Field of long cylindrical shell conductor

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic field of a long cylindrical shell conductor with given parameters. The user initially misapplied the equations for magnetic field calculations, leading to incorrect results for the magnetic field at specified distances. After several attempts and clarifications, it was determined that the user had been using an incorrect value for the current density J in their calculations. The correct approach involves using the relationship between magnetic field and current density, ultimately leading to the resolution of the problem. The user successfully identified their error and arrived at the correct answer.
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[SOLVED] Field of long cylindrical shell conductor

Homework Statement


Shown above is the cross-section of a long cylindrical shell conductor of inner radius a=4.00 cm and outer radius b=7.00 cm which carries a current into the page.
The current density J (current/area) is uniform across the shell from r=a to r=b and has the magnitude J=3.6E3 A/m2 where r is the distance from the axis of the shell. (The magnitude of the total current carried by the conductor is thus given by I=J*π*(b2-a2)=37.3 A.)

(a) Find the magnitude of the magnetic field at r=2b=14 cm.

(b) Find the magnitude of the magnetic field at r=(a+b)/2=5.5 cm (halfway between the two shells).

(Hint: how much current is enclosed by the Amperian loop in each case?)


Homework Equations



B = (uIr)/(2pi*R^2) (inside conductor, r<R)
B = (uI)/2pi*r (outside conductor r>R)

where u = 4*pi*10^-7

The Attempt at a Solution



I already solved for part a, getting 5.33E-5 T using the second relevant equation.

But when I used the first relevant equation for part 1, I got 8.4 E-5 which I found out isn't correct. Here's how I did it:

(u*.055*37.3)/(2*pi*(.07^2)) = 8.4E-5 T.

What am I doing wrong?
 

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So I don't have a clue what you are plugging in. Most of the people here will be able to follow algebra much easier than seemingly random numbers, just for a future pointer. Anyway, how would you rewrite that first equation in terms of the current density, which is given to you?
 
Thanks for your help.

Here's what I got:

Since

J=\frac{I}{\pi*R^{2}}

Then
B=\frac{\mu_{0}Ir}{2\pi*R^{2}}

becomes

B=J*\frac{\mu_{0}*r}{2}

and so

J=\frac{2B}{\mu_0*r}
 
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Sorry for the bump. I still haven't figured out the problem. Is there anyone else that could help?
 
Sorry about leaving you hanging, didn't realize you responded. That should be right.

Inside:
\mathbf{B}(r) = \frac{\mu_0 J r}{2} \hat{r}

Did you get your units right?
 
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Hm, I'm still not getting the right answer. Just to let you know, the answer I should be getting is 5.86E-5 T.

Using the formula you gave me, I did as followed:

1) For r I used 5.5 cm = .055 m

2) and then I plugged in 3.6E3 for J (since it was given in the problem).

3)\mu_{0}=4\pi*10^{-7}

\frac{\mu_{0}*3.6*10^{3}*.055}{2}=1.244*10^{-4} T

Am I using the wrong numbers?
 
I figured it out. I had been using the incorrect value for J.
 
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