EE2025 Engineering Electromagnetics: July-Nov 2020

Tutorial 4: Maxwell’s Equations

1. Prove that electric and magnetic fields obey the principle of super position. Hint: Use Maxwell’s
equations to show this.

Solution: Say that sources ρi , Ji produce fields Ei and Hi for i = 1, 2. Then we can substitute
into Maxwell’s equations to show that the fields produced due to a linear combination of the
sources is a linear combination of the respective fields.

∂ρ
2. Using the differential form of Maxwell’s equations, derive the continuity equation (∇.J = − ∂t ).

Solution: Differential form of Maxwell’s equations =⇒ ∇ × H = ∂D

∂t +J

Taking divergence on both sides of the equation,

∂∇.D
∇.(∇ × H) = + ∇.J
∂t
We know that ∇.D = ρ. Further, divergence of a curl is zero (∇.(∇ × H) = 0). Substituting
∂ρ
these in the above equation, we arrive at the continuity equation ∇.J = − ∂t .

3. A slab of perfect dielectric material (er = 2) is placed in a microwave oven. The oven produces
an electric field (as well as a magnetic field). Assume that the electric field intensity is uniform
in space and sinusoidal in time and is in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the slab.
The microwave oven operates at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and produces an electric field intensity
with amplitude 500 V/m inside the dielectric, calculate the displacement current density in the
dielectric.

Solution: The electric field inside the slab can be given by

E = n̂E0 sin(ωt) [V/m] ⇒ D = n̂e0 er E0 sin(ωt) C/m2

 

where n̂ is the direction perpendicular to the slab surface and E0 is the field amplitude.
The displacement current density is given by

∂D
= n̂e0 er ωE0 cos(ωt) A/m2
 
Jd =
∂t

Given er = 2, E0 = 500 V/m, ω = 2π × 2.45 × 109 rad/sec,

∴ Jd = 136.3 cos(4.9 × 109 πt) A/m2

 

4. a) Show that the ratio of the amplitudes of the conduction current density and the displace-
ment current density is σ/ωe for the applied field E = Em cosωt. Assume µ = µ0 .
b) Assuming that sea water has µ = µ0 , e = 81e0 , σ = 20 S/m, determine the frequency
at which the conduction current density is ten times the displacement current density in
magnitude.
 Solution:

a) The displacement vector

D = eE = eEm cosωt
and the displacement current density is

∂D
Jd = = −ωeEm sinωt = ωeEm cos(ωt + π/2)
∂t
The conduction current density is

Jc = σE = σEm cosωt

Using these two results we find

|Jc | σEm σ
= = .
|Jd | ωeEm ωe

b)
Jc σ
= = 10 (1)
Jd ωe
σ 20
=⇒ ω = 2π f = =
10e 10 × 81e0
Solving, we get f = 0.44 GHz

5. In a linear, homogeneous and isotropic medium, show that the charge density ρv satisfies,

∂ρv σ
+ ρv = 0
∂t e

Solution: From Gauss’s law, we have,

∇.D = ρv ,

where D = eE
ρv
=⇒ ∇.E =
e
From continuity equation and Ohm’s law, we can write,

∂ρv
∇.J = ∇.σE = σ∇.E = −
∂t
ρv ∂ρv
=⇒ σ =−
e ∂t
Or we can write,
∂ρv σ
+ ρv = 0
∂t e

6. A parallel-plate capacitor with plate area of 5 cm2 and plate separation of 3 mm has a voltage 50
sin(103 t) V applied to its plates. Calculate the displacement current assuming e = 2eo .

Page 2
 Solution:
V
D = eE = e
d
∂D e dV
Jd = =
∂t d dt
Hence,
eA dV dV
Id = Jd .A = =C
d dt dt
So, value of Id is given by

eA dV 10−9 5 × 10−4
Id = = 2. × × 103 .50 cos 103 t
d dt 36π 3 × 10−3

= 147.4 cos 103 t [nA]

7. A perfectly conducting filament containing a small 500Ω resistor is formed into a square, as
illustrated by Fig. 1. Find I (t) if (a) B = 0.3 cos(120πt - 30◦ )az T; (b) B = 0.4 cos[π(ct − y)]az µT,
where c = 3 × 108 m/s.

Figure 1

Solution: Area of the square loop = 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.25 m2

dφB
emf = − dt , R = 500Ω and dS = dxdy az

0.3 cos(120πt - 30◦ )az . dS = 0.3 cos (120πt - 30◦ ) .(0.25)(az ).(az )
R R
(a) φB = S
B.dS = S

=⇒ φB = 0.075 cos (120πt - 30◦ ) [Wb]

dφB
emf = − dt =28.27sin(120πt¬30o ) [V]
em f
∴ I (t) = R =0.057 sin (120πt - 30◦ ) [A]

R 0.5 R 0.5
0.4cos[π(ct − y)]×10−6 az .dS = 0.4 cos(πct − πy) × 10−6 dx dy
R R
(b) φB = S
B.dS = S 0 0
( a z ).( a z )

−1 −0.2×10−6
=⇒ φB = 0.5 × 0.4 × 10−6 [sin (πct - πy)]0.5
0 × π = π [sin(πct − 0.5π) - sin(πct)]
[Wb]

Page 3
 dφB
emf = − dt = −0.2c × 10¬6 [cos(πc.t − 0.5π)- cos(πc.t)] [V]
em f
∴ I (t) = R = 0.12[cos(πct − 0.5π) - cos πct] [A]

