"Biot-Savart" version of Maxwell-Faraday equation?

[greswd]

Ampere's Law can be derived from the Biot-Savart Law.

Faraday's Law is similar to Ampere's Law.

Is there a "Biot-Savart equivalent" of Faraday's Law?

I imagine it might look something like this: (not taking into account Coulomb's Law)
$$\frac{d\vec{E}}{dV}=\frac{-\left(\frac{∂\vec{B}}{∂t}\right)×\vec{1_r}}{4\pi r^2}$$

Biot-Savart Law from hyperphysics:

 

[Charles Link]

The Biot-Savart's law type solution for E, comes from curl E=-dB/dt (Maxwell/Faraday equation in differential form) would need to be an integral that extended everywhere. With curl B=uoJ (for dE/dt=0), the solution for B in integral form is Biot-Savart's law (in integral form) which can be isolated to a single electrical charge, making Biot-Savart's law for this single charge. With an integral solution for curl E, the dB/dt can not be similarly isolated, so that a Biot-Savart type form would likely be impractical. Proceeding with a Stokes theorem approach and getting an integral of E*dl around a closed loop seems to be the only practical route for this one.

 

[greswd]

The Biot-Savart's law type solution for E, comes from curl E=-dB/dt (Maxwell/Faraday equation in differential form) would need to be an integral that extended everywhere. With curl B=uoJ (for dE/dt=0), the solution for B in integral form is Biot-Savart's law (in integral form) which can be isolated to a single electrical charge, making Biot-Savart's law for this single charge. With an integral solution for curl E, the dB/dt can not be similarly isolated, so that a Biot-Savart type form would likely be impractical. Proceeding with a Stokes theorem approach and getting an integral of E*dl around a closed loop seems to be the only practical route for this one.

That appears to be the case. But I'm wondering if there is anything in the literature about such a formula or something similar.

 

[Charles Link]

Even in the textbooks, they seem to often overlook the Biot-Savart integral form as being a solution to the (Maxwell's) curl equation. One thing that can arise with such a solution, is that a homogeneous solution needs to be added to the(inhomogeneous) integral solution. e.g. for curl B, I don't think it normally needs an an extra homogeneous solution, but I have found when using it to solve the curl H equation, that a solution of curl H=0 needs to be included to get a complete answer. (The integral H Biot-Savart type solution contains no magnetic pole contribution to H, and the curl H=0 solution contains this magnetic pole contribution.)

 

[greswd]

Even in the textbooks, they seem to often overlook the Biot-Savart integral form as being a solution to the (Maxwell's) curl equation. One thing that can arise with such a solution, is that a homogeneous solution needs to be added to the(inhomogeneous) integral solution. e.g. for curl B, I don't think it normally needs an an extra homogeneous solution, but I have found when using it to solve the curl H equation, that a solution of curl H=0 needs to be included to get a complete answer. (The integral H Biot-Savart type solution contains no magnetic pole contribution to H, and the curl H=0 solution contains this magnetic pole contribution.)

I see. So I'm wondering if there is anything in the literature about such a formula or something similar.

It also explains why an induced electric field can exist in a region where there is no magnetic field.

 

[Charles Link]

Such a formula is useful, as you said, to show the non-local contributions of the dB/dt to the Faraday E, but I think it would be impractical to use it in a computation to calculate the Faraday E. e.g. if you had a sinusoidal current in a solenoid creating a changing magnetic field B, instead of using an integral E*dl=-d(magnetic flux)/dt, and using the symmetry to get integral=E*2*pi*r, try computing the E from the dB/dt everywhere in a Biot-Savart type integral solution for E. I think you might find the integrals to be unmanageable.

 

[greswd]

Such a formula is useful, as you said, to show the non-local contributions of the dB/dt to the Faraday E, but I think it would be impractical to use it in a computation to calculate the Faraday E. e.g. if you had a sinusoidal current in a solenoid creating a changing magnetic field B, instead of using an integral E*dl=-d(magnetic flux)/dt, and using the symmetry to get integral=E*2*pi*r, try computing the E from the dB/dt everywhere in a Biot-Savart type integral solution for E. I think you might find the integrals to be unmanageable.

But I'm wondering if there is anything in the literature about such a formula or something similar?

 

[Charles Link]

In general, I think they have overlooked the Biot-Savart integral solution to the curl equation in the textbooks. The more advanced textbooks do show the integral solution to the div E equation (an inverse square integral form, basically Coulomb's law), but they don't normally present the curl equations in such a fashion and they really should. I only recently ( a couple years ago), recognized the integral solution to the curl equation, (the Biot-Savart form), upon an extensive review of the E&M subject. One other important concept that is often overlooked in the E&M textbooks is the magnetic surface currents. Griffiths book presents them reasonably well, but older textbooks often overlooked them entirely. (e.g. textbooks which emphasized the magnetic pole method.)

