Find expression for electric field from magnetic field

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining an expression for the electric field in a region where the magnetic field varies with the coordinate z, specifically given by a cosine function. The electric field is expressed in Cartesian coordinates, with specific conditions on its components at a certain time.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the electric and magnetic fields, referencing Maxwell's equations. There is an exploration of the implications of setting certain components of the electric field to zero while also providing a non-zero value for one of those components. Some participants question the consistency of the original poster's assumptions regarding the electric field components.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing different perspectives on the original poster's approach. Some guidance has been offered regarding the application of Maxwell's equations, particularly in the absence of currents. However, there is still confusion regarding the initial conditions set by the original poster.

Contextual Notes

There appears to be a typo in the original statement regarding the electric field components, which has led to confusion among participants. The problem context includes specific conditions at z = t = 0, which are critical to the discussion.

charlief
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Homework Statement


In a region of space, the magnetic field depends on the co-ordinate ##z## and is given by $$\mathbf{B} = \hat{\jmath} B_0 \cos \left(kz - \omega t \right)$$ where ##k## is the wave number, ##\omega## is the angular frequency, and ##B_0## is a constant.
The Electric Field in Cartesian coordinates is ##\mathbf{E} = \hat{\imath} E_x + \hat{\jmath} E_y + \hat{k} E_z##. Given that ##E_y = E_z = 0## and ##E_z = \omega B_0/k## at ##z = t = 0##, determine an expression for ##E_x##.

Homework Equations



##\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = -\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t}##

The Attempt at a Solution


Using the cross product rule, I changed ##\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = -\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t}## to ##-\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t} \times \nabla = \mathbf{E}##. Calculated ## -\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t} = -\hat{\jmath} B_0\omega\sin(kz - \omega t)##. Then working out the cross product I got ##\mathbf{E} = \hat{\imath} \frac{\partial}{\partial z}[-B_0\omega\sin(kz - \omega t)] = -\hat{\imath} B_0 k \omega \cos(k z - \omega t)##. So inputting ##z = t = 0## clearly gives ##B_0 \omega k## instead of ## \omega B_0 / k##.

I cannot see where in my method I have gone wrong and I am not sure this method is correct?
Thank you so much
 
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Why do you say that E_{z}=0 and then E_{z}=(\omega B_{0})/k. You can't say that the z component of electric field is zero and non zero at the same time... clear that confusion then I'll solve your problem.
 
AhmirMalik said:
Why do you say that E_{z}=0 and then E_{z}=(\omega B_{0})/k. You can't say that the z component of electric field is zero and non zero at the same time... clear that confusion then I'll solve your problem.
Apologies it was a typo, I meant "##E_y = E_z = 0## and ##E_x = (\omega B_0)/k##"
 
Oh.. then you just have to use this;

\vec{\nabla}\times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\vec{J}+\mu_{0}\epsilon_{0}\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}

Since you don't have any currents, so first term on the right hand side is zero, so you are left with;

\vec{\nabla}\times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\epsilon_{0}\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}

which is easy to solve.
 
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AhmirMalik said:
Oh.. then you just have to use this;

\vec{\nabla}\times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\vec{J}+\mu_{0}\epsilon_{0}\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}

Since you don't have any currents, so first term on the right hand side is zero, so you are left with;

\vec{\nabla}\times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\epsilon_{0}\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}

which is easy to solve.
AhmirMalik said:
Oh.. then you just have to use this;

\vec{\nabla}\times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\vec{J}+\mu_{0}\epsilon_{0}\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}

Since you don't have any currents, so first term on the right hand side is zero, so you are left with;

\vec{\nabla}\times \vec{B}=\mu_{0}\epsilon_{0}\frac{\partial \vec{E}}{\partial t}

which is easy to solve.
Thank you very much!
 

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