3.

1 Current and Current density

3.1 Current and Current density

Module 3: Electrostatic boundary conditions
Course: ECE1003 Electromagnetic Field Theory

-Dr Richards Joe Stanislaus

Assistant Professor - SENSE
 3.1 Current and Current density

Overview
1. About the module
2. Properties of materials that influence electric field
3.1 Current, 𝐼
3.2 Current density, 𝐉
3.3 Convection Current
3.4 Conduction Current
4. Conductors
 3.1 Current and Current density

1. About the module

• Electrostatics: static (or time invariant) electric fields in material
space
• Materials: Conductors and non-conductors(dielectrics/insulators)
• Conduction
• Electric current
 3.1 Current and Current density

1. About the module

• Electrostatics: static (or time invariant) electric fields in material
space
• Materials: Conductors and non-conductors(dielectrics/insulators)
• Conduction
• Electric current
• Polarization
• Material properties: Permittivity, susceptibility, isotropy, linearity,
homogeneity, dielectric strength, relaxation time
• Boundary conditions for electric fields in two different media
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
• Materials are classified w.r.t. their
conductivity 𝜎 (mhos per meter ℧/m
or seimens per meter S/m) as
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
• Materials are classified w.r.t. their
conductivity 𝜎 (mhos per meter ℧/m
or seimens per meter S/m) as

Material

Semi- Non-conductors
Conductors
conductors (Insulators or
(Metals)
dielectrics)

𝜎≫1 𝜎≪1
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field Material
(Conductors)
Conductivity (seimens/meter)

• Materials are classified w.r.t. their Silver 6.1 × 107

conductivity 𝜎 (mhos per meter ℧/m Copper 5.8 × 102
(annealed)
or seimens per meter S/m) as
Gold 4.1 × 107
Aluminium 3.5 × 107
Material
Tungsten 1.8 × 107
Semi- Non-conductors Zinc 1.7 × 107
Conductors
conductors
(Metals)
(Insulators or Brass 1.1 × 107
dielectrics)
Iron (pure) 107
𝜎≫1 𝜎≪1 Lead 5 × 106
Mercury 106
Carbon 3 × 104
Water(sea) 4
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
Material Conductivity (seimens/meter)
(Semi-
conductors)
Germanium 2.2
(pure)
Silicon (pure) 4.4 × 10−4
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field Material Conductivity (seimens/meter)
(Insulators)
Material Conductivity (seimens/meter)
Water 10−4
(Semi-
(distilled)
conductors)
Earth (dry) 10−5
Germanium 2.2
(pure) Bakelite 10−10
Silicon (pure) 4.4 × 10−4 Paper 10−11
Glass 10−12
Porcelain 10−12
Mica 10−15
Paraffin 10−15
Rubber (hard) 10−15
Quartz(fused) 10−17
Wax 10−17
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
1
• Conductivity of metals 𝜎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑠 ∝
Temperature
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
1
• Conductivity of metals 𝜎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑠 ∝
Temperature
• At absolute zero, (𝑇 = 0°K), some conductors exhibit infinite
conductivity(super conductors)
• Example: lead (at 4°𝐾: 𝜎 = 1020 mhos/m) , aluminium
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
1
• Conductivity of metals 𝜎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑠 ∝
Temperature
• At absolute zero, (𝑇 = 0°K), some conductors exhibit infinite
conductivity(super conductors)
• Example: lead (at 4°𝐾: 𝜎 = 1020 mhos/m) , aluminium

• This module: Only metal and insulators (dielectric)

 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
1
• Conductivity of metals 𝜎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑠 ∝
Temperature
• At absolute zero, (𝑇 = 0°K), some conductors exhibit infinite
conductivity(super conductors)
• Example: lead (at 4°𝐾: 𝜎 = 1020 mhos/m) , aluminium

• This module: Only metal and insulators (dielectric)

• Metals: Amount of electrons available for conduction current is large
 3.1 Current and Current density

2. Properties of materials that influence electric

field
1
• Conductivity of metals 𝜎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑠 ∝
Temperature
• At absolute zero, (𝑇 = 0°K), some conductors exhibit infinite
conductivity(super conductors)
• Example: lead (at 4°𝐾: 𝜎 = 1020 mhos/m) , aluminium

