Finding Angular & Linear Momentum of EM Fields

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angular and linear momentum of electromagnetic fields generated by a point charge q positioned at a distance a from an infinite solenoid with radius R, n turns per unit length, and current I. The derived formulas are Pem=μ0qnIR2/2a for linear momentum and Lem=0 for angular momentum. The solution involves transforming integrals into cylindrical coordinates and emphasizes the importance of manual calculations over computational tools to avoid inaccuracies.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic fields and their equations
  • Familiarity with cylindrical coordinate transformations
  • Proficiency in calculus, particularly integration techniques
  • Knowledge of the properties of solenoids and point charges
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  • Study the derivation of electromagnetic field equations for point charges
  • Learn about cylindrical coordinates and their applications in physics
  • Explore advanced integration techniques and integral tables
  • Investigate the implications of angular momentum in electromagnetic systems
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, as well as educators seeking to enhance their understanding of momentum in electromagnetic fields.

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Homework Statement


A point charge q is a distance a>R from the axis of an infinite solenoid (radius R, n turns per unit length, current I). Find the linear momentum and the angular momentum in the fields. (Put q on the x axis, with the solenoid along z; treat the solenoid as a nonconductor, so you don't need to worry about induced charges on its surface.)[Answer: Pem0qnIR2/2a; Lem=0]

Homework Equations


[itex]\vec{E}[/itex]q=q/4[itex]\pi[/itex][itex]\epsilon[/itex]0(1/[itex]\vec{r}[/itex]2)=q/4[itex]\pi[/itex][itex]\epsilon[/itex]0([itex]\vec{r}[/itex]/r3)
[itex]\vec{B}[/itex]sol0nI[itex]\hat{z}[/itex]
pem0([itex]\vec{E}[/itex][itex]\times[/itex][itex]\vec{B}[/itex])
lem=r[itex]\times[/itex]pem
Pem=∫pem d[itex]\tau[/itex]
Lem=∫lem d[itex]\tau[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I kind of plugged and chugged, found r2=((x-a)2+y2+z2) and [itex]\vec{r}[/itex]=(x-a)[itex]\hat{x}[/itex]+y[itex]\hat{y}[/itex]+z[itex]\hat{z}[/itex]
Plugged in for that as well. However, I eventually got to the integrations in for the Pem and realized I don't know what my limits of integration are for the volume.
I know the z is from -∞ to ∞, but I have no clue for x and y. Here is what my final line looks like so far (with me already integrating over z):
Pem=[itex]\frac{-2\mu_{0}\epsilon_{0}qnI}{4\pi\epsilon_{0}}[/itex]∫[itex]\frac{(x-a)\hat{y}}{((x-a)^{2}+y^{2}}[/itex] dydx

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
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I figured it out. I'm too lazy to type out the solution, and since I know this could potentially help someone in the future searching for it, I'll give you the basic steps:
1. Change the integral I had in the last line to cylindrical coordinates.
[From here it's just tricky calculus]
2. Do the phi integral first and break it up into two parts
3. Here's where it gets tricky. You need to define two new variables, say A and B, where A=s^2+a^2, B=-2as.
4. Do the integrals. DO NOT do them with a calculator or other computation engine. It WILL give you wrong answer. Use an integral table or do them by hand (good luck).
5. Finding Lem is trivial from this point on, you find lem, then do the integral. Repeat steps 1-4 with the integral you get from Lem.
 

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