1 Electrostatics

1.1 Coordinate systems and vectors

1.1. Write the relation among the spherical coordinates (r, θ, ϕ), cylindrical coordi-
nates (r, θ, z), and Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z).

1.2. Convert the point (r, θ, ϕ) = (2, 30◦ , 60◦ ) to the Cartesian coordinate system.

1.3. Write unit vectors of the polar coordinates (r̂, θ̂), in terms of unit vectors of the
Cartesian coordinates (î, ĵ).
Answer:

r̂ = cos θ î + sin θ ĵ (1)

θ̂ = − sin θ î + cos θ ĵ (2)

1.4. Express the unit vectors in the spherical (r̂, θ̂, ϕ̂) and cylindrical coordinate sys-
tems (r̂, θ̂, k̂) in terms of unit vectors of Cartesian coordinate systems (î, ĵ, k̂).
Answer: Spherical to Cartesian

r̂ = sin θ cos ϕ î + sin θ sin ϕ ĵ + cos θ k̂ (3)

θ̂ = cos θ cos ϕ î + cos θ sin ϕ ĵ − sin θ k̂ (4)
ϕ̂ = − sin ϕ î + cos ϕ ĵ (5)

Cylindrical to Cartesian: Do it yourself.

r̂ = cos θ î + sin θ ĵ (6)

θ̂ = − sin θ î + cos θ ĵ (7)
k̂ = k̂ (8)

1.5. In the problem 1.4, verify that r̂ · θ̂ = 0, θ̂ · ϕ̂ = 0, and ϕ̂ · r̂ = 0 for spherical

coordinate system.

1.6. In the problem 1.4, verify that r̂ × θ̂ = ϕ̂, θ̂ × ϕ̂ = r̂, and ϕ̂ × r̂ = θ̂ for spherical
coordinate system.
 1.2 Gradient, Divergence and Curl
⃗ operator in Cartesian, Spherical and Cylindrical coordinates.
1.7. Write Del (∇)
Hint: See the book “Introduction to Electrodynamics” by David J. Griffiths.
Answer: Cartesian coordinates:

⃗ ≡ î ∂ + ĵ ∂ + k̂ ∂
∇ (9)
∂x ∂y ∂z

Spherical coordinates:

⃗ ≡ r̂ ∂ + θ̂ 1 ∂ + ϕ̂ 1 ∂
∇ (10)
∂r r ∂θ r sin θ ∂ϕ

Cylindrical coordinates:

⃗ ≡ r̂ ∂ + θ̂ 1 ∂ + k̂ ∂
∇ (11)
∂r r ∂θ ∂z

1.8. Evaluate gradient of a function f (x, y, z) in the Cartesian coordinates.

1.9. Evaluate gradient of a function f (r, θ, ϕ) in the spherical coordinates.

1.10. Evaluate gradient of a function f (r, θ, z) in the cylindrical coordinates.

1.11. Evaluate divergence of a function F⃗ (x, y, z) = fx (x, y, z)î+fy (x, y, z)ĵ+fz (x, y, z)k̂
in the Cartesian coordinates.

1.12. Evaluate divergence of a function F⃗ (r, θ, ϕ) = fr (r, θ, ϕ)r̂+fθ (r, θ, ϕ)θ̂+fϕ (r, θ, ϕ)ϕ̂
in the spherical coordinates. Follows these steps to solve this problem:
Step-1: Calculate all nine partial derivatives of unit vectors in the spherical co-
ordinates r̂, θ̂, ϕ̂ with respect to r, θ, ϕ. Use the results obtained in problem 1.4
to get these derivatives.
∂ r̂ ∂ θ̂ ∂ ϕ̂
∂r = 0, ∂r = 0, ∂r = 0,
∂ r̂ ∂ θ̂ ∂ ϕ̂
Answer: ∂θ = θ̂, ∂θ = −r̂, ∂θ = 0,
∂ r̂ ∂ θ̂ ∂ ϕ̂
∂ϕ = sin θ ϕ̂, ∂ϕ = cos θ ϕ̂, ∂ϕ = − cos θ θ̂ − sin θ r̂.
Step-2: Use these derivatives to evaluate divergence.

