31EMA Electromagnetism 2023/2024 Q3

Exercises for Studio Classroom sessions

Week 6

SESSION 1

Exercise 6.1: Thick plate with uniform current

Consider an infinite plate with thickness d, which
is positioned parallel to the xy-plane between z =
−d/2 and z = d/2. Inside of the plate, the volume
current density is J⃗ = J x̂.
(a) Determine the unit of the volume current density J.
(b) Find an expression for the current I(L), passing through the plate between y = 0 and
y = L.
(c) Determine the direction of the magnetic field both inside and outside of the plate.
(d) Argue why the magnetic field must be uniform in both the region z > d/2 and in the
region z < −d/2.
If we want to determine the magnetic field using Ampère’s law, there are two convenient choices
for the Ampère loop, which we will both try out.
(e1) Use symmetry to argue why the magnetic field must vanish for z = 0 (so B(x, y, 0) = 0).
(f1) Draw an rectangular Ampère loop with one section at z = 0 and the other one at z > d/2.
Use this Ampere loop to determine B(z) for z > d/2.
(g1) Similarly, determine the magnetic field magnitude B(z) for 0 < z < d2 .
⃗
(h1) Find a vector expression for B(z) for each region of space.
While you used symmetry in the last step to conclude on the magnetic field magnitude for z < 0,
you can also use that directly for Ampère’s law.
(e2) Use symmetry to argue why the magnetic field be antisymmetric around z = 0 (so
By (−z) = −By (z)).
(f2) Draw an rectangular Ampère loop with sections at z > d/2 and at z < −d/2. Use this
Ampère loop to determine B(z) outside the plate, and compare to your result from (f1).
(g2) Similarly, determine the magnetic field magnitude B(z) for inside the plate, and compare
to your result from (g1).
The solution path for both these choices requires the same symmetry arguments, they are just
applied in a different order. When carried out correctly, both choices lead to the same final
answer.

Step-by-step recipe: Ampère’s law

Also for symmetric current distributions consisting of volume and surface currents, you
can make use of Ampère’s law to determine the magnetic field, as described in the recipe
in Appendix B.7 of the reader. Be sure to always make a sketch of the Ampère loop of
your choice and follow the steps in the recipe accordingly.

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Exercise 6.2: Cylindrical wire
Consider an infinitely long straight cylindrical wire with radius R,
running along the z-axis of a cylindrical coordinate system. The
wire is carrying a volume current density J⃗ = J ϕ̂ and a surface
⃗ = − 1 JRϕ̂.
current density K 2
(a) Use the right hand rule and symmetry arguments to deter-
mine the direction of the magnetic field due to the volume
current and due to the surface current, respectively.
(b) Make two separate sketches in the xy-plane: One for the sur-
face current and the magnetic field it creates and the other
for the volume current and the magnetic field it creates.
(c) Argue based your findings for a infinite solenoid (see SC exer-
cise 5.7 or section 7.5.5 of the reader) that the magnetic field
must vanish outside of the cylindrical wire (so B(r > R) = 0).
(d) Use Ampère’s law to determine the magnitude B(r) of the magnetic field inside the cylin-
drical wire.
(e) Determine vector expressions for the magnetic field B ⃗ in all regions of space.
(f) Check whether the magnetic field is continuous at the surface of the wire (at r = R) and
find a physical reasoning.