 

[greswd]

In general, I think they have overlooked the Biot-Savart integral solution to the curl equation in the textbooks. The more advanced textbooks do show the integral solution to the div E equation (an inverse square integral form, basically Coulomb's law), but they don't normally present the curl equations in such a fashion and they really should. I only recently ( a couple years ago), recognized the integral solution to the curl equation, (the Biot-Savart form), upon an extensive review of the E&M subject. One other important concept that is often overlooked in the E&M textbooks is the magnetic surface currents. Griffiths book presents them reasonably well, but older textbooks often overlooked them entirely. (e.g. textbooks which emphasized the magnetic pole method.)

I believe the equation I presented is not related to Coulomb's law.

Are you saying that you have not encountered such a formula or something similar in the literature?

 

[Charles Link]

Yes. In fact, I studied E&M very extensively as a college student (1975-1980), where I got A's in two upper level undergraduate courses and also took two graduate courses in the subject, using the book by J.D. Jackson. It wasn't until around 2010 that I noticed the Biot-Savart integral is,in general, an solution to B for any curl B equation. I was in particular, quite puzzled by the magnetostatic pole method and the equation B=H+4*pi*M (c.g.s. units) and was successful at showing/proving it actually follows as a result of magnetic surface currents and Biot-Savart. It has been difficult to find physics people to read my write-up on the subject. Many physics Ph.D.'s are of the opinion that the subject was already complete 50-75 years ago, even though most of them have very limited expertise in the subject. I can give you a "link" to my write-up. https://www.overleaf.com/read/kdhnbkpypxfk It uses Maxwell's equations in differential form, but otherwise should be readable for someone with a good integral calculus background. I used c.g.s. units, but the equations can be readily transposed to M.K.S. I welcome your feedback if you're interested in reading it. An E&M physics professor from U of Illinois Urbana has read through the integral calculations and has concurred they are correct. He found the paper of much interest, but otherwise, it so far has received limited readership.

 

[Charles Link]

I believe the equation I presented is not related to Coulomb's law.

Are you saying that you have not encountered such a formula or something similar in the literature?

In the div E Maxwell differential equation, they do present the integral solution (of a Coulomb's law form) in many E&M textbooks. They do not normally do this for the curl B or curl E equation, even though I think they would do well to present it this way. (Incidentally, also not presented in the textbooks is an obstacle that is encountered with the H integral solution for the div H solution. Starting with B=H+4*pi*M, and take divergence of both sides, div H=-4*pi*div M Now -div M=magnetic charge density, so that integral solution for H (analogous to an electrostatic E-field) is in the Coulomb's law form for magnetic charges. This H solution turns out to be incomplete, because this time, the solution for H missed the H contribution from currents in conductors. That part, it turns out, is picked up by the homogeneous solution, div H=0 which must be included to have a complete answer for H. This generally is also not found in the E&M textbooks.) Now, for some feedback on your observation to use a Biot-Savart type formula in solving for E for Maxwell's/Faraday curl E=-dB/dt equation. (M.K.S. units) I do think it is a very keen observation on your part, especially if you are only at the undergraduate level=you are off to a very good start at getting a good handle on the subject.

 

[greswd]

Now, for some feedback on your observation to use a Biot-Savart type formula in solving for E for Maxwell's/Faraday curl E=-dB/dt equation. (M.K.S. units) I do think it is a very keen observation on your part, especially if you are only at the undergraduate level=you are off to a very good start at getting a good handle on the subject.

Thanks. I wrote that equation because I wanted to find out about whether we can derive the electric field function from a changing magnetic field.

Ok, I suppose the answer to my question is 'yes' then.

 

[Charles Link]

Yes, the E field can be obtained from the Biot-Savart type equation for a changing magnetic field (curl E=-dB/dt is an inhomogeneous differential equation). In a system in which static electric charges are also present, you will still need to add a solution to the homogeneous equation, a solution of E for curl E=0 to pick up the homogeneous solution for the part of the E-field that comes from static electric charges in order to have the complete and correct expression for the E-field. (This homogeneous solution is in fact the Coulomb's law expression for the static electric charges.)

 

[Charles Link]

Thanks. I wrote that equation because I wanted to find out about whether we can derive the electric field function from a changing magnetic field.

Ok, I suppose the answer to my question is 'yes' then.

Please see my reply to this, posted as reply #13. Also please read reply #10 if you haven't already.

 

[Charles Link]

Please see my reply #10 and also my reply #13. A couple additional comments-Even in computing the the electric field E from electrical charges using the Coulomb's law type integral solution for the div E equation, the solution for E is not complete if there are any changing magnetic fields. The Faraday E needs to be included and that enters in as the solution of the homogeneous equation div E=0, which is precisely the Biot-Savart type solution for E that you presented in your initial post at the top.