1.13. Evaluate divergence of a function F⃗ (r, θ, z) = fr (r, θ, z)r̂+fθ (r, θ, z)θ̂+fϕ (r, θ, z)k̂
in the cylindrical coordinates.
1.14. Evaluate Laplacian, ∇2 f = (∇⃗ · ∇)f
⃗ =∇ ⃗ · (∇f
⃗ ), where f is a scalar function of
Cartesian coordinates, f ≡ f (x, y, z).

1.15. Evaluate Laplacian, ∇2 f = (∇ ⃗ · ∇)f

⃗ =∇ ⃗ · (∇f
⃗ ), where f is a scalar function of
spherical coordinates, f ≡ f (r, θ, ϕ).

1.16. Evaluate Laplacian, ∇2 f = (∇⃗ · ∇)f

⃗ =∇ ⃗ · (∇f
⃗ ), where f is a scalar function of
cylindrical coordinates, f ≡ f (r, θ, z).
1.17. Calculate gradient of f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 + z 2 .
1.18. Calculate gradient of f (x, y, z) = x2 y + y 2 z + z 2 x.

1.19. Calculate divergence and curl of F⃗ (x, y, z) = xy î + yz 2 ĵ + xz k̂

1.20. Calulcate divergence of F⃗ (r, θ, ϕ) = r sin θ r̂ + sin ϕ θ̂ + cos ϕ ϕ̂

1.21. Find perpendicular to the surface of an ellipsoid, given by following equation, at
any point on its surface.
x2 y 2 z 2
+ + =1 (12)
a2 b 2 c 2

1.22. The height of a certain hill (in feet) is given by h(x, y) = 10(2xy − 3x2 − 4y 2 −
18x + 28y + 12), where y is the distance towards north, x the distance towards
east of a reference point (a) Where is the top of the hill located? (b) How high
is the hill? and (c) How steep is the slope at a point one unit north and one unit
east of reference point? In what direction is the slope steepest, at that point?
1.23. Determine divergence of r̂/r2 using spherical coordinates in the region r > 0.
Here ⃗r represents the position vector of any arbitrary point except the Origin.
1.24. Let ⃗r be the separation vector from fixed point (x′ , y ′ , z ′ ) to the point (x, y, z)
⃗ 2 ) = 2⃗r (b) ∇(1/r)
and r be the length, show that (a) ∇(r ⃗ = −r̂/r2 (c) What is
⃗ n )?
the general formula for ∇(r
⃗ · ∇)r
1.25. Determine divergence of r̂/r2 for r > 0 and find the value of (∇ ⃗ m.

1.26. Determine the divergence of the following vector fields

⃗ = r sin ϕr̂ + r2 z ϕ̂ + z cos ϕẑ,
(a) A
⃗ = 12 cos θr̂ + r sin θ cos ϕθ̂ + cos θϕ̂
(b) B r
⃗ = r cos θr̂ + r sin θθ̂ + r sin θ cos ϕϕ̂
(c) C
⃗ = s(2 + sin2 ϕ)ŝ + s sin ϕ cos ϕϕ̂ + 3z ẑ
(d) D
 1.3 Line, surface and volume integrals
1.27. Write down infinitesimal displacement, surface area element and volume elements
in Spherical and Cylindrical Coordinate System.
RB
⃗ where F⃗ = xy î + x2 ĵ over the straight line
1.28. Evaluate the line integral A F⃗ · dr,
between A(1, 1) and B(4, 6).
RB
⃗ where F⃗ = xy î + x2 ĵ over the curve y = x2
1.29. Evaluate the line integral A F⃗ · dr,
between A(0, 0) and B(1, 1).
1.30. Calculate the surface integral of ⃗v = 2xz x̂ + (x + 2)ŷ + y(z 2 − 3)ẑ over five sides
(excluding the bottom) of the cubical box the figure. Let “upward and outward”
be the positive direction, as indicated by the arrows.

1.31. The spherical charge distribution is given by ρ(r) = ρ0 + αr for 0 ≤ r ≤ R.

Here ρ0 and α are the constants. Calculate the total charge contained inside the
sphere of radius R.
1.32. State fundamental theorem for divergence (Gauss’s theorem) and curl (Stokes’
theorem)
1.33. Suppose ⃗v = (2xz + 3y 2 )ŷ + 4yz 2 ẑ. Check stokes’ theorem for the square surface
as shown in the figure.

