Magnetic Field of Magnetic Dipole Moment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the magnetic field produced by a magnetic dipole moment, as described in Jackson's 'Classical Electrodynamics'. Participants are examining the derivation of the magnetic induction \(\vec{B}\) from the magnetic vector potential \(\vec{A}\), specifically focusing on the application of vector calculus identities and the handling of terms in the equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on the derivation of the magnetic field \(\vec{B}\) from the magnetic vector potential \(\vec{A}\) as presented in Jackson's text.
  • Another participant challenges the correctness of a term in the original calculation, suggesting it should be expressed differently.
  • A newcomer to the forum expresses a similar confusion and attempts to apply the product rule for derivatives but does not arrive at a conclusion.
  • One participant reiterates the expression for \(\vec{B}\) and discusses the implications of ignoring singularities in the derivation.
  • There is a request for more detailed explanation on how to show a specific equality involving the gradient operator acting on the magnetic dipole moment and position vector.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster should consider a different textbook, implying that the current one may not be sufficient.
  • Participants discuss the application of the gradient operator to different functions and clarify the operations involved in the calculations.
  • Further elaboration is provided on the mathematical steps leading to the expression involving the magnetic dipole moment and the position vector.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of specific terms in the derivation, and multiple competing views on how to approach the calculations remain evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the treatment of singularities and the application of vector calculus identities. Participants express varying degrees of confidence in their approaches and results.

Morto
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I'm seeking some clarification on a topic found in Jackson 'Classical Electrodynamics' Chapter 5. This deals with the magnetic field of a localised current distribution, where the magnetic vector potential is given by
\vec{A}(\vec{x}) = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{\vec{m}\times\vec{x}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}

and the magnetic induction \vec{B} is the curl of this \vec{B} = \nabla \times \vec{A}.
I know that the end result should be
\vec{B}(\vec{x}) = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \left[\frac{3\vec{n}\left(\vec{n}\cdot\vec{m} - \vec{m}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\right]
Where \vec{n} is the unit vector in the direction of \vec{x}
But I'm struggling to do this calculation for myself.

I know that
\vec{B}(\vec{x}) = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \left(\nabla \times \left(\frac{\vec{m}\times\vec{x}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\right)\right) \\<br /> = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\left(\vec{m}\left(\nabla\cdot\frac{\vec{x}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\right) - \frac{\vec{x}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\left(\nabla\cdot \vec{m}\right)\right)

How does Jackson end up at the result quoted?
 
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Your second term is wrong. It should be
-({\vec m}\cdot\nabla)\left[\frac{\vec x}{|{\vec x}|^3}\right].
 
Hi

I'm new to this forum! Googleing for the questioned problem I found this forum. Having the same problem as the author of this thread, I want to ask if someone has a solution on how Jackson found the formula for \vec{B}?

I tried my luck with the product rule \nabla\times(\vec{A}\times\vec{B})=(\vec{B}\cdot\nabla)\vec{A}-(\vec{A}\cdot\nabla)\vec{B}+\vec{A}(\nabla\cdot\vec{B})-\vec{B}(\nabla\cdot\vec{A}) but came to no conclusion.

kind regards,
derivator

(sorry for my english, it's not my mother tongue)
 
Last edited:
As I said in my post, the curl of the cross product should be
\vec{B}(\vec{x}) = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \left(\nabla \times \left(\frac{\vec{m}\times\vec{x}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\right)\right) \\<br /> = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\left(\vec{m}\left(\nabla\cdot\frac{\vec{x}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\right) - ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla)\left[\frac{\vec x}{|{\vec x}|^3}\right].
This follows because m is a constant so only two terms of your four enter.
Given this result, the first term is a delta function is not needed if r>0.
The second term gives the result in the first post if the delta function singularity at the origin is again ignored.
Jackson is a bit obscure on this.
 
Hi,
thanks for your answer.

Could you get a bit more detailed on how to show that

- ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla)\left[\frac{\vec x}{|{\vec x}|^3}\right]=\left[\frac{3\vec{n}\left(\vec{n}\cdot\vec{m}\right) - \vec{m}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\right]

is correct?
 
You really need a better textbook.
Sorry I can't seem to find my latex error below. If hyou can read or correct it, it should show you what to do.
- ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla)\left[\frac{\vec x}{|{\vec x}|^3}\right]=
-{\vec x} ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla)\frac{1}{|{\vec x}|^3}
-\frac{1}{|{\vec x}|^3} ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla){\vec x}
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The point is that the m.del acts on only one function at a time.
 
<br /> - (\vec{m}\cdot\nabla)\left[\frac{\vec{x}}{|\vec {x}|^3}\right]=<br /> -{\vec x} ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla)\frac{1}{|{\vec x}|^3}<br /> -\frac{1}{|{\vec x}|^3} ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla){\vec x}<br />
 
Derivator said:
Hi,
thanks for your answer.

Could you get a bit more detailed on how to show that

- ({\vec m}\cdot\nabla)\left[\frac{\vec x}{|{\vec x}|^3}\right]=\left[\frac{3\vec{n}\left(\vec{n}\cdot\vec{m}\right) - \vec{m}}{\left|\vec{x}\right|^3}\right]

is correct?

\nabla\frac{\vec{r}}{r^{3}}=\left(\nabla\frac{1}{r^{3}}\right)\vec{r}+\frac{\nabla\vec{r}}{r^{3}}=-\frac{3\vec{r}\vec{r}}{r^{5}}+\frac{\mathbf{I}}{r^{3}}

\vec{m}\cdot\nabla\frac{\vec{r}}{r^{3}}=\vec{m}\cdot\left(-\frac{3\vec{r}\vec{r}}{r^{5}}+\frac{\mathbf{I}}{r^{3}}\right)=-\frac{3(\vec{m}\cdot\vec{r})\vec{r}}{r^{5}}+\frac{\vec{m}}{r^{3}}

I is the unit tensor.
 

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