# (Electric) Scalar and vector potential

1. Aug 24, 2012

### lailola

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

In the problem, the electric scalar and vector potentials are,
$\phi=0, \vec{A}=A_0 e^{i(k_1 x-2k_2y-wt)}\vec{u_y}$

I have to find E, B and S.

Then, I have to calculate $\phi '$ that satisfies $div\vec{A}+\frac{\partial \phi '}{\partial t}=0$ Then calculate E and B.

Is it possible to find $\vec{A}'$ and $\phi'$ that satisfy the previous equation and produce the same E and B as $\vec{A}$ and $\phi$?

2. Relevant equations
$\vec{E}=-grad\phi-\frac{\partial \vec{A}}{c\partial t}=0$
$\vec{B}=rot(\vec{A})$

3. The attempt at a solution

Using the equations I find:

$\vec{E}=A_0wi/c e^{i(k_1x-2k_2y-wt)}\vec{u_y}$

$\vec{B}=A_0ik_1 e^{i(k_1x-2k_2y-wt)}\vec{u_k}$

$\vec{S}=\frac{c}{4\pi} \vec{E}x\vec{B}=1/(4\pi) A_0^2wk_1sin^2(k_1x-2k_2y-wt)\vec{u_x}$

For the next part I find,

$\phi ' = - 2K_2 c A_0/(w) e^{i(k_1x-2k_2y-wt)}+ constant(x,y)$

Then, I calculate E and B as before.

I don't know how to answer the last part. Any idea?

Thank you.

Last edited: Aug 25, 2012
2. Aug 24, 2012

### vela

Staff Emeritus
Your expression for the vector potential isn't a vector.

3. Aug 24, 2012

### Chopin

Presumably $A_0$ is itself a vector, which makes that definition perfectly valid.

Imagine taking your current definitions for $A$ and $\phi$ (I'm renaming your $\phi'$ to $\phi$ for simplicity, and so that I can reuse the symbol $\phi'$ below), and adding new quantities to them. So something like:
$$A \rightarrow A + A'\\ \phi \rightarrow \phi + \phi'$$

Now plug those definitions into your previous equations, and see if you can use them to come up with some constraints on the forms that $A'$ and $\phi'$ would have to take, in order to cause $E$ and $B$ to still come out the same.

Last edited: Aug 24, 2012
4. Aug 24, 2012

### vela

Staff Emeritus
I don't think so. A0 appears in the expressions for the electric and magnetic fields along with unit vectors. It's pretty clear that the OP meant for A0 to denote a scalar.

Last edited: Aug 24, 2012
5. Aug 24, 2012

### Chopin

Hmm, you're right. Guess I didn't look close enough at those E/B solutions.

lailola, can you clarify what the original problem is, and how you came up with your definitions for E and B?

6. Aug 25, 2012

### lailola

I forgot to write the vector in the expression of the vector potential. I've written it.

7. Aug 25, 2012

### lailola

Ok, thank you!