Wednesday

13 March 2024
Lecture # 3 9-10 AM
4-5 PM

PH102
After Mid Semester Exams
by
Dr. Subhash Thota & Dr. Pankaj Kumar Mishra
Department of Physics, IIT Guwahati
Emails: [email protected]
[email protected]
 Chapter-5
Magnetostatics

Section 5.4
Magnetic Vector Potential

2
 Magnetic Vector Potential (A)

In electrostatics we have 𝛻×𝐸 =0

This permit us to introduce a scalar potential ‘V’ E = −𝛻V

In Manetostatics

𝛻∙B=0

From the standard theorem of vectors which state that:

If the divergence of a vector field (𝐹 ) vanishes (everywhere), then 𝐹 can be expressed
as the curl of a vector potential.

This invites the introduction of a vector potential 𝐴

B=𝛻×A 3
 B=𝛻×A

This won’t affect the condition 𝛻 ∙ 𝐵 = 0, since the divergence of a curl is

always zero

𝛻∙𝛻×A =0

From the Ampere’s law 𝛻 × 𝐵 = 𝜇0ԦJ

𝛻×B= 𝛻× 𝛻×A

𝛻 × B = 𝛻 𝛻 ∙ A − 𝛻2A

𝛻 × 𝐵 = 𝛻 𝛻 ∙ 𝐴Ԧ − 𝛻 2 𝐴Ԧ = 𝜇0 𝐽Ԧ

𝛻 𝛻 ∙ A − 𝛻 2 A = μ0ԦJ 4
As we know, the electric potential had a built-in ambiguity: we can add to V
any function whose gradient is zero (which is to say, any constant), without
altering the physical quantity E.

𝐸 = −𝛻(𝑉 + 𝑉0)
𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉 − 𝛻𝑉0

𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉

Hence we can add any function to ‘V’ whose gradient is zero without
altering the 𝐸
Likewise, we can add to the magnetic potential any function whose curl
vanishes (which is to say, the gradient of any scalar), with no effect on B.
We can exploit this freedom to eliminate the divergence of 𝐴Ԧ
𝛻 ∙ 𝐴Ԧ = 0 5
Proof: Suppose that our original potential, Ao, is not divergence-less.
If we add the gradient of ‘λ’

𝐴Ԧ = 𝐴0 + 𝛻λ
The new divergence is
𝛻 ∙ A = 𝛻 ∙ A0 + 𝛻 2 λ 1
𝛻 ∙ 𝐴Ԧ = 0
𝛻 2 λ = −𝛻 ∙ 𝐴0
Let’s compare the above with to Poisson’s equation for Electrostatics,
2
ρ
One way to 𝛻 V=− 2
ε0
couple the
equations 1 & 2 1 𝜌
V= න 𝑑𝜏′ 𝜌 → 0 𝑎𝑡 ∞
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
This equation is identical to Poisson’s equation with 𝛻 ∙ A0 in place of ρ/ϵ0
as the source.
 1 𝛻 ∙ A0
λ= න 𝑑𝜏′ 𝛻 ∙ 𝐴0 → 0 𝑎𝑡 ∞
4𝜋 r

If 𝛻 ∙ 𝐴0 does not go to zero at infinity, we'll have to use other means to

discover the appropriate λ, just as we get the electric potential by other
means when the charge distribution extends to infinity.

Now 𝛻 × B = 𝛻 𝛻 ∙ A − 𝛻 2 A = μ0ԦJ 𝛻×B= 𝛻× 𝛻×A

= 𝛻 𝛻 ∙ A − 𝛻2A
𝛻 𝛻 ∙ A − 𝛻 2 A = μ0ԦJ

𝛻∙A=0

𝛻 2 A = −μ0ԦJ

This is again nothing but the Poisson's equation

7
 We know the solution of Poisson’s equation

μ0 J(r′)
A(r) = න dτ′ 𝐽Ԧ → 0 𝑎𝑡 ∞
4π r

Similarly for line and surface currents,

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 1
Line current 𝐴(𝑟) = න 𝑑𝑙′ = න 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋 𝑟 4𝜋 𝑟

