PH 206: Electromagnetic Theory

Homework 5 (Magnetostatics)

1. (Jackson, Prob. 5.1) Starting with the differential expression

µ0 I 0 r − r0
dB = dl × ,
4π |r − r0 |3

show explicitly that for a closed loop carying a current I, the magnetic field B at a point P is given

by
µ0 I
B= ∇Ω,
4π

where Ω is the solid angle subtended by the loop at P .

2. A hollow cylinder of length L, radius a and uniform surface charge density σ rotates with a constant

angular velocity ω about its axis.

(i) Find the magnetic field at a point r by setting up the integrals for the magnetic field and

expanding the integrand in a Taylor series.

(ii) Write down the expression for the vector potential and expand it in a multipole series. Calculate

the resulting magnetic field and compare it with the answer from (i) above.

3. (Jackson Prob. 5.10) Two concentric circular loops of radii a and b and currents I, I 0 (b < a) have

an angle α between their planes. Show that the torque on one of the loops is aboue the line of

intersection of the two planes containing the loops and has the magnitude

∞
"
#2  2n
µ0 πII 0 b2 X n + 1 Γ n + 32 b 1
N= P2n+1 (cos α).
2a n=0
2n + 1 Γ(n + 2)Γ(3/2) a

4. (Jackson Prob. 5.13) A circular loop of wire of radius a and negligible thickness carries a current

1
 I. The loop is centered in a spherical cavity in a large block of soft iron. Assume that the relative

permeability of the iron is effectively infinite and that of the medium in the cavity, unity.

(a) In the approximation b  a, show that the magnetic field at the center of the loop is augmented

by a factor (1 + a3 /2b3 ) by the presence of the iron.

(b) What is the radius of the “image” current loop (carrying the same current) that simulates the

effect of the iron for r < b?

5. (Jackson Prob. 5.15) A circular loop of wire having a radius a and carrying a current I is located in

vacuum with its center a distance d away from a semi-infinite slab of permeability µ. Find the force

acting on the loop when

(a) the plane of the loop is parallel to the face of the slab,

(b) the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the face of the slab.

(c) Determine the limiting form of your answer to parts (a) and (b) when d  a. Can you obtain

these limiting values in some simple and direct way?