• This module: Only metal and insulators (dielectric)

• Metals: Amount of electrons available for conduction current is large
• Dielectric: Few electrons for conduction of current
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.1 Current, 𝐼
• Two fundamental quantities in Electrical engineering: Current and
Voltage (potential difference)
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.1 Current, 𝐼
• Two fundamental quantities in Electrical engineering: Current and
Voltage (potential difference)
• Electric current: Caused by motion of electric charges
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.1 Current, 𝐼
• Two fundamental quantities in Electrical engineering: Current and
Voltage (potential difference)
• Electric current: Caused by motion of electric charges
• The current (amperes) through a given area = Electric charge
passing through the area per unit time
𝑑𝑄
𝐼=
𝑑𝑡
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.1 Current, 𝐼
• Two fundamental quantities in Electrical engineering: Current and
Voltage (potential difference)
• Electric current: Caused by motion of electric charges
• The current (amperes) through a given area = Electric charge
passing through the area per unit time
𝑑𝑄
𝐼=
𝑑𝑡
• In 1 ampere current: charge transfer occurs at a rate of 1 coulomb
per second
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.2 Current density, 𝐉

• For a current Δ𝐼 flowing through a surface Δ𝑆, the current density is
Δ𝐼
𝐽𝑛 =
Δ𝑆

S
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.2 Current density, 𝐉

• For a current Δ𝐼 flowing through a surface Δ𝑆, the current density is
Δ𝐼
𝐽𝑛 =
Δ𝑆
• Or Current in terms of current density:
Δ𝐼 = 𝐽𝑛 Δ𝑆 (Current density is perpendicular to surface)
Δ𝐼 = 𝐉 ∙ Δ𝐒
S
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.2 Current density, 𝐉

• For a current Δ𝐼 flowing through a surface Δ𝑆, the current density is
Δ𝐼
𝐽𝑛 =
Δ𝑆
• Or Current in terms of current density:
Δ𝐼 = 𝐽𝑛 Δ𝑆 (Current density is perpendicular to surface)
Δ𝐼 = 𝐉 ∙ Δ𝐒
S
𝐼= 𝑆
𝐉 ∙ Δ𝐒 (Applicable for all current densities)
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.2 Current density, 𝐉

• For a current Δ𝐼 flowing through a surface Δ𝑆, the current density is
Δ𝐼
𝐽𝑛 =
Δ𝑆
• Or Current in terms of current density:
Δ𝐼 = 𝐽𝑛 Δ𝑆 (Current density is perpendicular to surface)
Δ𝐼 = 𝐉 ∙ Δ𝐒
S
𝐼= 𝑆
𝐉 ∙ Δ𝐒 (Applicable for all current densities)
Current 𝐼 through surface 𝑆: flux of current density.
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.2 Current density, 𝐉

• For a current Δ𝐼 flowing through a surface Δ𝑆, the current density is
Δ𝐼
𝐽𝑛 =
Δ𝑆
• Or Current in terms of current density:
Δ𝐼 = 𝐽𝑛 Δ𝑆 (Current density is perpendicular to surface)
Δ𝐼 = 𝐉 ∙ Δ𝐒
𝐼 = 𝑆 𝐉 ∙ Δ𝐒 (Applicable for all current densities)
S
Current 𝐼 through surface 𝑆: flux of current density.
Types of current densities:
Convection current density
Conduction current density
Displacement current density (not discussed in this module)
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
• Example: Beam of electrons in vacuum tube
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
• Example: Beam of electrons in vacuum tube 𝑧 Δ𝑆 𝜌𝑣

• Consider a filament:
𝐮

𝑥 Δ𝑙
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
• Example: Beam of electrons in vacuum tube 𝑧 Δ𝑆 𝜌𝑣

• Consider a filament:
Flow of charge of density 𝜌𝑣 𝐮
Δ𝑙
velocity 𝐮 = 𝑢𝑦 𝐚𝑦 = 𝐚
Δ𝑡 𝑦 𝑦

