[electrodynamics] rotating hollow sphere

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic field at the north pole of a rotating hollow sphere that is uniformly charged. The sphere has a radius R and a total charge Q, and it rotates with a constant angular velocity omega.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the implications of the sphere's rotation on the magnetic field and seeks clarification on the setup and relevant formulas. Participants discuss how to break down the sphere into segments to calculate the current and magnetic field contributions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing hints and clarifications regarding the formulas involved and the significance of the sphere's rotation. There is an acknowledgment of the need to derive the magnetic field using the Biot-Savart law, and the original poster expresses intent to calculate the solution based on the guidance received.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of using different unit systems (SI vs. cgs) which may affect the constants in the formulas discussed. The original poster is also encouraged to explore the relationship between charge distribution and current in the context of the rotating sphere.

Herbststurm
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Hi,

a homogeneous charged hollow sphere with the radius R and the complete charge Q is rotating with constant angular velocity omega around a fixed axle.

How to calculate the magnetic field at the north pole?

I have this hints:

The ring current I with the radius small r excites on the ring axle with the distance s from the center a magnetic field of

B = 2 \pi I \frac{r^{2}}{\sqrt{(r^{2}+s^{2})^{3}}}

okay, now I have some questions about that:

1.) "ring axle with the distance s from the center" I can't imagine this. Could you give me some hints how to draw a sketch please?

2.) How to calculate this magnetic field at the north pole? Please only hints. I will do it on myself.

3.) Is it important that the sprehe is rotating? I guess it could be just wrote to confuse people because nobody asked here about gyromagnetic relation.

thanks

greetings
 
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Yes it is important that the sphere is rotating, otherwise there wouldn't be any magnetic field, since the whole configuration would be stationary, with no charges moving. But since it is rotating the charges are moving (in our frame), hence they represent a current. So you have to see how much current does a very little segment of the sphere represents. That is you have to break up the sphere into "stripes" and calculate the charge of one stripe. Now you know that this dQ charge goes once in every period. Hence the current:

dI=\frac{dQ}{T}=\frac{\omega}{2\pi}dQ

Draw a circle of radius r. Now draw a line perpendicular to the plane of the circle, through its center. The distance s is measured on this line. So that s=0 means the center of the circle itself.

So after you have calculated the dQ charge on one "stripe" of the sphere you have the current.

Now plug this into get the amount this stripe contributes to the magnetic field at the north pole (the formula you gave is not fully correct):

dB=\frac{\mu_0}{2}\frac{r^2 dI}{(r^2+s^2)^{3/2}}

s and r and dQ can be expressed with the Radius R and the polar angle.

Now integrate this and you are done :D
 
Hello,

thanks for your help. I have two questions about that:

1.) Where does this formula of the magnetic field come from?

2.) Why is the given formula wrong and your formula is correct? What is the reason that the given formula should be wrong?

Thanks

Greetings
 
Last edited:
This formula can be derived from the Biot-Savart law.

Ok, the formula you gave, has the correct functional relationship, so basically its ok, just if we are working in SI, then the constant factor, should be what I wrote..
 
Now it is clear. I forgot Biot-Savarts law but we discussed it in lecture.

We are using the cgs system from Gauß.

I will calculate it and post my solution.

thanks and greetings :)
 

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