Calculating Force using the Maxwell Stress Tensor

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic attraction force between the hemispheres of a uniformly charged spinning spherical shell using the Maxwell Stress Tensor. The key equation provided is F = ∮_S T · da, with the second term eliminated due to steady currents. The magnetic field expressions for both inside and outside the sphere are shared, along with the confusion about tensor calculations. A suggestion is made to utilize the matrix form of the Maxwell stress tensor and to leverage symmetry to simplify integrals. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the complexity of tensor calculations and the need for a systematic approach to solve the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement


Calculate the force of magnetic attraction between the northern and southern hemispheres of a uniformly charged spinning spherical shell, with radius R, angular velocity ω, and surface charge density σ. Use the Maxwell Stress Tensor

Homework Equations


F=\oint \limits_S \! \vec{T} \cdot da - \epsilon_0 \mu_0 \frac {d}{dt} \int \limits_V S d \tau
Because we're dealing with steady currents, the second term goes to zero.

I know that with a sphere, we have
da=r^2 sin \theta d \theta d \phi

I also know that
B= \begin{array}{11} \frac {2 \mu_0 \sigma R \omega}{3}\hat{z} & inside \\ \frac {2 \mu_0 m}{3 r^3}(2 cos \theta \hat{r} - sin \theta \hat{\theta}) & outside \end{array}
where
m=\frac{4}{3} \pi \sigma \omega R^4

The Attempt at a Solution


I think I find Tzz since Txz and Tyz would be 0 because Bx and By are zero?

I'm honestly very confused by tensors in general, I have a pretty good idea about what they do and how they work, but I don't really know how to work them myself. Please point me in the right direction, I'm very lost as to what to do and I don't want to seem like I'm being lazy but I've broken my head all day trying to figure out what to do. The solutions manual doesn't give me an answer that makes me feel like I understand what's going on, and I can't really find anywhere that breaks it down enough for me to get that aha moment where I get it.

Thank you very much for all help :)
 
Last edited:
Hi. The most useful formula i know for the Maxwell stress tensor is (in Gaussian units) the matrix form:
T = (1/4π)[EE + BB – ½I(E2+B2)],
Where I is the identity matrix and , for example:
EE = (Exi +Eyy +Ezk )2
= (Ex)2ii + (Ey)2jj + (Ez)2kk + ExEy(ij + ji) + ExEz(ik + ki) + EyEz(jk + kj)
Now in your case you have r = R and the symmetry will make almost all integrals vanish at the end so once you've converted all unit vectors in terms of i, j and k watch for integrals with terms cosφ or sinφ from 0 to 2π because you can discard them right away.
This type of calculation is typically tedious but straightforward: symmetry indeed cancels some terms but better going through the whole machinery once in a lifetime...
 
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