Calculating Magnetic Dipole Moment of a Sphere

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic dipole moment of a uniformly charged solid sphere with radius R and total charge Q, set in motion with angular velocity ω. The correct approach involves using the charge density ρ, defined as 3Q/(4πR³), and integrating over the sphere's volume rather than using the area charge density σ. The integral must account for the volume element and the geometry of the sphere, leading to the correct formulation of the magnetic dipole moment.

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[SOLVED] Griffiths 5.58

Homework Statement


A uniformly charged solid sphere of radius R carries a total charge Q, and is set spinning with angular velocity \omega.

What is the magnetic dipole moment of the sphere.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


The magnetic dipole moment of a disk is

(1/4) r^4 \sigma \pi \omega

Why does

\int_0^{\pi} (Rd\theta) ((1/4) R^4 \sin^4 \theta \sigma \pi \omega)

with \sigma replaced by 3Q/(4 \pi R^3) not give the correct answer?
 
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I'd imagine that the sigma in the dipole moment of a disk is a charge density per area.
 
genneth said:
I'd imagine that the sigma in the dipole moment of a disk is a charge density per area.

So what is \sigma replaced with here? How do I get the moment for a solid sphere from the moment for a disk?

The analogous idea worked to get the moment of a disk from the moment of a ring which is kind of confusing!
 
Last edited:
There's nothing wrong with the idea. Here's a hint: each disc contains dz * \rho charge, where \rho is the charge per unit volume.
 
isn't dz = Rd\theta ?
 
No. Try r \sin \theta\,d\theta
 
z = R\cos \theta so dz = - R \sin \theta d\theta so the correct integral is

<br /> = - \int_0^{\pi} ( \rho R \sin \theta d\theta) ((1/4) R^4 \sin^4 \theta \pi \omega)<br />

right?
 
Last edited:

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