Current I and current density j

Current density

j(r ) = (r ) v (r )

Suppose current is composed of point charges

j(r) q i (r - ri ) v i
i

Integrate current over some volume, V, say A d

where A is cross-section area of wire d is element of length of wire

j(r).n dr q (r - r ) v .n dr q
i

v i . n Id

i in V

n is a unit vector parallel to the current direction

Current is commonly treated as continuous (j(r)), but is actually composed
of point particles

Continuity Equation
Rate of charge entering xz face at y = 0: jy=0DxDz
Cm-2s-1 m2 = Cs-1
Rate of charge leaving xz face at y = Dy: jy=DyDxDz = (jy=0 + jy/y Dy) DxDz

Net rate of charge entering cube via xz faces: (jy=0 - jy=Dy ) DxDz = -jy/y DxDyDz
Rate of charge entering cube via all faces:

jy=0

Dz
Dy

Dx

-(jx/x + jy/y + jz/z) DxDyDz = dQencl/dt

= lim (DxDyDz)0 Qencl /(DxDyDz)

jy=Dy
y

. j + d /dt = 0

For steady currents d /dt = 0 (Magnetostatics) and . j = 0

Applies to other js (heat, fluid, etc) Conservation of charge, energy, mass, ..

Amperes Law

I
dB(r)

Replace I d by j(r) dr in Biot-Savart law

j(r' ) x (r r' )
dB(r ) o
dr'
3
4
r r'

1
r r'
-

r r' r r' 3
dB(r )

o
j(r' )
x
dr'
4
r r'

o
j(r' )
B(r )
x
dr'
4
r r'

r
d

o
1
j(r' ) x
dr'
4
r r'

o
B(r )
4

r-r

j(r' ) x (r r' )
r r'

See Homework Problems II

for intermediate steps

E(r )
dr'

E(r )

(r' )

4o

(r' ) (r r' )

4o

r r'
r r'

dr' - (r )
dr'

Amperes Law
Evaluate Div and Curl of B(r)

NB acts on functions of r only, acts on functions of r

o
j(r' )
B(r )
x
dr'
4
r r'

o
j(r' )
.B(r )
. x
dr' . x f(r ) 0

4
r r'

o
j(r' )

x B(r )
x x
dr' o j(r ) term containing . j(r' )

4
r r'

.B 0

Absence of magnetic monopoles (generally valid)

x B o j Amperes Law (limited to magnetostatics (.j = 0))

Amperes Law
Can B(r) be expressed in terms of a potential? Yes!

B(r )

o
j(r' )
x
dr'
4
r r'

o
x A(r )
4

j(r' )
A(r ) o
dr'
4 r r'

B(r )

A is the vector potential