 [(z z 0 )2 + r2 ]1/2
✓ ✓ ◆ ✓ ◆◆
µ0 I 1 (z L/2) 1 z + L/2
= sinh + sinh
4⇡ r r
-L/2

26
One can now find the magnetic field using the curl of
vector potential
~ =r
B ~ ⇥A ~
✓ ◆ ✓ ◆ ✓ ◆
1 @Az @(rA ) @Ar @Az @(rA ) @Ar
= eˆr + reˆ + eˆz
r @ @z @z @r @r @
@Az
= eˆ
@r
µ0 I z + L/2 z L/2
= eˆ
4⇡r [r2 + (z + L/2)2 ]1/2 2
[r + (z L/2) ] 2 1/2

µ0 I Which is same as the result

= (sin ✓2 sin ✓1 )eˆ
4⇡r obtained in Lecture 15!

Fig. 5.19 (Introduction to

Electrodynamics, D. J. Griffiths)

27
Exercise: Calculate the magnetic vector potential for
a surface current K ~ = K ẑ of finite width w. Use the
result to find the corresponding magnetic field. Hint:
Use the results for a wire obtained in the previous
example.

Exercise: Find a suitable vector potential for an

infinitely long current (I) carrying wire. Once again,
the simple expression for A proportional to current
can not be used. Compare the results with the scalar
potential for an infinite line charge.

28
To find the current density if the vector potential is given

Problem 5.23 (Introduction to Electrodynamics, D J Griffiths): What

~ = k ˆ in
current density would produce the vector potential A
cylindrical coordinates?

Since J~ = (r
~ ⇥ B)/µ
~ 0 , we first find the magnetic field:


~ ~ ~ 1 @A @(sA ) 1 @(sk) k
B =r⇥A= ŝ + ẑ = ẑ = ẑ
s @z @s s @s s

Therefore,
✓ ◆
~ 1 1 ˆ @(k/s) k ˆ
J= s =
µ0 s @s µ0 s 2

29
Summary: Magnetostatics

Figure 5.48,
Introduction to
Electrodynamics, D. J.
Griffiths

Missing Link: No equation for A in terms of B

30
 Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions

• Just like electric field suffers a discontinuity at a surface

charge, so the magnetic field is discontinuous at a
surface current.

• ~ ·B
Using the integral form of r ~ =0
that is, I
~ · d~a = 0
B

to a thin pillbox straddling the

surface, we get Figure 5.49, Introduction to Electrodynamics,
? ?
Babove = Bbelow D. J. Griffiths

31
 Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions
• The boundary conditions for tangential components
can be found by taking an Amperian loop running
I perpendicular to the current which gives
~ ~ k k
B · dl = (Babove Bbelow )l = µ0 Ienc = µ0 Kl
k k
=) Babove Bbelow = µ0 K

• In general,
~ above B
B ~ below = µ0 (K
~ ⇥ n̂) Figure 5.50, Introduction to Electrodynamics,
D. J. Griffiths

where n̂ is a unit vector perpendicular to the surface,

pointing upward

32
Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions
• Magnetic vector potential is continuous across any boundary.

• Continuity of normal components is guaranteed by

I
~ ·A
r ~ = 0 =) ~ · d~a = 0
A

• For tangential components, we can calculate

I Z
~ · d~l =
A ~ · d~a =
B

which is zero for an Amperian loop of vanishing thickness.

Thus, tangential components are continuos.

• The derivative of vector potential however, is discontinuous

~ above
@A ~ below
@A
= ~
µ0 K
@n @n
33
Since A is continuous across the boundary we have, at all
~ above = A
points on the surface: A ~ below

If the boundary is the x-y plane, the above condition means

@A @A Only normal derivatives
, are same above and below. can be discontinuous
@x @y
From the boundary condition on magnetic field:
Why?

✓ ◆ ✓ ◆
@Az @Ay @Ax @Az
The parallel components of B are @y @z
x̂ +
@z @x
ŷ

Using the continuity of x,y derivatives, we get:

✓ ◆ ✓ ◆
@Ayabove @Aybelow @Axabove @Axbelow ~ ⇥ n̂)
+ x̂ + ŷ = µ0 (K
@z @z @z @z

34
Considering the surface current to be in x direction,
the right hand side of the previous relation is µ0 K ŷ

Equating x and y components on both sides:

✓ ◆ ✓ ◆
@Ayabove @Aybelow @Axabove @Axbelow
+ = 0, = µ0 K
@z @z @z @z

Therefore, in general

35