Problem Set on Magnetostatics, Faraday’s law and Magnetic Energy

1. Which of these Magnetic fields can exist? Determine the current density that created the valid
fields. What Vector Potential corresponds to these fields?
2
a. 𝑩(𝒓) = 𝑒 −𝑦 𝒙
̂
2
b. 𝑩(𝒓) = 𝑒 −𝑥 𝒙
̂
c. 𝑩(𝒓) = sin(𝑘𝑟) 𝒓̂ (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝑧 coordinate system)
̂ (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝑧 coordinate system)
d. 𝑩(𝒓) = 𝑟𝜽
2. Show that the magnetic field cannot do any work on a particle, i.e., cannot change its energy.
3. The following current densities are given. Determine the Magnetic Fields.
̂
a. 𝑱(𝒓) = 𝑟𝑒 −𝑟 𝜽
b. 𝑱(𝒓) is a square of current of 1 Ampere with its sides along the 𝑧 axis, the 𝑦 axis, 𝑦 = 1 and
𝑧 = 1. The current is flowing along +𝒛̂ up the 𝑧−axis. (It is sufficient to give the answers in
terms of integrals, if you cannot simplify them).
4. A pipe of irregular cross-section carries a D.C. current 𝐼. Determine how the current is distributed.
5. Given
⃗⃗⃗⃗ × 𝒓
µ0 𝒎 ⃗⃗
𝐴⃗ =
4𝜋 𝑟 3
⃗⃗⃗
determine 𝑩(𝒓 ⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗). Then obtain 𝛁 × 𝑩 and show that it is zero except at the origin
̂ and its
6. A current loop is elliptical in shape and lies in the 𝑦−𝑧 plane with its major axis along 𝒚
centre at the origin. What components of 𝑨 ⃗⃗ and 𝑩
⃗⃗⃗ are present along the 𝑥-axis? What
components are present along the y-axis? Hint: If a function is symmetric about a point, its
derivitive at that point goes to zero.
7. Consider the solution for 𝑨⃗⃗ and 𝑩
⃗⃗⃗ for a finite solenoid. Obtain the radial component of the 𝑩
⃗⃗⃗ field
near the axis. Hint: Use the divergence theorem and collect terms order by order in smallness and
find the lowest order radial term.
⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗ × 𝑩
8. A solid wire carries a D.C. current 𝐼. How is this current distributed? What happens to the 𝑞𝒗
force acting on conduction electrons?
9. A circular loop of radius 𝑎 is in the y-z plane with its centre at (0,1,1). The loop rotates around the
̂ + 𝒛̂)/2 at a constant angular frequency 𝜔. If a uniform magnetic field 𝐵0 𝒛̂ is present,
axis (𝒚
determine the current that will flow in the loop, if it has a resistance 𝑅.
10. An electromagnetic wave has an electric field given by
⃗𝑬⃗ (𝒚, 𝒕) = 2.15 × 105 ( 𝑉 ) cos (𝑘𝑦 − 10.55 × 1012 (𝑟𝑎𝑑) 𝑡) 𝒌
̂.
𝑚 𝑠

a. In which direction is the wave travelling?

b. What is the wavenumber (rad/m) and wavelength (m) of the wave, respectively?
c. Write the magnetic field vector of this wave?
11. A cylinder of permeability µ and length 𝐿 is introduced into a solenoid (also of length 𝐿) with an
air core. The radius of the cylinder is 𝑎, which is also the inner radius of the solenoid. The length
of the cylinder that is inside the solenoid is 𝑑. Compute the change in energy if the cylinder is
introduced an extra 𝛿𝑑. From this determine the force on the solenoid. Note that the current
through the solenoid is held constant.

You can assume that 𝑎 ≪ 𝑑, 𝐿 − 𝑑. How does this make the problem simpler. Hint: Fringing
fields are localized fields that connect mismatched steady state fields.
12. A solenoid consists of a torus of rectangular cross-section with inner and outer radii of 𝑟1 and 𝑟2
respectively and height 𝑑. Determine the external inductance of the torus if there are n windings
per radian.

13. A rigid, circular loop of radius 𝑎 and mass 𝑚 falls under the influence of gravity. A static magnetic
field whose 𝑧-component is given by
𝑎2
𝐵𝑧 = 𝐵0 (1 + 2 )
𝑎 + 𝑧2
is present. The loop has a resistance 𝑅, and initially carries a current 𝐼0 (in the 𝜃⃗ direction). 𝑧(0),
the position of the loop at 𝑡 = 0, is zero, 𝑣𝑧 (0) = 𝑧̇ (0) = 0 as well.
a. Determine 𝐵𝑟 (𝑟, 𝑧).
⃗⃗⃗ force on the loop. What are the components of this force?
b. Determine 𝒋⃗ × 𝑩
Hint: the loop is falling, which means both electrons and atoms have a velocity along 𝒛̂, which
must be taken into account.
c. Obtain an equation for the position of the loop 𝑧(𝑡), and its current 𝐼(𝑡).
d. Imagine you are in the frame of the loop. Obtain the induced emf on the loop, and hence
obtain 𝐼(𝑡) in terms of 𝑧(𝑡). Do these agree with your results in part (c)?
e. Does the loop rotate? i.e., there is induced current, but is there torque?
14. A rectangular loop (length along 𝑥 is 𝑙 and along 𝑦 is 𝑑) is rotating about the 𝑥-axis. Its initial
position is in the x-y plane (𝜃 = 0), with an angular velocity of 𝜔, and a current of zero. A uniform
magnetic field 𝐵0z ̂ is present. If the loop has a resistance of 𝑅 and moment of inertia 𝐼,
determine its future angular position, 𝜃(𝑡). Show that energy is conserved.
Note: This problem differs from problem 9 in that the 𝜔 = 𝜃̇ is not forced to be constant.
15. An AC current 𝐼0 𝑒 𝑖𝜔𝑡 is driven through a long solenoid of radius 𝑎. Determine the distribution of
current 𝐽𝜃 (𝑟, 𝑡) that is present. Determine the external and internal inductance of this solenoid.
The solenoid has an air core, and has 𝑛 turns per metre.