Missing a Factor of 2 in a Poynting Vector Verification

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    Poynting vector Vector
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the verification of the Poynting theorem in the context of a current-carrying wire with a parallel-plate capacitor formed by a narrow gap. Participants explore the derivation and potential discrepancies, particularly regarding a missing factor of 2 in the calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a discrepancy in the verification of the Poynting theorem, suggesting a possible missing factor of 2 in the final line of their derivation.
  • Another participant advises caution when taking the divergence in cylindrical coordinates, implying that this may be relevant to the issue at hand.
  • A subsequent reply questions whether the factor of 2 arises from the divergence of the Poynting vector in cylindrical coordinates, indicating uncertainty about the steps involved.
  • A later reply confirms that the divergence of a vector field with only a radial component can yield a factor of 2, providing a specific mathematical expression for clarification.
  • One participant expresses satisfaction with the clarification provided, indicating that it resolved their question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial derivation's correctness, but there is agreement on the importance of careful application of divergence in cylindrical coordinates. The discussion includes both hints and confirmations regarding the mathematical treatment of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some steps in the derivation are noted as missing, and the discussion highlights the dependence on proper definitions and mathematical treatment in cylindrical coordinates.

the-brammo
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The question reads:

A fat wire, radius a, carries a constant current I, uniformly distributed over its cross section. A narrow gap in the wire, of width w << a, forms a parallel-plate capacitor.

I have drawn a red box at the bottom of the page where the Poynting theorem is supposedly verified - however it seems to be a factor of 2 out. I am happy that the derivation for uem is correct, it must be something to do with the very last line. Could someone please point me in the right direction, excuse the pun.

Poynting.png
 
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You should be careful about taking the divergence in cylindrical coordinates.
 
Is this a hint? I know there are some steps are missing, does a factor of two comes out when the divergence of s is taken in cylindrical coordinates?
 
the-brammo said:
Is this a hint? I know there are some steps are missing, does a factor of two comes out when the divergence of s is taken?

Yes, it was a hint. The divergence of a vector field with only a radial component is given by \nabla \cdot (A_s\hat{s})=\frac{1}{s}\frac{\partial}{\partial s}(sA_s).

So in your example ## A_s =s## and the divergence becomes

\nabla \cdot (s \hat{s})=\frac{1}{s}\frac{\partial}{\partial s}(s^2)=2.
 
Thanks so much, this answers my question perfectly.
 

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