𝑥 Δ𝑙
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
• Example: Beam of electrons in vacuum tube 𝑧 Δ𝑆 𝜌𝑣

• Consider a filament:
Flow of charge of density 𝜌𝑣 𝐮
Δ𝑙
velocity 𝐮 = 𝑢𝑦 𝐚𝑦 = 𝐚
Δ𝑡 𝑦 𝑦
Convection current in filament Δ𝐼:
Δ𝑄 𝑥 Δ𝑙
Δ𝐼 = =
Δ𝑡
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
• Example: Beam of electrons in vacuum tube 𝑧 Δ𝑆 𝜌𝑣

• Consider a filament:
Flow of charge of density 𝜌𝑣 𝐮
Δ𝑙
velocity 𝐮 = 𝑢𝑦 𝐚𝑦 = 𝐚
Δ𝑡 𝑦 𝑦
Convection current in filament Δ𝐼:
Δ𝑄 𝜌𝑣 Δ𝑆 Δ𝑙 𝑥 Δ𝑙
Δ𝐼 = = = 𝜌𝑣 Δ𝑆𝑢𝑦
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
• Example: Beam of electrons in vacuum tube 𝑧 Δ𝑆 𝜌𝑣

• Consider a filament:
Flow of charge of density 𝜌𝑣 𝐮
Δ𝑙
velocity 𝐮 = 𝑢𝑦 𝐚𝑦 = 𝐚
Δ𝑡 𝑦 𝑦
Convection current in filament Δ𝐼:
Δ𝑄 𝜌𝑣 Δ𝑆 Δ𝑙 𝑥 Δ𝑙
Δ𝐼 = = = 𝜌𝑣 Δ𝑆𝑢𝑦
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡
Δ𝐼
Current density(amperes/square meter) 𝐽𝑦 = =
Δ𝑆
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.3 Convection Current

• Convection current does not involve conductors. (current flow through
insulating media like liquid, rarefied gas or vacuum)
• Example: Beam of electrons in vacuum tube 𝑧 Δ𝑆 𝜌𝑣

• Consider a filament:
Flow of charge of density 𝜌𝑣 𝐮
Δ𝑙
velocity 𝐮 = 𝑢𝑦 𝐚𝑦 = 𝐚
Δ𝑡 𝑦 𝑦
Convection current in filament Δ𝐼:
Δ𝑄 𝜌𝑣 Δ𝑆 Δ𝑙 𝑥 Δ𝑙
Δ𝐼 = = = 𝜌𝑣 Δ𝑆𝑢𝑦
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡
Δ𝐼
Current density(amperes/square meter) 𝐽𝑦 = = 𝜌𝑣 𝑢𝑦 𝐉 = 𝜌𝑣 𝐮
Δ𝑆
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

• Conduction requires a conductor. (current flow through media with large
amount of free electrons due to an impressed electric field)
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

• Conduction requires a conductor. (current flow through media with large
amount of free electrons due to an impressed electric field)
• For an applied electric field 𝐄, the force on an electron with charge −𝑒 is
𝐅 = −𝑒𝐸.
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

• Conduction requires a conductor. (current flow through media with large
amount of free electrons due to an impressed electric field)
• For an applied electric field 𝐄, the force on an electron with charge −𝑒 is
𝐅 = −𝑒𝐸.
• Since electron is in medium (not free space), it will not be accelerated
under the influence of electric field.
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

• Conduction requires a conductor. (current flow through media with large
amount of free electrons due to an impressed electric field)
• For an applied electric field 𝐄, the force on an electron with charge −𝑒 is
𝐅 = −𝑒𝐸.
• Since electron is in medium (not free space), it will not be accelerated
under the influence of electric field.
• Electron suffers constant collision with the atomic lattice and drifts from
one atom to another.
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

• Conduction requires a conductor. (current flow through media with large
amount of free electrons due to an impressed electric field)
• For an applied electric field 𝐄, the force on an electron with charge −𝑒 is
𝐅 = −𝑒𝐸.
• Since electron is in medium (not free space), it will not be accelerated
under the influence of electric field.
• Electron suffers constant collision with the atomic lattice and drifts from
one atom to another.
• Electron: mass 𝑚 with average drift velocity 𝑢 in an electric field 𝐄,
The average change in momentum of the free electron = applied force
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

