How can vector identity be applied to compute electric and magnetic fields?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the application of vector identities to compute electric fields from magnetic fields in electromagnetic theory. The key equation used is the vector identity \(\nabla \times (A \times B) = (B \cdot \nabla) A - (A \cdot \nabla) B + A (\nabla \cdot B) + B (\nabla \cdot A)\). The user seeks clarification on how to apply this identity in the context of calculating the electric field \(\vec{E}\) given the magnetic field \(\vec{B}\) defined by \(\vec{B}(r,t) = \frac{\mu_0 \omega k}{4\pi} (\hat{r} \times \vec{p}) [1 - \frac{1}{ikr}] (e^{ikr}/r)\). The discussion emphasizes the simplification of terms in specific scenarios, particularly in near and far-field approximations.

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  • Familiarity with electromagnetic theory, particularly Maxwell's equations.
  • Knowledge of vector potential and its role in computing electric and magnetic fields.
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Krikri
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Homework Statement


I want to compute the electric field knowing the magnetic field using a vector identity

Homework Equations



E=i [itex]\frac{c}{k}[/itex] (∇[itex]\times[/itex]B)

B(r,t)=(μ0ωk/4π) ([itex]\hat{r}[/itex]×[itex]\vec{p}[/itex])[1-[itex]\frac{1}{ikr}[/itex]](eikr/r)

[itex]\vec{p}[/itex]=dipole moment,constant vector

we have ti use the identity [itex]\nabla[/itex][itex]\times[/itex](A[itex]\times[/itex]B)=(B[itex]\cdot[/itex]∇)A-(A[itex]\cdot[/itex]∇)B +A(∇[itex]\cdot[/itex]B) +B(∇[itex]\cdot[/itex]A)

the identy simplifies in this situtation because for some reason we take (A[itex]\cdot[/itex]∇)B=0 and A(∇[itex]\cdot[/itex]B)=0
So applying this we have :

E(r,t)=ic/k(μ0ωk/4π) [itex]\nabla[/itex][eikr/r2(1-[itex]\frac{1}{ikr}[/itex]]×(r×p)+ic/k(μ0ωk/4π)[eikr/r2(1-[itex]\frac{1}{ikr}[/itex]]∇×(r×p)
E(r,t)=i(ω/4πε0c)[ik([itex]\frac{1}{r^2}[/itex]-[itex]\frac{1}{ikr^3}[/itex])]eikr r×(r×p) + i(ω/4πε0c)[(eikr/r^2)(1-[itex]\frac{1}{ikr}[/itex])][-∇[itex]\cdot[/itex]r)p+(p[itex]\cdot[/itex]∇)r] the this part says it's equal to -∇[itex]\cdot[/itex]r)p+(p[itex]\cdot[/itex]∇)r=-3p+p=-2p so

E(r,t)=[itex]\frac{k^2}{4πε0}[/itex](r×p)×r (ei(kr-ωt)/r) + [itex]\frac{1}{4πε0}[/itex][3r(r[itex]\cdot[/itex]p)-p]([itex]\frac{1}{r^3}[/itex]-[itex]\frac{ik}{r^2}[/itex])ei(kr-ωt)

My problem is i don't know how the vector identy is used here..with this tools we calculate magnetic and electric fields in the approximation zones( near,far-field) when vector potential is given. Can someone give a more simple example than this of what he did in this solution?
 
Last edited:
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Lets make sure I follow you first:

You want to find ##\vec{E}## given:
$$\vec{E} = i\frac{c}{k}\vec{\nabla}\times\vec{B}\\
\vec{B}(\vec{r},t)=\frac{\mu_0\omega k}{4\pi}\left (\vec{r}\times\vec{p} \right )
\left [ 1 - \frac{1}{ik\vec{r}} \right ]\frac{1}{\vec{r}}e^{ikr}\\

\vec{\nabla}\times(\vec{A}\times\vec{B})=(\vec B\cdot\vec{\nabla})\vec A-(\vec A\cdot\vec \nabla)\vec B + \vec A(\vec \nabla \cdot \vec B)+ \vec B(\vec \nabla \cdot \vec A)

$$... skipping a bit for now:
My problem is i don't know how the vector identy is used here.
... if I got the above right, it looks to me that when you do ##\vec \nabla \times \vec B## you will end up with a term involving ##\vec \nabla \times (\vec{r}\times\vec{p})## ... which is where the identity should have come in.

BTW: the equation editor can be tricky to use.
It is normally better just to type the LaTeX markup in directly.
 
i figured out how the identity works. In this situation i don't know , but as it seems the problems i am into, don't require all of the above but simpler cases.

Thanks a lot for your time
 

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