PHY103A: Physics II Semester II, 2017-18; IIT Kanpur

Mid-Semester Examination: Solution

Feb 22nd, 2018 Time: 8:00-10:00 am Maximum Marks: 80

Answer all 5 questions.

Calculators are not allowed.
A set of important formulas and information are provided on the next page.
 Helpful Formulas and Information

The vector derivatives in cartesian coordinates:

∂T ∂T ∂T
∇T = x̂ + ŷ + ẑ
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂Vx ∂Vy ∂Vz
∇·V = + +
∂x ∂y ∂z
     
∂Vz ∂Vy ∂Vx ∂Vz ∂Vy ∂Vx
∇×V = − x̂ + − ŷ + − ẑ
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y
∂2T ∂2T ∂2T
∇2 T = + +
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2

The vector derivatives in spherical coordinates:

∂T 1 ∂T 1 ∂T
∇T = r̂ + θ̂ + φ̂,
∂r r ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ
1 ∂ 2   1 ∂   1 ∂
∇·V = 2 r Vr + sin θVθ + Vφ
r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ
1 h∂ ∂Vθ i 1 h 1 ∂Vr ∂ i 1h ∂ ∂Vr i
∇×V = (sin θVφ ) − r̂ + − (rVφ ) θ̂ + (rVθ ) − φ̂
r sin θ ∂θ ∂φ r sin θ ∂φ ∂r r ∂r ∂θ
1 ∂  2 ∂T  1 ∂  ∂T  1 ∂2T
∇2 T = 2 r + 2 sin θ + 2 2 .
r ∂r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ2

The vector derivatives in cylindrical coordinates:

∂T 1 ∂T ∂T
∇T = ŝ + φ̂ + ẑ
∂s s ∂φ ∂z
1 ∂(sVs ) 1 ∂Vφ ∂Vz
∇·V = + +
s ∂s s ∂φ ∂z
h 1 ∂V ∂V i h ∂V ∂Vz i 1 h ∂(sVφ ) ∂Vs i
z φ s
∇×V = − ŝ + − φ̂ + − ẑ
s ∂φ ∂z ∂z ∂s s ∂s ∂φ
1 ∂  ∂T  1 ∂2T ∂2T
∇2 T = s + 2 + .
s ∂s ∂s s ∂φ2 ∂z 2

Vector Identities:

∇ · (f A) = f (∇ · A) + A · (∇f )
∇ · (A × B) = B · (∇ × A) − A · (∇ × B)
∇ × (f A) = f (∇ × A) − A × (∇f ),
∇ × (A × B) = (B · ∇)A − (A · ∇)B + A(∇ · B) − B(∇ · A)
∇ × (∇ × A) = ∇(∇ · A) − ∇2 A.

Fundamental Constants:

0 = 8.85 × 10−12 C2 /Nm2

µ0 = 4π × 10−7 N/A2
Problem 1:
(a) Suppose A is a vector function given by A = Ax (x, y, z)x̂ + Ay (x, y, z)ŷ + Az (x, y, z)ẑ. Evaluate the quantity
∇ · (∇ × A) showing all the steps explicitly. (3 marks)
(b) If r and r 0 are the observation and source position vectors, respectively,
  and if r = |r − r 0 | is the magnitude of
1
the displacement vector. Explicitly evaluate the quantity ∇0 . (3 marks)
r

(c) For the vector field V = r2 cos θr̂ + r2 cos φθ̂ − r2 cos θ sin φφ̂, calculate
R H
vol
(∇ · V )dτ and surf
V · da for the
hemisphere of radius R as shown in the figure below. (4 marks)

y
x

Solution 1:
(a)
     
∂Az ∂Ay ∂Ax ∂Az ∂Ay ∂Ax
∇×A= − x̂ + − ŷ + − ẑ
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y
     
∂ ∂Az ∂Ay ∂ ∂Ax ∂Az ∂ ∂Ay ∂Ax
Or, ∇ · (∇ × A) = − + − + − =0 (1)
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z ∂x ∂z ∂x ∂y

(b) We have

∂ ∂ ∂
∇0 = x̂ + 0 ŷ + 0 ẑ
∂x0 ∂y ∂z
1 1
and =p
r (x − x ) + (y − y 0 )2 + (z − z 0 )2
0 2

