Determine the direction of magnetic field from Maxwell eqs?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the direction of the magnetic field induced by a current-carrying wire using Maxwell's Equations, specifically the curl of the magnetic field and the Amperian loop. The relevant equations are presented as $\nabla \times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\vec{J}$ and $\oint\limits_{\partial_\Sigma} \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l}=\mu_{0}\iint\limits_{\Sigma}\vec{J}\cdot d\vec{S}$. The user concludes that only the phi component of the magnetic field contributes to the path integral when using a circular Amperian loop in the rho-phi plane, despite initial hesitations regarding the orientation of the loop. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of correctly interpreting the geometry of the loop to avoid erroneous conclusions about the magnetic field's components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's Equations, particularly the curl operator.
  • Familiarity with cylindrical coordinates and vector calculus.
  • Knowledge of the right-hand grip rule for determining magnetic field direction.
  • Basic concepts of current density and its representation in physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the curl in cylindrical coordinates in detail.
  • Learn about the application of the Biot-Savart Law in calculating magnetic fields.
  • Explore the implications of different geometries on magnetic field calculations.
  • Investigate the relationship between current density and magnetic field components in various coordinate systems.
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Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in electromagnetic theory and the application of Maxwell's Equations in determining magnetic fields.

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Hi! My high school physics tells me using right hand grip rule to determine the direction of magnetic field induced by a current carrying wire, but I wonder whether I can deduce the direction merely from Maxwell's Equations?

Suppose now we have a current density in cylindrical coordinates$$\vec{J}=J_{0}\hat{z}, \hspace{1 cm} 0 \leqslant \rho \leqslant r,$$

And the two relevant Maxwell's equations are:
$$\nabla \times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\vec{J}\hspace{1 cm}[1]$$
$$\oint\limits_{\partial_\Sigma} \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l}=\mu_{0}\iint\limits_{\Sigma}\vec{J}\cdot d\vec{S} \hspace{1 cm} [2]$$
Remarks: $$\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}=0$$

From [1], I try to express the curl in cylindrical form:
$$(\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial B_{z}}{\partial \phi}-\frac{\partial B_{\phi}}{\partial z})\hat{\rho}+(\frac{\partial B_{\rho}}{\partial z}-\frac{\partial B_{z}}{\partial \rho})\hat{\phi}+\frac{1}{\rho}(\frac{\partial (\rho B_{\phi})}{\partial \rho}-\frac{\partial B_{\rho}}{\partial \phi})\hat{z}=\mu_{0}J_{0}\hat{z}$$

How can I deduce the B Field only has a phi component from the above expression?

From [2], I try to interpret in this way:
suppose I set up a circular Amperian loop on the rho-phi plane, only the phi component of B Field contributes to the path integral on the left hand side, and the right hand size is the current, so I conclude the current induces B-Field with phi component only. But I hesitate immediately, what if the loop I set is inclined? I will immediately conclude the B-Field only has the inclined component using the previous argument, but this is not true! I must think something wrong. What do you think?
 
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You have to solve the coupled differential equations for [1].
 

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