 

[jtbell]

Ampere's Law can be derived from the Biot-Savart Law.

Faraday's Law is similar to Ampere's Law.

Is there a "Biot-Savart equivalent" of Faraday's Law?

How about this approach?

Start with the volume-integral version of the Biot-Savart law for a current density $\vec J$: $$\vec B = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \int {\frac {\vec J \times \vec r^\prime}{|\vec r^\prime|^2} dV}$$ Recall that we can write the complete Ampere-Maxwell law using Maxwell's "displacement current density" $\vec J_d$: $$\vec \nabla \times \vec B = \mu_0 \vec J + \mu_0 \epsilon_0 \frac {\partial \vec E}{\partial t} = \mu_0 (\vec J + \vec J_d)$$ where $$\vec J_d = \epsilon_0 \frac {\partial \vec E}{\partial t}$$ This suggests that we can get a "complete" version of the Biot-Savart law by replacing $\vec J$ with $\vec J + \vec J_d$.

Now, what you want is an "electric Biot-Savart law" corresponding to Faraday's law. If magnetic charge existed, Faraday's law would have a "magnetic current" $\vec J_m$ on the right-hand side, along with the $\frac {\partial \vec B}{\partial t}$ term which would correspond to a "magnetic displacement current" $\vec J_{md}$ analogous to the displacement current mentioned above. The corresponding "electric Biot-Savart law" would then look something like $$\vec E = K \int {\frac {(\vec J_m + \vec J_{md}) \times \vec r^\prime}{|\vec r^\prime|^2} dV}$$ Of course, magnetic charge doesn't exist, so $\vec J_m = 0$, leaving only $\vec J_{md}$. I leave it to you to fill in the details and figure out the appropriate constant(s).

 

[greswd]

@ jtbell is it the same as the one I first posted? Seems to be the case.

I would like to know if there is anything in the literature on an electric Biot-Savart law.

 

[greswd]

Please see my reply to this, posted as reply #13. Also please read reply #10 if you haven't already.

ok, but I'm sorry, I can't find any reference to a "Faraday" Biot-Savart law in your write up.

 

[Charles Link]

ok, but I'm sorry, I can't find any reference to a "Faraday" Biot-Savart law in your write up.

In my write-up, I mentioned the Biot-Savart (in integral form) as a solution to the curl B differential equation. Your observation of using the Biot-Savart form to solve the curl E Faraday equation, is quite good and quite useful. However, to make any changes, even minor ones, in the way things are written up in textbooks is likely to take quite an effort. Perhaps the best recognition for an item such as this is in discussions on websites such as the Physicsforums. I have found, even with my write-up that you looked through, it is a difficult process to get a journal to publish something, and unless you are looking for university funding (such as a university professor), there normally is no monetary return from a journal publication. I welcome yours and any other feedback on this, but I think this is an accurate assessment.

 

[greswd]

How about this approach?

Start with the volume-integral version of the Biot-Savart law for a current density $\vec J$: $$\vec B = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \int {\frac {\vec J \times \vec r^\prime}{|\vec r^\prime|^2} dV}$$ Recall that we can write the complete Ampere-Maxwell law using Maxwell's "displacement current density" $\vec J_d$: $$\vec \nabla \times \vec B = \mu_0 \vec J + \mu_0 \epsilon_0 \frac {\partial \vec E}{\partial t} = \mu_0 (\vec J + \vec J_d)$$ where $$\vec J_d = \epsilon_0 \frac {\partial \vec E}{\partial t}$$ This suggests that we can get a "complete" version of the Biot-Savart law by replacing $\vec J$ with $\vec J + \vec J_d$.

Now, what you want is an "electric Biot-Savart law" corresponding to Faraday's law. If magnetic charge existed, Faraday's law would have a "magnetic current" $\vec J_m$ on the right-hand side, along with the $\frac {\partial \vec B}{\partial t}$ term which would correspond to a "magnetic displacement current" $\vec J_{md}$ analogous to the displacement current mentioned above. The corresponding "electric Biot-Savart law" would then look something like $$\vec E = K \int {\frac {(\vec J_m + \vec J_{md}) \times \vec r^\prime}{|\vec r^\prime|^2} dV}$$ Of course, magnetic charge doesn't exist, so $\vec J_m = 0$, leaving only $\vec J_{md}$. I leave it to you to fill in the details and figure out the appropriate constant(s).

quoted to create an alert

 

[greswd]

Your observation of using the Biot-Savart form to solve the curl E Faraday equation, is quite good and quite useful...Perhaps the best recognition for an item such as this is in discussions on websites such as the Physicsforums.

thank you. I'm not thinking of recognition yet. I was just wondering if there is anything in the literature about such a formula or something similar.

 

[greswd]

I consider this thread closed.

The thread continues at https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/new-biot-savart-version-of-maxwell-faraday-equation.859131/