Angular momentum of the EM field of rotating sphere

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The angular momentum of the electromagnetic field for a rotating sphere is expressed as $$\vec{L_{em}} = \int \vec{l_{em}} d^3r$$, with specific considerations for regions where r < R and r > R. The solution combines both cases into a single expression: $$\vec{L_{em}} = \int \vec{l_{em}}_{(rR)} \, d^3r$$. The integration should be performed over the entire field without the need to split the integral for the r < R case, as the calculation encompasses all space.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic field theory
  • Familiarity with angular momentum concepts in physics
  • Knowledge of integral calculus in three dimensions
  • Basic principles of rotating systems in classical mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of angular momentum in electromagnetic fields
  • Explore the mathematical techniques for integrating over spherical coordinates
  • Investigate the implications of electromagnetic field momentum in rotating systems
  • Learn about the conservation laws related to angular momentum in physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of electromagnetism, and researchers focusing on angular momentum in electromagnetic fields will benefit from this discussion.

Shinobii
Messages
33
Reaction score
0
The angular momentum of the electromagnetic field is defined as,

$$
\vec{L_{em}} = \int \vec{l_{em}} d^3r.
$$

To solve this for a rotating sphere I must consider the cases where r < R and r > R.

When I did this problem I thought that there would be two solutions, one for both cases; however, it turns out that there is one solution,

$$
\vec{L_{em}} = \int \vec{l_{em}}_{(r<R)} \, d^3r + \int \vec{l_{em}}_{(r>R)} \, d^3r.
$$

Can anyone tell me why that is? Conceptually I do not understand what is going here.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Also for the integration, would I integrate the r < R case from \int_0^R = \int_0^r + \int_r^R and the case of r > R, \int_R^{\infty}?

Or would I simply just integrate \int_0^R for both cases, without splitting the integral.
 
Last edited:
I suppose when calculating the field angular momentum, we do not need to split the r < R integral \int_0^R. I also understand now that we are integrating over all space or over the entire field.
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K