(x − x0 )x̂ + (y − y 0 )ŷ + (z − z 0 )ẑ r̂

 
1
Therefore, ∇0 = = 2 (2)
r 3 r r

(c)
R π/2 2π
R4
Z Z Z Z Z
3 1
(∇ · V )dτ = 4r cos θdτ = 4 r dr cos θ sin θdθ dφ = 4 × × × 2π = πR4 (3)
vol vol 0 0 0 4 2

We have two different surfaces here. One is the hemispherical surface and the other one is the surface on the x − y
plane.
(i) x − y plane: da = r sin θdrdφφ̂. So, V · da = r2 cos θr sin θdrdφ = 0, since θ = π/2. Therefore, V · da = 0
R

(ii) Hemispherical surface: da = R2 sin θdθdφr̂ So, V · da = R2 cos θR2 sin θdθdφ.
R π/2 R 2π
So, V · da = R4 0 sin θ cos θdθ 0 dφ = R4 × 21 × 2π = πR4
R
Problem 2:
(a) A dielectric sphere of radius r, centered at the origin, carries a polarization P = kr. Calculate the total volume
bound charge and the total surface bound charge. (3 marks)
(b) Consider a planar square sheet of side a with constant surface charge density σ (see figure below). Calculate the
electric field on the z-axis very close to the sheet, that is, when s → 0. (3 marks)

s
¾ y
x

R
(c) A sphere of radius R, centered at the origin, carries charge density ρ(r, θ) = k (R−r) sin θ, where k is a constant,
r2
and r, θ are the usual spherical coordinates (see figure below). Evaluate the leading contribution to the potential
at points r0 on the z axis, far from the sphere. (4 marks)

z
r0

®
R r
y

Solution 2:
(a) The volume charge density is given by ρb = −∇ · P = −∇ · (kxx̂ + kyŷ + kzẑ) = −k(1 + 1 + 1) = −3k. So the
4
total volume charge is Qv = −3k πR3 = −4πkR3 .
3
The surface charge density is given by σb = P · n̂|surface = kR. So, the total surface charge is Qs = kR × 4πR2 =
4πkR3 . So, the total bound charge is Q = Qv + Qs = −4πkR3 + 4πkR3 = 0, as expected.
(b) Since the observation point is very close to the surface, we have s → 0. Using the Gauss law and the boundary
σ
condition that Eabove − Ebelow = σ/0 , we have that the electric field on the z-axis very close to the sheet is
20
(c) Monopole term: We have
Z
1
Vmono (r0 ) = ρ(r)dτ
4π0 z
Z  
1 R
= k 2 (R − 2r) sin θ r2 sin θdrdθdφ
4π0 z r
Z Z R Z π Z 2π
1 2 1 2
= kR (R − 2r) sin θdrdθdφ = kR × (R − r)dr × sin θdθ ×dφ
4π0 z 4π0 z 0 0 0

RR R
The r-integral yields (R − r)dr = (Rr − r2 /2) = R2 − R2 /2 = R2 /2. Therefore, the leading contribution is

0 0

1 R2 π πkR3
Vmono (r0 ) = kR × × × 2π =
4π0 z 2 2 80 z
Problem 3:
(a) Two long coaxial cylindrical metal tubes (inner radius a, outer radius b) stand vertically in a tank of dielectric
oil (susceptibility χe , mass density ρ). The inner one is maintained at potential V and the outer one is grounded.
To what height (h) does the oil rise in the space between the tubes. (10 marks)
(b) A cylindrical conductor of radius a is centered about the z axis. It has a cylindrical hole of radius b bored parallel
to, and centered a distance d from, the z axis (d + b < a). The current density J = J ẑ is uniform throughout the
remaining metal of the cylinder and is parallel to the axis. A cross-section of the cylinder is shown in the figure
below. Find the magnitude and the direction of the magnetic field in the hole. (10 marks)

a b
x
d

Solution 3:

(a) We need to find the capacitance as a function of the height h and then use the formula for the force on a dielectric
to obtain the final height that the oil would rise up to. In order to calculate the capacitance we’ll need to calculate
the potential and then the total charge. Assume that the total length of the tubes is l and that the oil rises up to
height h. We assume that the line charge density of the air-part of the tubes is λ and that of the oil part is λ0 .
The potential can be calculated as follows:
2λ
For the air part Eair =
4π0 s
 
2λ b
⇒ Vair = ln
4π0 a
2λ0
For the oil part Doil =
4πs
2λ0
⇒ Eoil =
4πs  
2λ0 b
⇒ Voil = ln
4π a