𝜇0 𝐾
Surface current 𝐴(𝑟) = න 𝑑𝑎′
4𝜋 𝑟

8
 We know the solution of Poisson’s equation

μ0 J(r′)
A(r) = න dτ′ 𝐽Ԧ → 0 𝑎𝑡 ∞
4π r

Similarly for line and surface currents,

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 1
Line current 𝐴(𝑟) = න 𝑑𝑙′ = න 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋 𝑟 4𝜋 𝑟

𝜇0 𝐾
Surface current 𝐴(𝑟) = න 𝑑𝑎′
4𝜋 𝑟

9
Example: A spherical shell, of radius R, carrying a uniform surface charge
σ, is set spinning at angular velocity ω. Find the vector potential it produces
at point r.

𝜑
R
r

Polar axis along ω

10
Solution: It might seem natural to align the polar axis along ω, but in fact
the integration is easier if we let r lie on the z axis, so that ω is tilted at an
angle ψ. We may as well orient the x-axis so that ω lies in the xz-plane, as
shown in the below figure (L.H.S)
z
ω
r1
ω
𝜑 𝜑 θ' da'
r
R
r r'

y
∅'

Polar axis along ω x r lie on the z axis

𝜇0 𝐾(𝑟′)
𝐴(𝑟) = න 𝑑𝑎′
4𝜋 𝑟1
 𝜇0 𝐾(𝑟′)
𝐴(𝑟) = න 𝑑𝑎′ Here K = σV
4𝜋 𝑟1

𝑟1 = 𝑅2 + 𝑟 2 − 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝜃 ′
𝑑𝑎′ = 𝑅2 sin 𝜃 ′ 𝑑𝜃 ′ 𝑑∅′
Velocity of a point rʹ in a rotating rigid body is given by ω × rʹ

𝑥ො 𝑦ො 𝑧Ƹ
v = ω × rԦ′ = 𝜔 sin 𝜑 0 𝜔 cos 𝜑
𝑅 sin 𝜃 ′ cos ∅′ 𝑅 sin 𝜃 ′ sin ∅′ 𝑅 cos 𝜃′

𝑣Ԧ = 𝑅𝜔 − cos 𝜑 sin 𝜃 ′ sin ∅′ 𝑥ො + cos 𝜑 sin 𝜃 ′ cos ∅′ − sin 𝜑 cos 𝜃 ′ 𝑦ො + sin 𝜑 sin 𝜃 ′ sin ∅′ 𝑧Ƹ

𝜋 2𝜋
𝜇0 σ ω × 𝑟′
𝐴(𝑟) = ඵ 𝑅2 sin 𝜃 ′ 𝑑𝜃 ′ 𝑑∅′
4𝜋 𝑅2 + 𝑟 2 − 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝜃 ′
0 0
 𝜋 2𝜋
𝜇0 σ ω × 𝑟′
𝐴(𝑟) = ඵ 𝑅2 sin 𝜃 ′ 𝑑𝜃 ′ 𝑑∅′
4𝜋 𝑅2 + 𝑟 2 − 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝜃 ′
0 0

ω × 𝑟 ′ = 𝑅𝜔 − cos 𝜑 sin 𝜃 ′ sin ∅′ 𝑥ො + cos 𝜑 sin 𝜃 ′ cos ∅′ − sin 𝜑 cos 𝜃 ′ 𝑦ො + sin 𝜑 sin 𝜃 ′ sin ∅′ 𝑧Ƹ

2𝜋 2𝜋
Since න sin ∅′ 𝑑∅′ = න cos ∅′ 𝑑∅′ = 0
0 0

These terms contribute nothing and we are left with

𝜇0 𝑅3 σ𝜔 sin 𝜑 𝜋 cos 𝜃 ′ sin 𝜃 ′

𝐴(𝑟) = − න 𝑑𝜃 ′ 𝑦ො
2 0 𝑅2 + 𝑟 2 − 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝜃 ′

Substituting u= cos θʹ, the integral becomes

 Substituting u= cos θʹ, the integral becomes
+1
𝑢
න 𝑑𝑢
−1 𝑅2 + 𝑟2 −2𝑅𝑟𝑢

𝑅2 + 𝑟 2 + 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝑢 2 2
+1
= 2 2
𝑅 + 𝑟 − 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝑢ቚ
3𝑅 𝑟 −1

1
= − 2 2 𝑅2 + 𝑟 2 + 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝑅 − 𝑟 − 𝑅2 + 𝑟 2 − 2 𝑅 𝑟 𝑅 + 𝑟
3𝑅 𝑟

If the point ‘r’ lies inside the sphere, then R > r, and this
expression reduces to (2r/3R2); if ‘r’ lies outside the sphere, so
that R < r, it reduces to (2R/3r2).
Noting that (𝜔 × 𝑟 ′ ) = - 𝜔 R sin 𝜑 𝑦ො we have, finally. 14
 𝜇0 𝑅σ
𝐴(𝑟) = ω × 𝑟Ԧ For r < R For points inside the sphere
3

𝜇0 𝑅4σ
𝐴(𝑟) = 3
ω × 𝑟Ԧ For r > R For points outside the sphere
3𝑟

ω × 𝑟Ԧ = −ω𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝜑ො
Taking ω along z-axis and the point r at (r,θ,φ)

Proof: 𝑥ො 𝑦ො 𝑧Ƹ
ω × 𝑟Ԧ = 0 0 𝜔
𝑟 sin 𝜃 cos ∅ 𝑟 sin 𝜃 sin ∅ 𝑟 cos 𝜃

=𝑟𝜔 − sin 𝜃 sin ∅ 𝑥ො + sin 𝜃 cos ∅ 𝑦ො

15
 ω × 𝑟Ԧ =𝑟𝜔 − sin 𝜃 sin ∅ 𝑥ො + sin 𝜃 cos ∅ 𝑦ො

= 𝑟𝜔 sin 𝜃 − sin ∅ 𝑥ො + cos ∅ 𝑦ො

෡
∅

෡
= 𝑟𝜔 sin 𝜃 ∅

𝜇0 𝑅σω
𝐴(𝑟) = ෡
𝑟 sin 𝜃∅ For r<R
3
𝜇0 𝑅2σ ω
sin 𝜃
3
𝜇0 𝑅4σ ω
𝐴(𝑟) = sin 𝜃 ෡
∅ For r>R 𝐴(𝑟)
3𝑟2 ~r ~1/r2

r=R 16 r
Magnetic field inside the spherical shell is uniform

𝜇0 𝑅σω
𝐵 = 𝛻 × 𝐴Ԧ 𝐴(𝑟) =
3
෡
𝑟 sin 𝜃∅

2𝜇0 𝑅σω
𝐵= cos 𝜃 𝑟Ƹ −sin 𝜃𝜃෠
3
𝑧Ƹ

2𝜇0 𝑅σω
𝐵= 𝑧Ƹ
3

17
 Page-252 Griffiths
The Gyrometric Ratio Problem 5.56

Let us consider a particle of charge Q and mass M describing a circle of

radius a with angular velocity ω as shown in below figure. The equivalent
current is

𝜔
𝑚
Q 𝐿

magnetic moment m
g= =
Angular moment L
18
 Page-252 Griffiths
The Gyrometric Ratio Problem 5.56
Let us consider a particle of charge Q and mass M describing a circle of
radius a with angular velocity ω as shown in below figure. The equivalent
current is
𝜔
𝑚
Q 𝐿 I = Q × frequency
𝜔
I=Q×
2𝜋

This current generates a magnetic moment m

1 m = 𝐼𝜋𝑎2
𝑚 = 𝑄𝜔𝑎2
2
Let us take the angular momentum L of the particle into account.
𝐿 = 𝑀𝜔𝑎2
The direction of L is given by the right hand rule. 19
 1
𝑚 = 𝑄𝜔𝑎2 For +ve charge
2
Depending upon the charge
1
𝑚 = − 𝑄𝜔𝑎2 For -ve charge
2

