Poisson’s and Laplace’s Equations

The calculation of Electric potentials is to relate that potential

to the charge density which gives rise to it. The electric field is
related to the charge density by the divergence relationship

and the electric field is related to the electric potential by

a gradient relationship

Therefore the potential is related to the charge density by

Poisson's equation

In a charge-free region of space, this becomes LaPlace's

equation

This mathematical operation, the divergence of the gradient of

a function, is called the LaPlacian. Expressing the LaPlacian in
different coordinate systems to take advantage of the
symmetry of a charge distribution helps in the solution for the
electric potential V. For example, if the charge distribution has
spherical symmetry, you use the LaPlacian in spherical polar
coordinates.
Since the potential is a scalar function, this approach has
advantages over trying to calculate the electric field directly.
Once the potential has been calculated, the electric field can be
computed by taking the gradient of the potential.

The equations of Poisson and Laplace

The equations of Poisson and Laplace are among the important

mathematical equations used in electrostatics.
The Poisson’s equation is:

d 2V d 2V d 2V 
2
 2  2 
dx dy dz 0

and the Laplace equation is:

 2V  0 Where,

d 2V d 2V d 2V
2   
dx 2 dy 2 dz 2

Where, dV = small component of volume , dx = small

component of distance between two charges ,  = the charge
density and 0 = the Permittivity of vacuum.

Biot Savart law

Biot-Savart’s law is an equation that gives the magnetic field

produced due to a current carrying segment. This segment is
taken as a vector quantity known as the current element.
What is the Formula of Biot-Savart’s Law?

Consider a current carrying wire ‘i’ in a specific direction.Take a

small element of the wire of length ds. The direction of this
element is along that of the current so that it forms a vector i
ds.
To know the magnetic field produced at a point due to this
small element, one can apply Biot-Savart’s Law. Let the position
vector of the point in question drawn from the current element
be r and the angle between the two be θ. Then,
 0 Idl sin 
dB  ( )( )
4 r2

Where, μ0 is the permeability of free space and is equal to 4π

× 10-7 TmA-1.
The direction of the magnetic field is always in a plane
perpendicular to the line of element and position vector. It is
given by the right-hand thumb rule where the thumb points to
the direction of conventional current and the other fingers
show the magnetic field’s direction.

Applications of Biot-Savart’s Law

Some of Biot-Savart’s Law applications are given below.

 We can use Biot–Savart law to calculate magnetic

responses even at the atomic or molecular level.
 It is also used in aerodynamic theory to calculate the
velocity induced by vortex lines.

Importance of Biot-Savart Law

Following are the importance of the Biot-Savart law:

 Biot-Savart law is similar to Coulomb’s law in

electrostatics.
 The law is applicable for very small conductors too which
carry current.
 The law is applicable for symmetrical current distribution.
Ampere's Law
“The magnetic field created by an electric current is
proportional to the size of that electric current with
a constant of proportionality equal to the
permeability of free space.”
The equation explaining Ampere’s law which is the
final Maxwell’s equation is given below:
D
 H  J
t

Ampere’s circuital law can be written as the line integral of the

magnetic field surrounding closed-loop equals to the number of
times the algebraic sum of currents passing through the loop.
H .dL  I enc
Suppose a conductor carries a current I, then this current flow
generates a magnetic field that surrounds the wire.

The equation’s left side describes that if an imaginary path

encircles the wire and the magnetic field is added at every
point, then it is numerically equal to the current encircled by
this route, indicated by Ienc.
Stokes' theorem
The Stoke’s theorem states that “the surface integral of the
curl of a function over a surface bounded by a closed surface is
equal to the line integral of the particular vector function
around that surface.”

c F .dr   s (  F ).dS
Where,
C = A closed curve.
S = Any surface bounded by C.
F = A vector field whose components have continuous
derivatives in an open region of R3 containing S.

Stokes Theorem Applications

Stokes’ theorem provides a relationship between line integrals

and surface integrals. Based on our convenience, one can
compute one integral in terms of the other. Stokes’ theorem is
also used in evaluating the curl of a vector field. Stokes’
theorem and the generalized form of this theorem are
fundamental in determining the line integral of some particular
curve and evaluating a bounded surface’s curl. Generally, this
theorem is used in physics, particularly in electromagnetism.

Magnetic Flux
Magnetic flux is defined as the number of magnetic field lines
passing through a given closed surface. It provides the
measurement of the total magnetic field that passes through a
given surface area. Here, the area under consideration can be
of any size and under any orientation with respect to the
direction of the magnetic field.

Magnetic Flux Symbol

 Magnetic flux is commonly denoted using Greek letter Phi

or Phi suffix B.
 Magnetic flux symbol: Φ or ΦB.

Magnetic Flux Formula

Magnetic flux formula is given by:
 B  B. A  BA cos 

Where,

 ΦB is the magnetic flux.

 B is the magnetic field
 A is the area
 θ the angle at which the field lines pass through the given
surface area

Magnetic Flux Unit

Magnetic flux is usually measured with a flux meter. The SI and

CGS unit of magnetic flux is given below:

 SI unit of magnetic flux is Weber (Wb).

 The fundamental unit is Volt-seconds.

 The CGS unit is Maxwell.