Current carrying wire and induced electric field within the wire

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of the induced electric field within a long, straight current-carrying wire with an increasing current. The consensus is that the induced electric field inside the wire is zero at all points, as the magnetic field lines are circular and do not penetrate the cross-section of the wire. The calculations involving the magnetic field and flux confirm that the net magnetic flux through any cross-sectional area of the wire is zero, leading to the conclusion that the induced electric field is also zero. The correct answer to the homework problem is option (a) zero at all points inside the wire.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic theory, specifically Faraday's Law of Induction
  • Familiarity with the concepts of magnetic fields and current density
  • Knowledge of line integrals in vector calculus
  • Basic principles of electric and magnetic flux
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Faraday's Law of Induction in detail
  • Learn about the relationship between current density and induced electric fields
  • Explore the concept of magnetic flux and its implications in electromagnetic theory
  • Investigate the behavior of electric fields in various geometries, including solenoids and straight wires
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Students of electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone preparing for exams in electrical engineering or physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetic fields and induction.

thepatient
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So I just had an exam and I'm so unsure about this problem. It seems that I got it right, but I could be completely wrong. XD

Homework Statement



A long, straight current-carrying wire carries an increasing current I that is uniformly distributed over the cross-section of the wire (the current density j is uniform). The magnitude of the induced electric field inside the wire is (r is the distance to the center of the wire):
a) zero at all points inside wire
b) proportional to r
c) proportional to r^2
d) proportional to 1/r
e) proportional to 1/r^2

Homework Equations


closed-line integral ∫B*dl = µ0 *I (enclosed)
j = I/A
closed line integral ∫E*dl = -d/dt (magnetic flux)
magnetic flux = ∫B*dA

The Attempt at a Solution



So basically I thought, since there is a current changing in time, there is a magnetic field being induced. This magnetic field, since it is proportional to the current, also changes in time, so it creates an electric field. So I began with:

∫B*dl = µ0 *I (enclosed)
The line integral was a distance r from the center where r is less than the radius of the exterior of the wire.

The I enclosed wasn't the entire I, but the ratio between the enclosed current and net current.

j = I(enclosed) /A = I(enclosed)/pir^2

I(net)/piR^2 = I(enclosed)/pir^2
r^2/R^2 * I(net) = I(enclosed)

Then substituting back into the line integral:
∫B*dl = µ0 *r^2/R^2 *I(net)
B*2pir = µ0 *r^2/R^2 *I(net)
B =1/2pi * ( µ0 *r/R^2 *I(net))

Then calculated magnetic flux:
∫B*dA =
And here is where it gets kind of fuzzy. XD I think I might have assumed that the flux was in the area of pir^2 within the wire and the B field going in the same direction as the wire. But I think the B field is actually circling that area of pir^2, so I think I made a mistake there. :\

I ended up with magnitude of E = rµ0* I/(4piR^2) and chose B. Was I completely wrong? XD
 
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Firstly, you're in Freund's 4B and he's omitting the question. The first question I'll ask do you know where the B field lines are? Before you start doing any equations you have to know where the field lines will be.
If you use the equation for a magnetic field from a point charge (and apply it a lot), you can figure out that the B field should look like concentric circles with the center of the wire, and at the center it is going to have a magnitude of 0. Now if you take a surface which is a circle that is a cross section of the wire, you can figure out that the flux through this surface is going to be 0 because the field lines are going to be on the same plane as the surface (i.e. angle = pi/2 => B.dA=0). This tells you that there is no induced E field parallel to the current. Now you can take this surface and rotate it and show that net flux will be 0. So, the answer that is most likely to be correct is zero at all points (and he graded mine and said it was right).
 
Ahh that's hilarious. I never would have thought I would find someone in my class here. XD nice to know.

I got the problem confused with a solenoid for some reason while doing this. XD everything seemed to make sense until I got home. I looked at the problem again and noticed that this wasn't a solenoid but a straight current carrying wire. That changes the magnetic field to a circulating field clockwise. I was just hoping that because there is a flux within a window of Length l times dr, then maybe there was a line integral of E*dl, but then at home i noticed at all points cos(theta) =90 so E*dl=0, also you mentioned that net magnetic flux =0.

I asked anyway, since sometimes I would think I'm completely wrong, but I'm right, or vice-versa. Thanks for the input. :]
 

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