PHS 341-TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

Spherical Coordinates Cylindrical coordinates

x  r sin  cos x  r cos
y  r sin  sin  y  r sin 
z  r cos zz

1. Find the divergence of a field whose variables are defined as V x= sin y and Vy=0 and
Vz=0.
2. Suppose we have a vector field defined by the relation Vx= 2; Vy=5 and Vz=0. Find the
curl V
3. The potential function for a certain electric field is given as V=x 2+y2-zy. Find the
gradient V in magnitude and direction at the point (2,3,4).
1 1
4. If Vx  1
and Vy  1
. Find its divergence and curl.
(x2  y 2 ) 2 (x2  y2 ) 2
5. Given E  i ( x 2  y 2 )  j ( x  y ) . Find  2 E .
1
Find the Laplacian of for r  f ( x, y, z ) where r  x  y  z .
2 2 2
6.
r
7. Find the divergence and curl for the vector field E  i( x )
r
8. Find the Laplacian of the vector-point function A  i(2 x  y 2 )  j ( y 2  3z 2 )  k ( x 2  2 z 2 )
2

9. Prove the identity div curl A  .(xA)  0

10. Prove the identity curl curl A  x(xA)  (. A)   2 A .
x y
11. Prove the vector identity Vx  2 ; Vy  2 ; Vz=0. Compute its
(x  y )2
(x  y2 )
divergence and curl utilizing cylindrical coordinates.
1
12. Find the Laplacian of for r=f(x, y, z) where r  x 2  y 2  z 2 using spherical
r
coordinates.
13. If the scalar potential is V=8x+4y2. Find E at (0,0,0), (0,3,0), (3,0,0), (3,3,0).
Q
14. Find E if V  where r  x 2  y 2  z 2 .
4r
15. Repeat question 14 using spherical coordinates.
16. Assume E  iy  jx . What scalar potential can this vector be derived from?
17. Find the vector potential that will give rise to a field intensity E  xi  2 yj  kz .
18. Find the volume of a sphere of radius r by using the divergence theorem.
19. Find the force between 2 point charges q1 and q2. Both are negatively charged and one is
located at (0,0) and the other at (0,1m). q1  1C, q2  2C . What is the direction of the
force?
20. Find the force between 2 point charges, one located at (2,0,0) and the other at (-2,0,0).
21. Calculate the electric flux density at a point d meters from the centre of a uniform
spherical distribution of charge. Consider the sphere to have a radius r and the volume
 density of the charge to be 𝜌 coulombs/cubic meter. Treat the cases of d>r and d<r. Use
Gauss’ flux theorem.
22. Consider a parallel plate condenser with charges of 𝜎 and –𝜎 on the two plates
respectively. Find capacitance per unit area (neglecting finging). Find solution to
Laplace’s equation for electric field between the plates.
23. Two parallel charged metal plates are separated by a distance of 0.1mm and charged to a
voltage difference of 100 volts. If charge is not allowed to leak off and the plates are now
separated by 1cm, what is the new voltage difference between them?
24. Obtain an expression for the capacitance per unit length and the potential at any point
between two infinite, concentric cylinders. Consider the outer one to be at zero potential
and the inner one at V1.
25. Find the electric field intensity and potential at any point outside an infinitely long, thin
cylindrical wire, bearing a surface charge (uniformly distributed per unit length).
26. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are separated by a dielectric whose relative
permittivity varies continuously with thickness as follows.
1
r  . It is required to compute the capacitance.
x2
1 2
3d
27. Two infinite, parallel plates are separated by a distance d. If there is a field E acting
between tem; what is the attractive force? Neglecting fringing.
29. Define a magnetic vector potential such that H  xA and in a space where current is
1 1
4  r
flowing the magnetic field has curl given by xH  J . Show that A  dv .
30. The vector field A is define by the following equations Ax=15; Ay=0; Az=0 respectively.
Find both the scalar and vector potentials corresponding to this field intensity.