• Conduction requires a conductor. (current flow through media with large
amount of free electrons due to an impressed electric field)
• For an applied electric field 𝐄, the force on an electron with charge −𝑒 is
𝐅 = −𝑒𝐸.
• Since electron is in medium (not free space), it will not be accelerated under
the influence of electric field.
• Electron suffers constant collision with the atomic lattice and drifts from one
atom to another.
• Electron: mass 𝑚 with average drift velocity 𝑢 in an electric field 𝐄,
The average change in momentum of the free electron = applied force
𝑚𝐮 𝑒𝜏
= −𝑒𝐄 (Newton’s law) or 𝐮 = − 𝐄
𝜏 𝑚
where 𝜏 =average time interval between collissions
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

𝑒𝜏
• From 𝐮 = − 𝐄 , Drift velocity of the electron, 𝐮 ∝ 𝐄 applied electric field.
𝑚
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

𝑒𝜏
• From 𝐮 = − 𝐄 , Drift velocity of the electron, 𝐮 ∝ 𝐄 applied electric field.
𝑚
• In a unit volume, if n electrons are there: charge density 𝜌𝑣 = −𝑛𝑒
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

𝑒𝜏
• From 𝐮 = − 𝐄 , Drift velocity of the electron, 𝐮 ∝ 𝐄 applied electric field.
𝑚
• In a unit volume, if n electrons are there: charge density 𝜌𝑣 = −𝑛𝑒
• Conduction current density: 𝐉 = 𝜌𝑣 𝐮 =
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

𝑒𝜏
• From 𝐮 = − 𝐄 , Drift velocity of the electron, 𝐮 ∝ 𝐄 applied electric field.
𝑚
• In a unit volume, if n electrons are there: charge density 𝜌𝑣 = −𝑛𝑒
−𝑛𝑒 −𝑒𝜏
• Conduction current density: 𝐉 = 𝜌𝑣 𝐮 = 𝐄=
𝑚
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

𝑒𝜏
• From 𝐮 = − 𝐄 , Drift velocity of the electron, 𝐮 ∝ 𝐄 applied electric field.
𝑚
• In a unit volume, if n electrons are there: charge density 𝜌𝑣 = −𝑛𝑒
−𝑛𝑒 −𝑒𝜏
• Conduction current density: 𝐉 = 𝜌𝑣 𝐮 = 𝐄 = 𝑛𝑒 2 𝜏/𝑚𝐄 = 𝜎𝐄
𝑚
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

𝑒𝜏
• From 𝐮 = − 𝐄 , Drift velocity of the electron, 𝐮 ∝ 𝐄 applied electric field.
𝑚
• In a unit volume, if n electrons are there: charge density 𝜌𝑣 = −𝑛𝑒
−𝑛𝑒 −𝑒𝜏
• Conduction current density: 𝐉 = 𝜌𝑣 𝐮 = 𝐄 = 𝑛𝑒 2 𝜏/𝑚𝐄 = 𝜎𝐄
𝑚
𝐽 = 𝜎𝐸 (Point form of Ohm’s law)
 3.1 Current and Current density

3.4 Conduction Current

𝑒𝜏
• From 𝐮 = − 𝐄 , Drift velocity of the electron, 𝐮 ∝ 𝐄 applied electric field.
𝑚
• In a unit volume, if n electrons are there: charge density 𝜌𝑣 = −𝑛𝑒
−𝑛𝑒 −𝑒𝜏
• Conduction current density: 𝐉 = 𝜌𝑣 𝐮 = 𝐄 = 𝑛𝑒 2 𝜏/𝑚𝐄 = 𝜎𝐄
𝑚
𝐽 = 𝜎𝐸 (Point form of Ohm’s law)
• 𝜎 = 𝑛𝑒 2 𝜏/𝑚 is the conductivity of the conductor.
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: large amount of charge - free to
move.
• When external electric field 𝐄𝑒 is applied:
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: large amount of charge - free to
𝐄𝑒
move.
• When external electric field 𝐄𝑒 is applied:

