Electromagnetic Theory I (PH-424)

Problem Set 1

Question 1
Do the following without using vector identities,
R H
(a) Use Stoke’s theorem dS · (∇ × A) = dl · A, where A = c × F, where c is an arbitrary constant vector to
S C
establish the equality on the left side of

I Z Z
dl × F = dS[n̂i ∇Fi − n̂(∇ · F)] = dS[(n̂ × ∇) × F].
C S S

(b) confirm the equality on the right side of this expression.

H R
(c) show that r × dl = 2 dS
C S
Question 2
Using Dirac delta function in the appropriate coordinates, express the following charge distributions as three-
dimensional charge densities ρ(r): (a) In spherical coordinates, a charge Q uniformly distributed over a spherical shell
of radius R. (b) In cylindrical coordinates, a charge λ per unit length uniformly distributed over a cylindrical surface
of radius b. (c) In cylindrical coordinates, a charge Q spread uniformly over a flat circular disc of negligible thickness
and radius R. (d) The same as part (c), but using spherical coordinates.

Question 3
The time-averaged potential of a neutral hydrogen atom is given by

q e −αr  αr 
ϕ(r) = 1+
4πε0 r 2

where q is the magnitude of the electronic charge, and α−1 = a0 /2, a0 being the Bohr radius. Find the distribution
of charge (both continuous and discrete) that will give this potential and interpret your result physically.

Question 4
Find the potential on the axis of a uniformly charged solid cylinder, a distance z from the center. The length of the
cylinder is L, its radius is R, and the charge density is ρ. Use your result to calculate the electric field at this point.
(Assume that z > L/2.)

Question 5
Two long, cylindrical conductors of radii a1 and a2 are parallel and separated by a distance d, which is large
 −1
compared with either radius. Show that the capacitance per unit length is given approximately by C ≈ πε0 ln ad .
Here a is the geometrical mean of the two radii. Approximately what gauge wire (state diameter in millimeters)
would be necessary to make a two-wire transmission line with a capacitance of 1.2 × 10−11 F/m if the separation of
the wires was 0.5 cm? 1.5 cm? 5.0 cm?

Question 6
Confirm that the stress tensor formalism reproduces Rthe familiar Coulomb force law between two identical point
charges separated by a distance 2d. Hint: Integrate F = dS n̂ · T(E) over a surface S that includes the perpendicular
S
bisector plane between the charges.

Question 7
The Cartesian components of the electric field in a charge-free region of space are Ek = Ck + Djk rj , where Ck and
Djk are constants.
 2
P
(a) Prove that Djk is symmetric (Djk = Dkj ) and traceless ( k Dkk = 0). (b) Find the most general electrostatic
potential that generates the electric field in part (a).

Question 8
Let the space between two concentric spheres with radii a and R ≥ a be filled uniformly with charge.
(a) Calculate the total energy UE in terms of the total charge Q and the variable x = a/R. Check the a = 0 and
a = R limits. (b) Minimize UE with respect to x (keeping the total charge Q constant). Identify the physical system
which achieves the minimum you find.

Question 9
The potential takes the constant value φ0 on the closed surface S which bounds the volume V . The total charge
inside V is Q. There is no charge anywhere else. Show that the electrostatic energy contained in the space outside of
S is UE (out)= Qφ0 /2.

Question 10
Use the electric stress tensor formalism to prove that no isolated charge distribution ρ(r) can exert a net force on
itself. Distinguish the cases when ρ(r) has a net charge and when it does not.