Electromagnetic field acting on a conducting infinite plate

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on analyzing an electromagnetic field acting on a perfectly conducting infinite plate, specifically in the region where \(0 \leq z \leq a\). The electric field \(E_x\) and magnetic fields \(B_z\) and \(B_y\) are defined with specific sinusoidal components. The key conclusion is that while Maxwell's equations indicate a non-zero current density \(\mathbf{J}\) at \(z=0\), the electric field \(\mathbf{E}\) remains zero, leading to a surface charge density \(\rho=0\). This paradox highlights the necessity of understanding boundary conditions for electromagnetic fields at the surface of conductors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations, specifically their implications for electric and magnetic fields.
  • Familiarity with boundary conditions for electromagnetic fields at the surface of conductors.
  • Knowledge of sinusoidal wave functions and their physical interpretations in electromagnetism.
  • Ability to analyze vector calculus operations such as divergence and curl.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the boundary conditions for electric and magnetic fields at the surface of perfect conductors.
  • Learn about the implications of changing magnetic fields on induced electric fields, specifically through Faraday's law.
  • Explore the mathematical derivation and physical significance of the curl of electric and magnetic fields in electromagnetic theory.
  • Investigate the behavior of electromagnetic fields in different geometries, such as infinite plates versus finite conductors.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those specializing in electromagnetism, electrical engineers, and researchers working on electromagnetic field theory and applications involving conductors.

papercace
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Homework Statement


Consider an electromagnetic field in an empty space in the region ##0 \leq z \leq a## with the following non-zero components:
$$E_x = -B_0\frac{\omega a}{\pi}\sin\left(\frac{\pi z}{a}\right)\sin\left( ky-\omega t\right)\\
B_z = B_0\frac{ka}{\pi}\sin\left(\frac{\pi z}{a}\right)\sin\left( ky-\omega t\right)\\
B_y= B_0\cos\left(\frac{\pi z}{a}\right)\cos\left( ky-\omega t\right)
$$
Determine the condition for which this field satisfies Maxwell's equations. Assume that the fields are zero for z<0 and that there is a perfectly conducting plate in the z=0 plane and determine the surface charge density and surface current density on the plate.

Homework Equations


Maxwell's equations:
$$I. \quad \nabla \cdot \mathbf{E}=\frac{\rho}{\epsilon_0}\\
II. \quad \nabla \cdot \mathbf{B}=0\\
III. \quad \nabla \times \mathbf{E}=-\frac{\partial\mathbf{B}}{\partial t}\\
IV. \quad \nabla \times \mathbf{B}=\mu_0 \mathbf{J}+\mu_0\epsilon_0\frac{\partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t}
$$

The Attempt at a Solution


It's the second part I have problems with. If you use MI (Maxwell I) you get ##\mathbf{E}=0 \Rightarrow \rho=0##. That's all fine and dandy, but if you use MIV you get
$$\nabla \times \mathbf{B}=\mu_0 \mathbf{J} = \left(\frac{k^2a}{\pi}+\frac{\pi}{a}\right)B_0\cos(ky-\omega t) \hat{\mathbf x}\\
\left(\frac{\partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t}=0 \quad \text{at} \quad z=0\right).$$
So we've got a current density but no charge density and no electric field at ##z=0## even though I think there should be some, especially since we have a changing B-field which should induce an E-field. Something is obviously wrong with my thought process.
 
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For the first part of the problem, did you find that there must exist a nonzero current density ##\mathbf{J}(y, z, t)## for the region ##z>0##?

papercace said:
It's the second part I have problems with. If you use MI (Maxwell I) you get ##\mathbf{E}=0 \Rightarrow \rho=0##. That's all fine and dandy, but if you use MIV you get
$$\nabla \times \mathbf{B}=\mu_0 \mathbf{J} = \left(\frac{k^2a}{\pi}+\frac{\pi}{a}\right)B_0\cos(ky-\omega t) \hat{\mathbf x}
$$
Shouldn't the right side of the equation contain ##\sin(\frac{\pi z}{a})## which would go to zero for ##z = 0##?

So we've got a current density but no charge density and no electric field at ##z=0## even though I think there should be some, especially since we have a changing B-field which should induce an E-field. Something is obviously wrong with my thought process.
Maxwell's equation MIII says that at a point where B is changing with time, the curl of E must be nonzero at that point. But, E itself does not have to be nonzero at that point. Consider the example of a uniform magnetic field in a circular region that is changing with time. At the center of the region the E field remains zero even though there is a changing magnetic field at the center.
See http://sdsu-physics.org/physics180/physics196/images_196/31_Electricfield1.jpg and note that E = 0 at r = 0.

To answer the second part of the problem, you will need to know the boundary conditions on E and B at the surface of a perfect conductor. See equations (1300) to (1303) here
https://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/jk1/lectures/node112.html
 

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