Exercise 6.3: Enclosed cylindrical wire

Consider an infinitely long straight cylindrical wire with radius R1 ,
running along the z-axis of a cylindrical coordinate system. The
conducting wire is carrying a volume current density J⃗ = Crẑ.
The wire is wrapped in an insulating tubing in the region R1 <
r < R2 , which consists of a linear magnetic medium with relative
permeability µr .
(a) Use the right hand rule and symmetry arguments to deter-
mine the direction of the magnetic field due to the current in
the cylindrical wire.
(b) Argue why the magnetic field magnitude can only depend on
r, but not on z or ϕ.
(c) Use Ampère’s law (the usual form from equation (7.14) of the
reader) to determine the magnitude B(r) of the magnetic field
inside the cylindrical wire (for r < R1 ).
(d) Use Ampère’s law (the usual form from equation (7.14) of the
reader) to determine the magnitude B(r) of the magnetic field
outside of the tubing (for r > R2 ).
(e) Use Ampère’s law in materials (equation 8.6) to determine the magnitude B(r) of the
magnetic field inside the tubing (for R1 < r < R2 ).
(f) Determine vector expressions for the magnetic field B ⃗ in all regions of space.
(g) Check whether the magnetic field is continuous at the surface of the wire (at r = R1 ) and
at the surface of the tubing (at r = R2 ) and find a physical reasoning, respectively.

Step-by-step recipe: Ampère’s law in materials

In exercise 6.3e, you applied Ampère’s law to calculate the magnetic field inside of a linear
magnetic material, for which you can follow the same recipe as in vacuum (see Appendix
B.7 of the reader). Make sure to use one of the two equations for Ampère’s law consistently
and do not mix them.

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Exercise 6.4: Coaxial cable
A coaxial cable consists of a copper wire (radius R1 )
with several concentric layers around it. The wire
is separated from a metallic shield (region R2 <
r < R3 ) by a dielectric filling (region R1 < r < R2 )
with dielectric constant ϵr and relative permeability
µr . As it is difficult to manufacture a tube shaped
metallic shield from a solid piece of metal, it is
usually realized by several layers of woven metallic
braid and metallic tape, which are all in electric contact with one another. Therefore we can
treat the metallic shield as one solid piece of copper in good approximation. The entire cable is
usually encased in a plastic jacket for extra protection.

Electromagnetism in the real world: Coaxial cables

Coaxial cables are used since the 19th century as transmission lines for radio frequency
signals. The most common applications are connections between radio receivers and their
antennas as well as cable television. The concentric geometry allows transmission of sig-
nals over long distance with minimal loss and few disturbance due to external fields and
conductors in close proximity. The key to these advantages is the fact that the electro-
magnetic field is enclosed between the central wire and the metallic shield. We are going
to take a closer look on this property in this exercise.

While electromagnetic waves travelling along transmission lines are far beyond the scope of this
course, we will use a very much simplified model of static electric and magnetic fields, caused
by a static charge distribution and a stationary current along the coaxial cable.
The magnetic field: Consider the coaxial cable
carrying a current I > 0 in z-direction along the
central wire and a current −I along the metallic
shield.
(a) Determine the direction of the magnetic field
caused by the current along the central wire.
(b) Argue why the magnetic field must vanish outside of the coax cable (in the region r > R3 ).
⃗ inside the filling (in the region R1 < r < R2 ).
(c) Determine the magnetic field B
The electric field: Consider the central wire of
the coax cable to carry a line charge density λ > 0
and the metallic shield carrying −λ. (Hint: This
part is similar to SLT problem 2 of week 2, it might
help to consult your own solution to that problem.
(d) Argue why the electric field must vanish outside of the coax cable (in the region r > R3 ).
⃗ inside the filling (in the region R1 < r < R2 ).
(e) Determine the electric field E
The signal transmission (again, very simplistic): For an electromagnetic wave, the Poynt-
⃗ marks the direction of the wave propagation,
ing vector S

⃗= 1E
S ⃗ × B.
⃗
µ0
For low frequencies, the propagation speed of the electromagnetic wave in the coaxial cable is
√
given by v = c/ ϵr µr . Although in an electromagnetic wave the fields amplitudes are time-

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and location dependent, we will use these static fields to illustrate the transmission along the
z-direction.
(f) Use the vector expressions from (c) and (e) to prove, that the Poynting vector S⃗ points in
z direction.
(g) Argue why the propagation speed can only be dependent on the material inside the coaxial
cable (the dielectric filling) and suggest a material, for which signals could (hypothetically)
be transported through the coaxial cable at highest possible speed.