1.34. Test the divergence theorem for the function ⃗v = xy î + 2yz ĵ + 3zxk̂ on a cube
with side length 2 units.
1.35. Check the divergence theorem using the function ⃗v = y 2 î + (2xy + z 2 )ĵ + 2yz k̂
for a cube with sides of length unity.
1.36. Suppose ⃗v = (2xz +3y 2 ) ĵ +4yz 2 k̂. Verify stokes’ theorem for the square surface
with side length 2 unit, as shown in the figure.

1.4 Electric Field

1.37. A long solid cylinder or radius R carries a charge density that is proportional to
the distance from the axis, i.e., ρ = kr C/m3 , where k is a constant. Find the
electric field inside and outside this cylinder.
Answer: Inside E ⃗ = kr2 r̂, and outside E
⃗ = kR3 r̂.
3ϵ0 3ϵ0 r

⃗ at a distance b from an infinitely

1.38. Using Gauss’s law, find electric field intensity E,
long straight wire carrying a uniform line charge density λ C/m.
λ
Answer: E = 2πbϵ 0
.

1.39. A hollow spherical shell carries charge density ρ = k/r2 C/m3 in the region
a ≤ r ≤ b. Find the electric field in the three regions: (i) r < a, (ii) a < r < b
and iii) r > b. Plot |E| as a function of r.
Answer: (i)E = 0, (ii)E ⃗ = k(r−a) k(b−a)
ϵ0 r2 r̂, (iii)E = ϵ0 r2 r̂.

1.40. Identify whether following vector fields can be a possible electrostatic fields or
not:

(a) F⃗ = xy î + 2yz ĵ + 3xz k̂

(b) F⃗ = y 2 î + (2xy + z 2 )ĵ + 2yz k̂

Answer: (a) No, (b) Yes.

⃗ = Q 2 1 − cos(3r) r̂ in spherical coordinates, find the charge


1.41. Given that E 4πϵ0 r
density.
Answer: ρ = 3Q4πr
sin(3r)
2 C/m3 .
 1.5 Electric Potential, Poisson and Laplace Equation
1.42. Conducting spherical shells with radii a = 10 cm and b = 30 cm are maintained at
a potential difference of 100V , such that Vr=b = 0 and Vr=a = 100V . Determine
V and E in the region between the shells.

1.43. Show that a scalar function f (r) = 1/r; r > 0, where r is the distance of any
point P in space from the origin, is a solution of Laplace equation.

1.44. Find the potential function and the electric field intensity for the region between
two concentric right circular cylinders or radius 1 mm and 20 mm respectively.
The potentials at inner and outer surfaces are 0 V and 150 V respectively.

1.45. Semi infinite Conducting planes given by θ = 0 and θ = π/6 in the cylindrical
coordinates are separated by an infinitesimal insulating gap. If Vϕ=0 = 0 and
Vϕ=π/6 = 100V calculate V and the E in the region between the planes.

2 Magnetostatics
2.1 Biot–Savart law, Ampere’s Law
2.1. Find the magnetic field at a distance z above the center of a circular loop of
radius R carrying current I.
Answer: B ⃗ = ± µ20 IR22 3/2 ẑ, where the sign ± depends on the direction of
2(R +z )
current.

2.2. A current I is uniformly flowing along the length in a wire of circular cross
⃗
section with radius a. Find the volume current density J.
Answer: |J|⃗ = I/πa2 .

2.3. Find the magnetic field, inside and outside, of an infinite cylindrical wire of
radius a with current density J⃗ = ksẑ where s is the distance from the axis of
the wire, and ẑ is parallel to axis of wire.
Answer: Inside B ⃗ = ± µ0 ks2 ϕ̂, and outside ⃗ = ± µ0 ka3 ϕ̂, where the sign ±
B
3 3s
depends on the direction of current.

