Magnetic Flux through a hemisphere.

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic flux through a hemispherical closed surface in a uniform magnetic field, specifically addressing two surfaces: the flat surface and the hemispherical surface. Participants explore the implications of magnetic flux and Gauss's law for magnetism in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of surface integrals to calculate magnetic flux, questioning the correctness of their approaches. There is an exploration of the implications of uniform magnetic fields and the relationship between the two surfaces in terms of flux.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance regarding the application of Gauss's law for magnetism, suggesting that the total magnetic flux through a closed surface must equal zero. There is an ongoing exploration of how to correctly express the flux for each surface, with some participants expressing confusion about their calculations and the expected signs of the flux values.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies in their answers despite following the expected mathematical procedures. There is mention of potential issues with how answers are inputted in a web-based homework system, as well as differing conventions regarding the sign of magnetic flux through closed surfaces.

Slimmy
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Symbolic question:
Consider the hemispherical closed surface in Figure P30.34. The hemisphere is in a uniform magnetic field that makes an angle θ with the vertical.
pse6_p30-34.gif

(a) Calculate the magnetic flux through the flat surface (S1), using pi for π, theta for θ, B, and R as necessary.
(b) Calculate the magnetic flux through the hemispherical surface (S2), using pi for π, theta for θ, B, and R as necessary.

Homework Equations


Magnetic Flux =
[Surface integral](B (dot) dA)
(My apologies for...not knowing how to insert equations yet)

The Attempt at a Solution


Well, the problem states the magnetic field is uniform, so, at least for the flat surface, I should be able to pull the "B" out of the integral, as well as the cos(theta) so, you are left with Bcos(theta)piR^(2), (the area of surface one). Yet it is incorrect. For part b, I would assume it would be the same as part a, seeing as how it is a surface integral. (If my concept of surface integrals are correct)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Please make separate posts for those 2 problems. Your solution to (a) is right. If this is some sort of web based homework, then you might want to check that everything is typed in correctly.

For part (b) you can use Gauss's law for magnetism which states that the total magnetic flux through a closed surface must be 0.
 
nickjer said:
Please make separate posts for those 2 problems. Your solution to (a) is right. If this is some sort of web based homework, then you might want to check that everything is typed in correctly.

For part (b) you can use Gauss's law for magnetism which states that the total magnetic flux through a closed surface must be 0.
My apology for that.

Well, for part (a) I have tried my answer, yet, it is still wrong, and yes I have checked to make sure it was typed in correctly.
For part (b) I believe it only wants the flux for the surface of two, so it is not closed without surface one, because zero was the incorrect answer as well.
 
The total closed surface is the sum of the two surfaces. So the sum of the fluxes should be 0. Since you know the flux through surface (1), then you can easily get the flux through surface (2).
 
Ah, so the magnetic flux for the second surface is just the negative of the first surface? Yet, if that is the case...I still cannot obtain the correct answer for part (a).
This is exactly what I typed in the answer box.
cos(theta)*B*pi*R^2
And I looked at the preview of the answer..and everything seems to be okay.
It is still incorrect.
 
Maybe set the first answer negative, and the 2nd answer positive. Other than that, I am out of ideas.
 
Yup, you were right, I had to switch them...yet, I am still clueless as to why... But thank you for your help!
 
Doesn't matter too much. Some people prefer flux into a closed surface to be negative, others positive. Seems your book prefers flux into a closed surface to be negative.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K