Jackson Electrodynamics problem 6.5b

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving Jackson's Electrodynamics problem 6.5b, which involves deriving the momentum of electromagnetic fields from a localized electric charge distribution and a time-independent current density J(x). The participants confirm that the momentum can be expressed as {\bf P_{field}}=\frac{1}{c^2}\int \phi {\bf J} d^3x and further expand the electrostatic potential in a Taylor series to show that {\bf P_{field}}=\frac{1}{c^2}{\bf E(0)\times m}. Key equations referenced include (6.117) for momentum and (5.54) for magnetic moment. The discussion highlights the importance of integrating by parts and using vector identities to simplify the expressions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic field theory, specifically the concepts of electric fields and magnetic moments.
  • Familiarity with vector calculus, particularly integration by parts and Taylor series expansion.
  • Knowledge of Jackson's Electrodynamics, particularly equations (6.117) and (5.54).
  • Proficiency in manipulating vector identities in three-dimensional space.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review Jackson's Electrodynamics, specifically Section 5.6, to understand the derivation of the second integral.
  • Study vector calculus techniques, focusing on integration by parts in the context of electromagnetic fields.
  • Explore the implications of Taylor series expansions in electrostatics and their applications in electromagnetic theory.
  • Practice problems involving the calculation of momentum in electromagnetic fields to solidify understanding.
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, as well as educators looking for detailed explanations of electromagnetic momentum derivations.

andrew1982
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A localized electric charge distribution produces an electrostatic field,
<br /> {\bf E}=-\nabla \phi <br />
Into this field is placed a small localized time-independent current density J(x) which generates a magnetic field H.
a) show that the momentum of these electromagnetic fields, (6.117), can be transformed to
<br /> {\bf P_{field}}=\frac{1}{c^2}\int \phi {\bf J} d^3x <br />

b) Assuming that the current distribution is localized to a region small compared to the scale of variation of the electric field, expand the electrostatic potential in a Taylor series and show that
<br /> {\bf P_{field}}=\frac{1}{c^2}{\bf E(0)\times m}<br />
where E(0) is the electric field at the current distribution and m is the magnetic moment (5.54), caused by the current.

Homework Equations


(6.117):
<br /> {\bf P_{field}}=\mu_0 \epsilon_0 \int {\bf E \times H} d^3x<br />
(5.54):
<br /> {\bf m}=\frac{1}{2} \int {\bf x&#039; \times J(x&#039;)} d^3x&#039;<br />

The Attempt at a Solution


Part a) was straight forward: subsituting E=- grad phi and integrating by parts gives the answer plus a surface integral that goes to 0 if phi*H goes to 0 faster than 1/r^2.

Part b): This is where I get stuck. I tried to put
<br /> \phi=\phi(0)+\nabla \phi(0)\cdot{\bf x}<br />
which replaced in the integral for P_field from a) gives
<br /> {\bf P_{field}}=-\frac{1}{c^2} \int {\bf (E(0)\cdot x) J)} d^3x<br />
if I choose the potential to zero at the origin. Further, using
<br /> {\bf a\times (b\times c)=(a\cdot c) b-(a\cdot b)c}<br />
on the integrand I get
<br /> {\bf P_{field}}=\frac{1}{c^2} (\int {\bf E(0)\times (x\times J) }d^3x-\int{\bf (E(0)\cdot J)x}\,d^3x)<br />
The first integral is as far I can see
<br /> \frac{2}{c^2} {\bf E(0)\times m}<br />
that is, twice the answer. The second integral gets me stuck. I guess I should show that it is equal to minus half of the answer (if I did everything correctly so far), but I don't see how to do this.

I would appreciate if anyone could give me a hint on how to continue or if I'm on the right track at all. Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Somewhere else in Jackson (and other texts) it is shown the second integral
equals EXm. It's in Sec. 5.6 of the 2nd Edition, if you can follow it.
 
If you believe that the second integral is indeed equal to Exm, then why not simply write them both out in components to prove it? Granted it's not really a proper derivation, but you were only asked to show that the formula is true.
 
Thanks for your replies, it was very helpful! Using section 5.6 of Jackson as you said I saw that I could show directly that the first integral
<br /> {\bf P_{field}}=-\frac{1}{c^2} \int {\bf (E(0)\cdot x) J)} d^3x<br />
is equal to the sought answer without using the abc vector rule. Looking below eq. 5.52 (in the 3rd edition) and substituting x by E(0) the whole derivation is there.
 
How about the part C
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K