2.4. Find the magnetic field inside and outside a infinitely long solenoid having n
turn per unit length and carrying current I.
⃗ = µ0 nI, and outside |B|
Answer: Inside |B| ⃗ = 0. Direction is along the length
of the solenoid.
 2.2 Magnetic Vector Potential
⃗ = k θ̂, where k
2.5. If vector potential in the cylindrical coordinates is given by A
is a constant, find the corresponding current density that produces this vector
potential.
2.6. Find the magnetic vector potential of an infinite solenoid of radius R with n
turns per unit length and carrying current I.

3 Electrodynamics
3.1. Calculate displacement current between the plate of a capacitor if the capacitor
is charging with current I(t) at any time t.

4 Electromagnetic Waves
4.1. Write Maxwell’s equation in integral and differential form. State physical inter-
pretation of each equation.
4.2. Show that electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature.
4.3. Show that electric field, magnetic field and direction of propagation of wave are
perpendicular to each other in an electromagnetic wave.

5 Quantum Mechanics
5.1. In this problem, we investigate why can’t we see the wave nature of macroscopic
particles. Let’s calculate the de Broglie wavelength of following objects and
compare them with the approximate size of the object.
(a) A 1000kg automobile traveling at 100m/s.
(b) A 10g bullet traveling at 500m/s.
(c) A smoke particle of mass 10−9 g moving at 1cm/s.
(d) An electron with kinetic energy of 1eV .
(e) An electron with a kinetic energy of 100M eV .
5.2. In this problem, we investigate why don’t we realize Heisenberg uncertainty
principle in our daily life. Let’s see the effect of the Heisenberg uncertainty
principle on experiments of different sizes.
 (a) The hydrogen atom is 5.3 × 10−11 m in radius. Use uncertainty principle to
estimate the energy of an electron in the atom.
(b) Estimate the minimum velocity of a billiard ball (m ≈ 100gm) confined to
a billiard table of dimension 1m.
(c) An electron moves in the x-direction with a speed of 3.6 × 106 m/s. We
can measure its speed up-to a precision of 1%. (a) With what precision
can we simultaneously measure its position? (b) What can we say about
its uncertainty in the motion along y-direction.
(d) Assume that hydrogen atom has radius 0.5Å. Calculate the kinetic energy
needed by an electron to be confined to the atom.
(e) Using the uncertainty principle, show that the electron does not exist in
the nucleus.
Problems related to wave function and Schrödinger equation:
p
5.3. The phase velocity of the ocean waves is gλ/2π, where g is the acceleration
due to gravity. Find the group velocity of ocean waves.
5.4. Show that the group velocity of a wave is given by vg = dν/d(1/λ), where ν
represents the frequency of the wave.
5.5. The wave function of a particle in a box of length L is given by ψ = A sin(nπx/L),
and the wave function is zero outside the box. Calculate value of constant A.
Also find probability of finding a particle between x = 0 to x = L/2.
5.6. Show that the phase velocity of the de Broglie waves ofqa relativistic particle of

2
mass m and de Broglie wavelength λ is given by vp = c 1 + m0hcλ . Note that
for relativistic particle, E 2 = p2 c2 + m20 c4 .
dv
5.7. Show that the group velocity and phase velocity are related by vg = vp − λ dλp .
5.8. A particle is limited to the x-axis in the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, and has the wave
function ψ = ax(1 − x) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 0 elsewhere. Find the probability that
the particle can be found between x = 0.45 and x = 0.55.
5.9. Write down the time independent and dependent Schrödinger equation for a
particle of mass m moving freely in one dimensional box.
5.10. Which of the following wave functions cannot be the solutions of Schrödinger’s
equation for all values of x? (a) ψ = A sec x, (b) ψ = A tan x, (c) ψ = A exp(x2 ),
and (d) ψ = A exp(−x2 ). Give an explanation for your answer.
5.11. The wave function of a certain particle is ψ = A(1 − cos x) for 0 < x < 2π
and zero elsewhere. (a) Find the value of A. (b) Find the probability that the
particle be found between x = 0 and x = π/4.

5.12. A linear combination of two wave functions for the same system is also a valid
wave function. Find the normalization
constant B for the combination of the
wave functions ψ = B sin πx L + sin L
2πx
obtained from first and second excited
states of a particle in a box, in the region 0 ≤ x ≤ L of width L.

5.13. Calculate the probability of finding a particle in a box of width L between x = 0

and x = L/n when it is in the n-th state.