Magnetic field from the displacement current of a charging sphere

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic field generated by a charging conducting sphere using the concept of displacement current. The displacement current density is given as j_d = I / (4πr²) and is essential for applying Maxwell's equations. The magnetic field is derived using the integral form of Ampère's law, leading to the expression B = (I/c r³ sin(θ))(1 - cos(θ)). A key question arises regarding a discrepancy in the factor of r² in the provided solution, prompting clarification on how this factor is accounted for in the calculations. Understanding the relationship between displacement current and the resulting magnetic field is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
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Homework Statement



The problem is #1 given here:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-311-electromagnetic-theory-spring-2004/assignments/ps1.pdf
And there is a solution publicly available here:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-311-electromagnetic-theory-spring-2004/assignments/solution1.pdf

In short, a conducting sphere is being charged through a straight wire with given current I. You are asked to find the displacement current, and finally the magnetic field.

My question pertains to finding the magnetic field - I don't understand how the displacement current was used to find the magnetic field.

Homework Equations



The displacement current was found to be:

j_d = \frac{I}{4 \pi r^2} \hat{r}

To find the magnetic field, use

\int B \cdot dl = \frac{4\pi}{c} \int j \cdot \hat{n} dA

where j is the current density and n is the unit vector normal to the surface.

The Attempt at a Solution



For the contour, we consider a loop about the axis of the wire (there is a figure in the solutions). The distance from the center of the sphere to the loop is r. The angle between the loop and the axis of the wire is θ.

On the left hand side, we thus have

\int B \cdot dl = 2 \pi r \sin{(\theta)} B

The surface we are using for the right hand side is a section of a sphere of radius r. So we need to integrate the displacement current (since there is no actual current through this surface, only displacement) over this region:

\frac{4\pi}{c} \int j \cdot \hat{n} dA = \frac{4\pi}{c} \int_0^{2\pi} d\phi \int_0^{\theta'} d\theta \sin{\theta} \frac{I}{4 \pi r^2} \hat{r} \cdot \hat{r}

= \frac{2\pi I}{c r^2} (1-\cos \theta)

Combine this with the left hand side from above:

2 \pi r \sin{(\theta)} B = \frac{2\pi I}{c r^2} (1-\cos \theta)
B = \frac{I}{c r^3 \sin{\theta}} (1-\cos \theta)

Finally, the question: why is the answer in the solutions given off by a factor r^2? Why does this factor from the displacement current disappear in the worked solutions?

Thanks for the help

Edit: the given solution is
B = \frac{(1-\cos \theta) I}{cr \sin \theta}
 
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