For a positively charged particle the ratio

magnetic moment m
g= =
Angular moment L

1
Qωa2
g=2
Mωa2
Q
g= Page-252 Griffiths
2M

This ratio is called the Gyromagnetic ratio

 Magnetogyric ratio
Similarly for a negative charged particle
𝑄
𝑔=−
2𝑀
The negative sign indicates that the vectors L and m have opposite
direction
Gyric = Rotational (from Greek)
𝜔 𝐿

SI units radian per second per Tesla (rad⋅s−1⋅T−1) or,

equivalently, the Coulomb per kilogram (C⋅kg−1). 21
 Summary

Magnetostatics
Electrostatics
 Magnetostatic Boundary conditions
Just as the electric field suffers a discontinuity at a surface charge, so the
magnetic field is discontinuous at a surface current.

𝛻. 𝐵 = 0

K
⊥ ⊥
𝐵𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 − 𝐵𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 =0

Amperian loop running perpendicular to the current

 K
𝑛ො is a unit vector
perpendicular to the
surface, pointing
In general "upward."

Thus the component of B that is parallel to the surface but perpendicular to

the current is discontinuous in the amount μ0K. A similar Amperian loop
running parallel to the current reveals that the parallel component is
continuous. These results can be summarized in a single formula:
 Boundary condition for A
Like the scalar potential in electrostatics, the vector potential is continuous
across any boundary:
In electrostatics, if you are very far from a localized charge distribution it
looks like a point charge and the potential is – to good approximation-
(1/4εoπ)Q/r

P-146, Sec-3.4
Griffiths
Multipole Expansion of the Vector Potential
Vector potential of a current
loop
r
𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 1
𝐴Ԧ = ර 𝑑𝑙′
O 𝜃 4𝜋 𝑅
R

I rʹ 𝑅 = 𝑟 2 + 𝑟′2 − 2𝑟𝑟 ′ cos 𝜃 1/2

drʹ=dlʹ 1
= 2
1
𝑅 𝑟 + 𝑟′2 − 2𝑟𝑟 ′ cos 𝜃 1/2

1 1
= 1/2
𝑅 2
𝑟′ 𝑟′
𝑟 1+ −2 cos 𝜃
𝑟 𝑟
For r >> rʹ 1 1
≈ 1/2
𝑅 𝑟′
𝑟 1 − 2 cos 𝜃
𝑟

′ −1/2
1 𝑟
≈ 𝑟 1 − 2 cos 𝜃
𝑅 𝑟

1 𝑟′
≈ 𝑟 1 + cos 𝜃 + ⋯
𝑅 𝑟

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 1
𝐴Ԧ = ර 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋 𝑅

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 𝑟′
𝐴Ԧ = ර 𝑟 1 + cos 𝜃 + ⋯ 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋 𝑟
 𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 1 1
Ԧ
𝐴= ර 𝑑𝑙′ + 2 ර 𝑟′ cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑙′ + ⋯ .
4𝜋 𝑟 𝑟
Monopole Dipole

Now the magnetic monopole term is always zero

ර 𝑑𝑙′ = 0

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ
𝐴Ԧ𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 = 2
ර 𝑟′ cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋𝑟

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ
𝐴Ԧ𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 = 2
ර(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋𝑟
 𝑟Ƹ × ‫𝑟 ׯ‬′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑟′ = ‫𝑟 ׯ‬Ƹ × 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑟′
= ‫𝑟 [ ׯ‬′ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑑𝑟′ − 𝑑𝑟′(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ ] (BAC-CAB)

Now, 𝑑 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ = 𝑟′ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑑𝑟′ + 𝑑𝑟′(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ

=> 𝑟′ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑑𝑟′ = 𝑑 𝑟′

Ԧ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ − 𝑑𝑟′(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ

𝑟Ƹ × ‫𝑟 ׯ‬′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑟′ = ‫𝑟 [ ׯ‬′ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑑𝑟′ − 𝑑𝑟′(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ ]

= ර 𝑑 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ − ර 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑑𝑟′ − ර 𝑑𝑟′(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ

ර 𝑑 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ Ԧ 𝑟 ′ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
= ‫𝑟 𝑑 ׯ‬′ =0 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑟Ƹ × ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑟′ = −2 ර 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑑𝑟′
 𝑟Ƹ × ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑟′ = ර 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑑𝑟′ − ර 𝑑𝑟′(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ

𝑟Ƹ × ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑟′ = ර 𝑑 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ − ර 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑑𝑟′ − ර 𝑑𝑟′(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ

Zero

𝑟Ƹ × ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑟′ = −2 ර 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑑𝑟′

For present condition 𝑑𝑟 ′ = 𝑑𝑙′

𝑟Ƹ × ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑙′ = −2 ර 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑑𝑙′
 𝑟Ƹ × ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑙′ = −2 ර 𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′
Ԧ 𝑑𝑙′

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ
𝐴Ԧ𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 = 2
ර(𝑟.Ƹ 𝑟′)
Ԧ 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋𝑟

𝜇0 𝐼Ԧ 1
𝐴Ԧ𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 =− 2
𝑟Ƹ × ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑙′
4𝜋𝑟 2

𝜇0 𝑚 × 𝑟Ƹ
𝐴Ԧ𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
𝐼 1
Here 𝑚 = ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑙′ And 𝑎Ԧ = ර 𝑟′
Ԧ × 𝑑𝑙′
2 2

𝑚 = 𝐼 𝑎Ԧ Vector Area, P-57,

Problem 1.61
Eq-1.107
Summarized Results

𝜇0 𝑚 sin 𝜃 𝜇0 𝑚 1
𝐴(𝑟) = ෡
∅ 𝐵= 2 cos 𝜃 𝑟Ƹ + sin 𝜃 𝜃෠
4𝜋 𝑟2 4𝜋 𝑟 3

Field of a "pure" dipole Field of a "physical" dipole

z z

y y
Example: Find the magnetic dipole moment of the "bookend-shaped"
loop shown in Fig. All sides have length S, and it carries a current I.
z
𝑚 = 𝐼 𝑎Ԧ
S
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝 = 𝑆2

S y
S
x
𝑚1 = 𝐼𝑆2𝑗Ƹ
⬇
𝑚2𝑘෠
𝑚1𝑗Ƹ
𝑚 = 𝑚1 + 𝑚2
✚
𝑚 = 𝐼𝑆2𝑗Ƹ + 𝐼𝑆2𝑘෠
𝑚2 = 𝐼𝑆2𝑘෠
Example: Calculate the magnetic flux crossing the surface φ = π/2, 1 ≤ ρ ≤
𝜌2
2, 0 ≤ z ≤ 5 if the magnetic vector potential is given by 𝐴Ԧ = − 𝑧.Ƹ
4
Solution:

𝐵 = 𝛻 × 𝐴Ԧ
For cylindrical co-ordinates (in general)
1 𝑑𝑣𝑧 𝑑𝑣∅ 𝑑𝑣𝜌 𝑑𝑣𝑧 1 𝑑 𝑑𝑣𝜌
𝛻 × 𝑣Ԧ = − 𝜌ො + − ෡
∅+ 𝜌𝑣∅ − 𝑧Ƹ
𝜌 𝑑∅ 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝜌 𝜌 𝑑𝜌 𝑑∅

Here z
𝜌2
𝐴Ԧ = − 𝑧Ƹ
4
Since A has only
𝑑𝐴𝑧 z-component and y 𝑧=5 x
𝐵=− ෡
∅ only 𝜌
𝑑𝜌 dependence 𝜌=2
𝝅
∅=
𝜌 𝑧=0 𝟐 𝜌=1
𝐵= ∅෡ 35
2
 z
෡
𝑑𝑠 = 𝑑𝜌 𝑑𝑧 ∅

𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥 = න 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠
y x
𝑑𝑧
𝑑𝜌
෡
∅
𝜌
𝐵= ∅෡ ∅
2
෡
∅
5 2
1
= ඵ 𝜌 𝑑𝜌 𝑑𝑧
2
𝑧=0 𝜌=1

15
Ф = 𝑊𝑒𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠
4

36