B inside a cylinder of radius R

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the magnetic field B inside an infinitely long cylinder with a uniform current density J. The cylinder is oriented along the z-axis, and participants are exploring the application of Ampere's law versus the Biot-Savart law to find B in Cartesian coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using Ampere's law to derive the magnetic field inside the cylinder and express it in Cartesian coordinates. There is confusion regarding the applicability of Ampere's law versus the Biot-Savart law for this scenario. Questions arise about the correctness of the derived expressions and the conversion to Cartesian coordinates.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided calculations using Ampere's law and are seeking confirmation on their approach. Others are questioning how to express the magnetic field in Cartesian coordinates and whether the Biot-Savart law is necessary for this conversion. The discussion is ongoing with multiple interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of magnetic field calculations in the context of a uniform current distribution and are considering the implications of symmetry in their approaches. There is also a focus on ensuring the correct sign and direction of the magnetic field vector in a right-handed coordinate system.

Murr14
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hey all, this is confusing me a lot:

consider an infinitely long cylinder of cross-section radius R. we choose symmetry axis of the cylinder as the z-axis. The cylinder carries a uniform current density J in the +z direction throughout it's cross section. what is B at r inside of the cylinder? Express you answer in the component form B = Bx i + By j + Bz k


...what I'm confused about is whether or not I can use ampere's law with an amperian loop inside the cylinder or if i have to use Biot-Savart...

i did it using ampere's law and i got |B| = uJs/2 ...and the vector B is in the phi direction...wrapping around the z-axis...did i do that right? how do i get it into cartesian coords? Do i have to use Biot-Savart into be able to get it in cartesian coords regardless of whether or not ampere's law can be used?
 
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Murr14 said:
i did it using ampere's law and i got |B| = uJs/2 ...and the vector B is in the phi direction...wrapping around the z-axis...did i do that right? how do i get it into cartesian coords? Do i have to use Biot-Savart into be able to get it in cartesian coords regardless of whether or not ampere's law can be used?
It is a fairly simple Ampere's law problem. The line integral of the magnetic field around a circle at radius r is just:

[tex]\oint \vec B\cdot ds = \mu_0I_{encl}= \mu_0AJ = \mu_0\pi r^2J[/tex]

due to symmetry, |B| is constant and always in the direction of ds so:

[tex]\oint \vec B\cdot ds = B2\pi r[/tex]

[tex]B2\pi r = \mu_0\pi r^2J[/tex]

[tex]B = \mu_0rJ/2[/tex]

At a given point [itex]\vec r = x\hat i + y\hat j[/itex], the magnetic field vector is perpendicular to the radial vector. So By/Bx = x/y. Divide by r to get the unit vectors.

[tex]\vec B = B\frac{y}{r}\hat i + B\frac{x}{r}\hat j[/tex]

where [tex]B = \mu_0rJ/2[/tex]

AM
 
ok thanks man...that makes sense...ok so thaty's B for inside the cylinder...now whatabout outside?
 
Murr14 said:
ok thanks man...that makes sense...ok so thaty's B for inside the cylinder...now whatabout outside?
Outside the enclosed current is the entire current in the cylinder. So:

[tex]B = \mu_0J\pi R^2/2\pi D[/tex] where D is the distance from the centre.

AM
 
IN a right handed coordinate system, Should that be

[tex]\vec B = -B\frac{y}{r}\hat i + B\frac{x}{r}\hat j[/tex]
 

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