8. Conductor surfaces are located at ρ = 1 cm and ρ = 2 cm in free space (ρ and φ are radius and
angle in cylindrical coordinate). The volume 1 cm ≤ ρ ≤ 2 cm contains the fields H = (2/ρ) cos
(6×108 πt − 2πz)aφ A/m. Find E

Solution: Inside the given volume 1 cm ≤ ρ ≤ 2 cm :

1 ∂(ρHφ ) 4π
∇×H = − aρ = cos(6 × 108 πt − 2πz) aρ
ρ ∂z ρ
∂D
∇×H =
∂t
So,
4π
Z
D= cos(6 × 108 πt − 2πz) aρ dt
ρ
4π
D= cos(6 × 108 πt − 2πz) aρ
ρ × 6π × 108
and D = e0 E in free space

1
where e0 = 36π ×109

240π
so, E = ρ cos(6 × 108 πt − 2πz)aρ [V/m]

9. What values of A and β are required if the two fields given below satisfy Maxwell’s equations in
a linear, isotropic, homogeneous medium with er = µr = 4 and σ = 0?

E = 120πcos(106 πt − βx ) aˆy V/m

H = Aπcos(106 πt − βx ) aˆz A/m
Assume there are no current or charge densities in space.

Page 4
 Solution: From Maxwell’s equations

∂B ∂H
∇×E = − = −µ
∂t ∂t
∂D ∂E
∇×H = =e
∂t ∂t
∇ × E = 120πβsin(ωt − βx ) aˆz (2)
∂H
−µ = µA106 π 2 sin(ωt − βx ) Âz (3)
∂t
From (1) and (2),
120β = Aµ106 π

β µ106 π
= (4)
A 120

∇ × H = − Aπβsin(ωt − βx ) aˆy (5)

∂E
e = −120eπ 2 106 sin(ωt − βx ) aˆy (6)
∂t
From (5) and (6),
Aβ = 120eπ106 (7)
Using (4) and (7),
A=0.318
β = 0.041866 rad/m

10. Consider a point on the surface of a perfect conductor. The electric field intensity at that point
is E = (500x̂ − 300ŷ + 600ẑ) cos 107 t and medium surrounding the conductor is characterized by
µr = 5 and er = 10 and σ = 0.
(a) Find a unit vector normal to the conductor at that point of the conductor surface.
(b) Find the instantaneous surface charge density at the point.

Solution: (a) Since we have a perfect conductor, Electric field at any point will be normal
and directed out of the surface. So it will be given by outward normal electric field vector at
that point.
E ( t = 0)
=⇒ n̂ =
| E(t = 0)|
5x̂ − 3ŷ + 6ẑ
=⇒ n̂ = p = 0.60x̂ − 0.36ŷ + 0.72ẑ
(52 + 92 + 36)
(b) Since it is a metallic conductor, no field will exist inside the metal. Hence using boundary
conditions, surface charge density is given by

(D1 .n̂ − D2 .n̂) = ρs

Here D2 will be zero as it is zero within the metallic conductor ∴ the instantaneous surface
charge density will be
(D1 .n̂) = ρs

=⇒ ρs = 10e0 (500x̂ − 300ŷ + 600ẑ)(cos 107 t).(0.60x̂ − 0.36ŷ + 0.72ẑ) = 74 cos 107 t [nC/m2 ]

Page 5
11. Assume two regions are separated by z = 0 plane. Let µ1 = 4 µH/m in region 1 where z > 0,
while µ2 = 7 µH/m in region 2 wherever z < 0. We are given B1 = 2a x − 3ay mT, in region 1.
Find B2 for both the cases (b) and (c).

a) Roughly sketch the media interface.

b) Let surface current be Js = 80a x A/m on z = 0.
c) Let surface current be Js = 80az A/m on z = 0.

Solution:
a)

The normal (az ) component of B1 is 0

b) We determine the tangential components:
Bt1 = 2a x − 3ay [mT]
and
Bt1
Ht1 = µ1 = 500a x − 750ay [A/m]

an is the unit normal vector, and an is az for the surface z = 0.

Ht2 = Ht1 − Js × an = 500a x − 750ay − 80a x × az [A/m]
Ht2 = 500a x − 670ay [A/m]
and
Bt2 = µ2 Ht2 = 3.5a x − 4.69ay [mT]
Therefore,
B2 = Bt2 = 3.5a x − 4.69ay [mT]

b) For the surface current Js = 80az , Js × an = 0.

Hence, Ht2 = Ht1 and B2 = B1 as Bn1 = Bn2 = 0

12. In a non-magnetic material (µr = 1) with dielectric constant er = 4, the electric field is given by
E(t) = 20 sin (108 t − βz)ŷ. Calculate the propagation constant β and the magnetic field H(t).

Solution: We know that

√
β = ω µe
108 (2) 2
= 108 µ0 × 4e0 =
p
=
3 × 108 3

Page 6
Now converting the electric field into phasor form : E(t) = Im(Ee jωt ) ⇒ E = 20e− jβz ŷ.
From the Maxwell’s equation
∇ × E = − jωµH
∇×E
H=
− jωµ
 
1 ∂Ey
= − x̂
− jωµ ∂z
20β − jβz
=− e x̂
ωµ
Substituting the value of β, we get

1 − jβz
H=− e x̂
3π
So the sinusoidal form of magnetic field is given by

H(t) = Im(Hs e jωt )

1
=− sin (108 t − βz) x̂
3π

Page 7