We have the boundary condition that Voil = Vair = V . Therefore we have λ0 = λ = r λ. The total charge on
0
the tube is

Q = λ0 h + λ(l − h) = r λh − λh + λl = λ[(r − 1) + l] = λ(χe h + l)

Therefore the capacitance of the system is

Q λ(χe h + l) (χe h + l)
C= =   = 2π0  
V 2λ b b
ln ln
4π0 a a

Therefore, the force on the oil in the upward direction is

1 2 dC 1 2π0 χe
F1 = V = V2  
2 dh 2 b
ln
a
 The gravitational force on the oil in the downward direction is

F2 = mg = ρπ(b2 − a2 )gh

The two forces become equal after the liquid rises up to height h. This is the maximum height of the liquid and
is given by

0 χ e V 2
h=  
b
ρ(b2 − a2 )gln
a

(b) We use the principle of superposition. Thus the magnetic field B a point inside the hole can be written as
B = B1 + B2 , where B1 is the magnetic field due to the solid cylinder of radius a with the current density
J1 = J ẑ and where B2 is the magnetic field due to the solid cylinder of radius b with the current density
J2 = −J ẑ

y y y

a b a b
r r’ r r’
x = x + x
d d

J=Jz J1=Jz J2= - Jz

In order to calculate B1 , we apply Ampere’s law to the first cylinder and get

I Z
µ0 Jr µ0 J
B1 · dl = µ0 J1 · da =⇒ B1 = , and B1 = ẑ × r (4)
2 2

Similarly, in order to calculate B2 , we apply Ampere’s law to the second cylinder and get

µ0 Jr0
I Z
µ0 J
B2 · dl = µ0 J2 · da =⇒ B2 = − , and B2 = − ẑ × r 0 (5)
2 2

Therefore, we get
µ0 J µ0 J µ0 Jd µ0 Jd
B = B1 + B2 = ẑ × (r − r 0 ) = ẑ × d = ẑ × x̂ = ŷ (6)
2 2 2 2
Problem 4:
(a) A uniform surface charge density σ exists over the entire x − y plane except for a circular hole of radius R centered
at the origin. Find the electric field along the z-axis. Plot the electric field strength as a function of z in the range
−∞ < z < ∞, indicating all the limiting values on the plot. (6+2 marks)
(b) The electric field due to a static charge distribution has x component Ex = kx2 yz. Construct a valid functional
form for the other two components. (6 marks)
(c) An infinite conducting plane has a hemispherical bump of radius R (see figure below). A point charge q is located
at a distance R above the top of the hemisphere. Find the force on the charge q. (6 marks)

z
q
R
R
y
Solution 4:

(a) First, we calculate the field due to a uniformly charged disk centered at the origin. The field will be in the
z-direction. And we have

z P

q z

r
R x
da

Z  
1 σda
Ez = cos θ
4π0 r2 + z 2
Z  
1 σ z
= √ rdrdφ
4π0 r2 + z 2 r + z2
2
Z R Z 2π
σz rdr
= dφ
4π0 0 (r + z 2 )3/2 0
2

σz R
Z
rdr
=
20 0 (r + z 2 )3/2
2
 
σz 1 1
= √ −√ (7)
20 z2 z 2 + R2

Thus we have for the field due to a uniformly charged disc is:
 
σz 1 1
Edisc = −√ ẑ (8)
20 z z 2 + R2
 We know that the field due to a uniformly charged plane is
σ
Eplane = ẑ (9)
20

Therefore, the field due to the plane with a circular hole of radius R
σ z
E = Eplane − Edisc = √ ẑ (10)
20 z 2 + R2

σ
Now, in the limit z → ±∞, we have E = ±
20

Ez
¾/2²0

-¾/2²0

(b) We will solve this problem using the image charge method.

z
q
R

q'
R d
d y
q''=-q'

q'''=-q

qR q
We have q 0 = image charge due to the hemisphere = − =− .
2R 2
R2 R
Location of the image charge d = = .
2R 2
We need to put two more charges due to the infinite plane.
q R
q 00 = −q 0 = at z = − .
2 2
q 000 = −q at z = −2R.