𝐄𝑒

𝐄𝑒
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: large amount of charge - free to
𝐄𝑒
move. − +
• When external electric field 𝐄𝑒 is applied:
− +
(a) positive charges are pushed along the
direction of 𝐄𝑒 𝐄𝑒
− +
(b)negative charges are pushed in the
direction opposite of 𝐄𝑒 − +
𝐄𝑒
− +
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: large amount of charge - free to
𝐄𝑒
move. − +
• When external electric field 𝐄𝑒 is applied:
− +
(a) positive charges are pushed along the
direction of 𝐄𝑒 𝐄𝑒
− +
(b)negative charges are pushed in the
direction opposite of 𝐄𝑒 − +
𝐄𝑒
• The free charges: − +
(a) Accumulate at the surface of
conductors (induced surface charges)
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: large amount of charge - free to
move. 𝐄𝑒
− +
• When external electric field 𝐄𝑒 is applied: 𝐄𝑖
(a) positive charges are pushed along the − +
direction of 𝐄𝑒 𝐄𝑒
− +
(b)negative charges are pushed in the
direction opposite of 𝐄𝑒 𝐄𝑖
− +
• The free charges: 𝐄𝑒
(a) Accumulate at the surface of − +
conductors (induced surface charges)
(b) Induced surface charges set up
internal induced field 𝐄𝐢 (which cancels the
external field)
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: large amount of charge - free to
move. 𝐄𝑒
− +
• When external electric field 𝐄𝑒 is applied:
(a) positive charges are pushed along the − +
direction of 𝐄𝑒 𝐄𝑒
− +
(b)negative charges are pushed in the
direction opposite of 𝐄𝑒
− +
• The free charges: 𝐄=0 𝐄𝑒
(a) Accumulate at the surface of − +
conductors (induced surface charges)
A perfect conductor cannot
(b) Induced surface charges set up contain electrostatic field within it.
internal induced field 𝐄𝐢 (which cancels the
external field)
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: equipotential body (potential is
𝐄𝑒
same everywhere in the conductor: 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 0) − +

− +
𝐄𝑒
− +

− +
𝐄=0 𝐄𝑒
− +
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: equipotential body (potential is
𝐄𝑒
same everywhere in the conductor: 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 0) − +
• 𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉 = 0
− +
𝐄𝑒
− +

− +
𝐄=0 𝐄𝑒
− +
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: equipotential body (potential is
𝐄𝑒
same everywhere in the conductor: 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 0) − +
• 𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉 = 0
− +
• Consider Ohms law: 𝐉 = 𝜎𝐄.
𝐄𝑒
For finite current density in conductor (which − +
has 𝜎 → ∞), the electric field inside the
conductor, 𝐄 → 0. − +
𝐄=0 𝐄𝑒
− +
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: equipotential body (potential is
𝐄𝑒
same everywhere in the conductor: 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 0) − +
• 𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉 = 0
− +
• Consider Ohms law: 𝐉 = 𝜎𝐄.
𝐄𝑒
For finite current density in conductor (which − +
has 𝜎 → ∞), the electric field inside the
conductor, 𝐄 → 0. − +
𝐄=0 𝐄𝑒
• On introduction of charges in interior of the − +
conductor, the charges redistribute
themselves on surface in a manner to A perfect conductor cannot
provide net 𝐸 = 0 within conductor. contain electrostatic field within it.
 3.1 Current and Current density

4. Conductors
• Conductor: equipotential body (potential is
𝐄𝑒
same everywhere in the conductor: 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 0) − +
• 𝐸 = −𝛻𝑉 = 0
− +
• Consider Ohms law: 𝐉 = 𝜎𝐄. 𝜌𝑣 = 0
𝐄𝑒
For finite current density in conductor (which − +
has 𝜎 → ∞), the electric field inside the
conductor, 𝐄 → 0. − +
𝐄=0 𝐄𝑒
• On introduction of charges in interior of the − +
conductor, the charges redistribute
themselves on surface in a manner to A perfect conductor cannot
provide net 𝐸 = 0 within conductor. contain electrostatic field within it.
• Gauss law: If 𝐸 = 0, 𝜌𝑣 = 0.