A cylinder of electric field varying in time

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving an infinite cylinder with a time-varying electric field and its effects on a rectangular wire placed outside the cylinder. Participants explore the application of Maxwell's equations, particularly focusing on how to determine the current induced in the wire due to the electric field and the resulting magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a problem involving a time-varying electric field inside an infinite cylinder and seeks to find the current in a wire placed outside the cylinder.
  • Another participant suggests using Ampere's law (with the displacement current) to calculate the magnetic field outside the cylinder.
  • A participant questions the applicability of Ampere's law, noting that the displacement current is zero outside the cylinder.
  • One participant proposes using Stoke's theorem to derive Ampere's law, indicating a method to relate the electric field's time derivative to the magnetic field.
  • A participant expresses understanding of using a cylindrical path to evaluate the magnetic field and questions whether the magnetic field is tangential, drawing an analogy to the magnetic field around a wire.
  • Another participant confirms that only the tangential component of the magnetic field contributes to the flux through the loop used in the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the application of Ampere's law and the role of the displacement current outside the cylinder. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to calculate the induced current in the wire.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the displacement current and the applicability of Maxwell's equations outside the cylinder. The discussion does not resolve these assumptions or clarify the mathematical steps fully.

alle.fabbri
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Hi, I have this problem:
In empty space there is an infinite cylinder, with its axis parallel to z axis and radius a, filled with an eletric field of equation
[tex]\vec{E}(t) = E_0 e^{\beta t} \hat{z}[/tex]
Now I put a rectangular wire on the plane yz out of the cylinder of side l and b (l lies on the y axis) and the question is: which is the current on the wire?

I try to attack the problem in the straightforward way. So I try to solve Maxwell's fourth equation
[tex]\vec{\nabla} \times \vec{B} = \frac{1}{c} \partial_t \vec{E}[/tex]
and initially I thought that I had to compute the flux through the wire of the varying magnetic field I get...but I realize that this is impossible because this equation is only valid inside the cylinder, where I have a varying electric field, and not outside where there is only empty space!

Could anyone help...please?!?
 
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Use Ampere's law (with the displacement current) to get B(t) outside the cylinder.
 
What do you mean with Amperè's Law?? Maybe the fourth Maxwell's Equation?? This one?
[tex]\vec{\nabla} \times \vec{B} = \mu_0 \vec{J} + \frac{1}{c^2} \frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}[/tex]
And if I do?? The displacement current is zero outside the cylinder...
 
Using Stoke's theorem, you can derive Ampere's law:
[tex]\oint{\bf dr}\cdot{\bf B}=\frac{1}{c^2}\int{\bf dS}\cdot\partial_t{\bf E}[/tex].
 
Ok...I get what you mean. So I choose a cylinder of radius r>a and height z, evaluate the flux of [tex]\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}[/tex] and thanks to Ampere's Law this is equal to the path integral of B over a circle of radius r in the at height z parallel to xy plane. May I say that B is always tangential so the path integral is easy to evaluate?? If yes why?? I thought in analogy with the magnetic field generated by a wire...

Thank you

Ciao!
 
It is just like a wire, but it doesn't matter.
For the loop you have only B tangential enters the flux.
 

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