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SESSION 2

Exercise 6.5: Current in cylinder

An unknown current flows in an infinitely long conducting cylinder with radius R. In the cylinder
⃗ < R) = B0 (1 − r22 )ẑ is present, with a constant B0 . Outside
(for r < R), a magnetic field B(r R
the cylinder (for r > R) the magnetic field vanishes: B(r > R) = 0.
(a) Argue what the direction of the current in the cylinder is.
⃗
(b) Determine the current density J(r) inside the cylinder (for r < R). Hint: Use a small
Ampère loop with dimensions L and dr.
(c) Check whether the magnetic field is continuous at the surface of the cylinder (at r = R)
and conclude, whether a surface current is running on the cylinder surface.

Exercise 6.6: Half-filled solenoid

Consider a long solenoid along the z-axis with ra-
dius R, length L and winding density n, which car-
ries a current I in ϕ-direction. While the upper half
of the solenoid (x > 0) is empty, the lower half
(x < 0) is filled with an iron core with relative per-
meability µr ≫ 1.
⃗ in all regions of space. Hint: Consider
(a) Determine vector expressions for the magnetic field B
the solenoid as infinitely long and don’t worry about the interface. It does not alter the
direction of the magnetic field.
(b) Check whether the magnetic field is continuous at the iron surface inside the solenoid.
Conclude whether a surface current is running on that surface. (Hint: If you’re having
trouble with this exercise, check out section 8.1.1 in the reader.)
(c) Make a sketch of the magnetic field lines in the xz-plane. Pay attention to the density of
the field lines in the different regions, which relates to the magnitude of the magnetic field.

Exercise 6.7: Planar layerstack

Consider an infinitely large, conducting plate
parallel to the xy-plane between z = 0 and
z = d, which carries a volume current density
J⃗ = J0 cos πz


2d
x̂ and a surface current density
K⃗ = J0 dx̂ at the surface at x = 0. On top op
the conducting plate, there is a layer of a linear magnetic medium with relative permeability µr
between z = d and z = 2d.
(a) Determine the direction of the magnetic field outside of the layer stack.
(b) Argue that the magnetic field must be uniform and equal in magnitude in the regions z < 0
and z > 2d. Determine vector expressions for the magnetic field in these regions.
⃗
(c) Determine a vector expression for the magnetic field B(z) inside the plate (at 0 < z < d).
⃗ inside the linear magnetic medium
(d) Determine a vector expression for the magnetic field B
(at d < z < 2d).
(e) Check whether the magnetic field is continuous at the interfaces at z = 0, z = d and z = 2d
and give a physical interpretation.

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Exercise 6.8: Unknown current in plates
Two infinite plates with thickness d are positioned par-
allel to the xy-plane from z = 0 to z = d and from
z = a + d to z = a + 2d. The two plates carry un-
known volume and surface current densities, which lead
to a magnetic field distribution given by (a, c and d are
positive constants):


 0 for z < 0,

2
cz x̂ for 0 < z < d,




 2
⃗
B(z) = cd x̂ for d < z < a + d,
2
 cd
x̂ for a + d < z < a + 2d,



 2



0 for z > a + 2d,

(a) Visualize the magnitude B of the magnetic field in the different regions in a B(z) graph.
(b) Determine the direction of the currents in the plates giving rise to a magnetic field in
+x-direction between the plates.
(c) Determine from the continuity of the magnetic field magnitude B, on which surfaces a
surface current must be present. Hint: If you don’t trust your graph, double-check the
continuity by calculation.
(d) Determine the volume current density J1 between z = 0 and z = d from the magnetic field
B(0 < z < d).
(e) Explain with words or with a simple calculation, why the volume current density between
z = a + d and z = a + 2d must be zero.
(f) Determine the (non-zero) surface current densities on the surfaces of the plates. Pay close
attention to the orientation of the Ampère loop and the sign of the current!
(g) To check your result, calculate the magnetic field due to the total current in each plate
individually. Check that these magnetic fields sum up to the given expressions between
and outside the plates (for z < 0, d < z < a + d and z > a + 2d).