Electric and magnetic field between concentric, conducting cylinders

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the velocity of an electron traveling between two long, concentric, conducting cylinders carrying currents in opposite directions. The relevant equations include the force equation F=q(E+u^B) and the magnetic field derived from Ampere's law, B=μI/2πr. The electric field E is determined using Faraday's law and the relationship between voltage and electric field. The analysis confirms that the equations for stationary fields apply under non-relativistic conditions, making this approach valid for typical household currents.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic theory, specifically Ampere's law and Faraday's law.
  • Familiarity with the concepts of electric and magnetic fields in conducting materials.
  • Knowledge of boundary conditions for electromagnetic fields at conductor surfaces.
  • Basic proficiency in vector calculus as applied to electromagnetism.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of electric fields from potential differences in cylindrical geometries.
  • Learn about the application of boundary conditions in electrodynamics from Jackson's "Classical Electrodynamics."
  • Explore the implications of stationary fields in non-relativistic electron motion.
  • Investigate the relationship between current density and electric fields in conductive materials.
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Students and professionals in physics, electrical engineering, and anyone involved in the study of electromagnetic fields and their applications in conducting materials.

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Homework Statement

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Two long, concentric, conducting cylinders of radii and b (a<b) each carry a current I in opposite directions and maintain a potential difference V.
An electron with velocity u (parallel to the cylinders) travels undeviated through the space between the two cylinders.
Find an expression for |u|

Homework Equations



F=q(E+u^B)


The Attempt at a Solution



All I've managed is to say that there must be no net force, so
E=-u^B
E=-|u||B|sinθ
I'm not sure how to work out the electric of magnetic field.
 
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Use Faraday's law to find the electric field and the relation between voltage and electric field to find the electric field.

EDIT: Sorry, I meant to say use Ampere's law to find the magnetic field
 
Last edited:
OK so using amperes law I get
B=μI/2πr
Is this right?
And what's the relationship between electric field and potential difference?
 
Your magnetic field is right for the gap between the inner and outer cylinder (coax cable).

To answer your other question, you should think a bit. The equations are those for stationary fields, i.e., (in SI units)
\vec{\nabla} \times \vec{E}=0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{E}=\rho, \quad \vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{B}=0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \times \vec{B}=\mu \vec{j}, \quad \vec{j}=\sigma \vec{E}.
This holds in non-relativistic approximations for the movement of the electrons in the, and this is a damn good approximations for all household currents :-)).

In addition you need appropriate boundary conditions for the fields at the surfaces of the conductors. These you should find in any textbook of electrodynamics, e.g., Jackson, Classical electrodynamics.
 

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