Electromagnetic field acting on a conducting infinite plate

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on analyzing an electromagnetic field acting on a perfectly conducting infinite plate at z=0, with specific electric and magnetic field components provided. The main challenge lies in reconciling the results from Maxwell's equations, particularly regarding the surface charge density and surface current density at the plate. While applying Maxwell's first equation indicates zero charge density, the fourth equation suggests a non-zero current density, leading to confusion about the expected behavior at the boundary. The participants highlight that a changing magnetic field can exist without a corresponding electric field at a point, emphasizing the importance of boundary conditions for perfect conductors. Ultimately, understanding these relationships is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
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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