Therefore, the force Fq on q is

  
q −q/2 q/2 q
Fq = + − ẑ
4π0 (3R/2)2 (5R/2)2 (4R)2
q2
 
2 2 1
= − + − ẑ
4π0 R2 9 25 16
q2
 
737
=− ẑ (11)
4π0 R2 3600

(c) Since this is a physical electric field, we have ∇ × E = 0, that is,

     
∂Ez ∂Ey ∂Ex ∂Ez ∂Ey ∂Ex
∇×E= − x̂ + − ŷ + − ẑ. (12)
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y

Comparing the z−components, we get

∂Ey ∂Ex
− =0
∂x ∂y
∂Ey ∂(kx2 yz)
Or, = = kx2 z
∂x ∂y
1
Or, Ey = kx3 z + f1 (y, z) (13)
3

Comparing the y−components, we get

∂Ex ∂Ez
− =0
∂z ∂x
∂Ez ∂(kx2 yz)
Or, = = kx2 y
∂x ∂z
1
Or, Ez = kx3 y + f2 (y, z) (14)
3

Comparing the x−components, we get

∂Ez ∂Ey
− =0
∂y ∂z
1 3 ∂f2 1 ∂f1
Or, kz + = kz 3 + (15)
3 ∂y 3 ∂z
The simplest choice that satisfies all the above conditions is f1 = f2 = 0. Therefore, we have
1 1
E = kx2 yz x̂ + kx3 z ŷ + kx3 y ẑ (16)
3 3
Problem 5:
A spherical shell of radius a carries a surface charge density σ. The shell rotates around the z-axis at an angular
velocity ω in an external magnetic field B = B0 x̂.
(a) Find the surface current density on the shell. (6 marks)
(b) Calculate the magnetic dipole moment m of the rotating spherical shell. (6 marks)
(c) Calculate the torque N exerted on the shell using the basic definition of the torque (N = r × F ). (6 marks)
(d) Again, calculate the torque N exerted on the shell using the formula N = m × B. (2 marks)

Solution 5:
z
!

½
adµ
r
µ
y
Á
x

(a) The radius of the shell is a and the constant surface charge density is σ. When the spherical shell spins with an
angular frequency ω the surface current density K is

K = σV = σ(ω × r). (17)

Here, r is the vector from the origin to the element on the shell. Therefore, we have
 

 x̂ ŷ ẑ 
K = σ(ω × r) = σ  0 0 ω  = σωa sin θ(cos φŷ − sin φx̂) = σωa sin θφ̂ = K0 sin θφ̂,
 a sin θ cos φ a sin θ sin φ a cos θ 
(18)

where K0 = σωa.
(b) The current on the infinitesimal element on the shell is I = K0 sin θadθ. The perpendicular distance from the
element to the z−axis is ρ = a sin θ. So, the infinitesimal dipole moment due to the ring is given by

dm = Iπρ2 ẑ = πK0 sin3 θa3 dθẑ. (19)

Therefore the total dipole moment is

Z Z π
4 3 4π 4
m = dm = πK0 sin3 θa3 dθẑ = πa K0 ẑ = σa ω ẑ (20)
0 3 3

(c) The force dF acting on a current element dl carrying current I in a magnetic field B = B0 x̂ is given by

dF = Idl × B = Kda × B = (K × B)da (21)

The torque on this element is

dN = r × dF = r × (K × B)da (22)
 Therefore the torque N due to the shell is
Z
N = r × (K × B)da
Z
= B0 r × (K × x̂)da
Z
= B0 [(r · x̂)K − x̂(r · K)] da
Z h i
= B0 (x)K − x̂(r · K0 sin θφ̂) da
Z
= B0 (x)Kda
Z
= B0 (a sin θ cos φ)(σωa sin θφ̂)(a2 sin θdθdφ) (23)
Z π Z 2π
= B0 σa4 ω sin3 θdθ cos φφ̂dφ
0 0
Z π Z 2π
4 3
= B0 σa ω sin θdθ cos φ(cos φŷ − sinφx̂)dφ
0 0
Z π Z 2π
4 3
= B0 σa ω sin θdθ (cos2 φŷ − sin φ cos φx̂)dφ
0 0

R 2π R 2π Rπ
We use 0
sin φ cos φdφ = 0, 0
cos2 φdφ = π, and 0
sin3 θdθ = 4/3 and get

4π
N= B0 σa4 ω ŷ (24)
3

4π 4 4π
(d) Using the formula N = m × B, we get N = σa ω ẑ × B0 x̂ = B0 σa4 ω ŷ
3 3