Magnetic field of rotating cylinder

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic field within a rotating cylinder with a surface charge density, utilizing the integral law for magnetic fields. The key equation referenced is the integral(B,ds) = μ0*integral(J,da), where J represents the current density derived from the surface charge density (σ) and angular velocity (ω). The participants clarify that the current density J is tangential to the cylinder's surface, and the integration should be performed over the surface current density K, which is defined as K = σv = σωR. The conclusion emphasizes that the magnetic field inside the cylinder can be determined by integrating the surface current density over the curve intersecting the cylinder.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic fields and current density
  • Familiarity with integral calculus in physics
  • Knowledge of surface charge density and its implications
  • Concept of angular velocity in rotating systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Biot-Savart Law for magnetic field calculations
  • Learn about surface current density and its applications in electromagnetism
  • Explore the properties of perfect conductors in electromagnetic theory
  • Investigate the implications of symmetry in magnetic field problems
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focused on electromagnetism, electrical engineers, and anyone involved in advanced studies of magnetic fields in rotating systems.

Kruger
Messages
213
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The problem is to find the magnetic field within a rotating cylinder (infinitely long) that has on its surface a given surface charge density p. I made a picture of the problem to illustrate this. The only hint given: "the magnetic field outside the cylinder is zero.

Homework Equations



Sorry, I cannot use Latex, but:

integral(B,ds) = u0*integral(J,da) where

B is the magnetic field, ds the vector line element, J the current density, da the vector area element.

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, to be cleary, I can solve this problem, but I do not understand a very basic thing.
First I argued by symmetry, that the magnetic field can only be in direction of the angular frequency vector w. Then I took a curve c, illustrated in my picture and now I want to apply the integral law I have written above to this curve c.

I know the left hand side of the integral, which is simply (given that the curve has lengt L):

B*L,

Now I want to calculate the right hand side. Doing so, I first need J. logically:

|J|=(p/(2*pi*R))*(w*R) where (w*R) = v is simply the velocity.

Up to here all is quite easy, but now I have some questions:
i) Is it correct, that the J vector is the tangential vector to the outer surface of the cylinder perpendicular to the angular frequency vector w?
ii) The integral law states that I have to integrate J over the area enclosed by the curve c. But this doesn't seems to be correct. I mean, the area within the cylinder and enclosed by the curve c would then be (R-r1)*L and outside undefined. So over which area do I have to integrate and WHY?
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Is it a hollow cylinder? Also, do you have a surface current flowing only on the outside of the cylinder, or is it a volume current?
 
Well, I think we can assume the cylinder to be a perfect conductor carrying only a surface charge density at its outside. So inside there will not be any current.
 
So, you'll only need to calculate the net current enclosed by the curve C you drew. If \sigma is the surface charge density, then the surface current will be K=\sigma v = \sigma \omega R. From this, you can find the current enclosed by the loop and the magnetic field inside.
 
Ah, so you mean I have to integrate the surface current density K (unit A/m) over the line my curve intersects the cylinder? So I get K*length(curve) = K*L.
 
Kruger said:
Ah, so you mean I have to integrate the surface current density K (unit A/m) over the line my curve intersects the cylinder? So I get K*length(curve) = K*L.

Yeah, looks right.
 
Ah, ok, then I understand it now. I think the first thing I were trying to do was integrating an object, namely the current density J, which is simply everywhere zero except at the boundaries of the cylinder over an area which intersects the current density vector J perpendicular. This cannot really work, because then J would be of zero measure for the integral of J over the area which is enclosed by the curve I have drawn (because with respect to the integral J*d(area), J is just defined on a line, namely the intersection of my rectangular area with the cylinder and zero elsewhere).

<--- This seems to be written in a strange manner, but well, this was just what confused me.

Thank you for help.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K