Electrical energy stored in solenoid

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the energy dynamics in a solenoid with a linearly increasing current. It is established that the energy stored in the magnetic field matches the energy input, leading to the conclusion that the energy in the electric field is zero. This conclusion is supported by Poynting's theorem, which relates energy changes in electromagnetic systems to the energy input and output. The conversation explores the relationship between electric and magnetic fields, emphasizing their interconnectedness and the inadequacy of traditional models. Ultimately, the discussion suggests a shift towards using vector and scalar potentials for a more satisfactory understanding of electromagnetic interactions.
PhysForumID
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I have a solenoid which has a current passing through it which increases linearly with time. I have proved that the energy stored in the magnetic field is equal to the energy being pumped in according to the surface integral of the poynting vector. This implies the energy stored in the electric field is zero (according to poynting's theorem which states the energy change for an EM system is the energy pumped into the E and B fields minus the energy flowing out of the surface in the poynting vector).
Why is the energy stored in the electric field zero? My attempt was that in a static situation (constant current I), the energy is entirely in the magnetic field since there is no electric field, so if we take this linear increase in a quasi-static manner, then the energy stored in each quasi-static situation should be equivalent to the same static situation, so it wouldn't make sense if energy was stored in the E-field in one situation but not in the other.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Although there is no magnetic field in the final state, there is a nonzero induce magnetic field when you increase the electric field from zero to the desired value. I guess if you take into account this fact you will get a reasonable answer.
 
In a solenoid there is always a magnetic field in the core. As you increase current, the magnetic field increases causing a changing electric field in the core too. Why is there no energy stored in this created electric field?
 
Electric and magnetic fields are not separate things. They are just math. models to help us describe the interaction between charges, moving (B field) and stationary (E field).

Remember from relativity that the concepts stationary and moving have no meaning.
One observer's B field is another observer's E field.

In fact, these ideas of B and E hark back to the concept of the aether and are are so unsatisfactory now that they are being slowly replaced by a better model (The vector and scalar potentials)
 
Back
Top