Mutual inductance between a very long, straight wire and a Semicircular loop

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic flux (Φ) between a long straight wire and a semicircular loop using the formula Φ = µI/2π ∫∫ (r dr dθ) / (R + r cos θ). Participants confirm the correctness of the expression for Φ but suggest avoiding polar coordinates for integration due to complexity. They propose using vertical strips to simplify the integration process, emphasizing the importance of correctly defining the variable of integration and the relationship between different variables. The final integral is expressed as Φ = µI/π ∫ (√(R-x)/(√(R+x))) dx, which participants agree is a more manageable form.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic fields and flux
  • Familiarity with integration techniques in calculus
  • Knowledge of polar coordinates and their applications
  • Basic concepts of electromagnetism, particularly mutual inductance
NEXT STEPS
  • Study advanced integration techniques, particularly substitutions in integrals
  • Learn about the applications of mutual inductance in electrical circuits
  • Explore the derivation of magnetic field equations for different geometries
  • Investigate the use of numerical methods for complex integrals in electromagnetism
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics and electrical engineering, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism and circuit design, will benefit from this discussion.

peace
Messages
44
Reaction score
4
Homework Statement
Calculate the mutual inductance between a very long, straight wire and a semicircular loop
Relevant Equations
B = µI/2πr

Φ = ∫B.dA
I think I have to assume a point like P in the semicircle. The point in terms of r and θ: P (r,θ).
Untitled.png

So the magnetic field at that point:
B = µI/2π(R+rcosθ) .

So the magnetic flux:
Φ = ∫B.dA= µI/2π ∫∫ rdrdθ / R+rcosθ .

Is this the correct solution?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
peace said:
So the magnetic flux:
Φ = ∫B.dA= µI/2π ∫∫ rdrdθ /( R+rcosθ) .

Is this the correct solution?
I think your expression for Φ is correct. (I added parentheses in the denominator.) But the integration looks hard to me. I would avoid using polar coordinates r and θ. Can you think of another way to set up the integration over the semicircular area that takes advantage of the fact that B is independent of the vertical position inside the area?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: gleem
TSny said:
I think your expression for Φ is correct. (I added parentheses in the denominator.) But the integration looks hard to me. I would avoid using polar coordinates r and θ. Can you think of another way to set up the integration over the semicircular area that takes advantage of the fact that B is independent of the vertical position inside the area?
I don't know exactly. There must be another way.
 
peace said:
I don't know exactly. There must be another way.
Vertical strips
 
TSny said:
Vertical strips
I don't think that can be done. I think the vertical strips are suitable for all shapes such as the square. But I try it now.
 
TSny said:
Vertical strips
What is the height of this vertical strip? The height is variable.
 
There is an expression for lower bound and upper bound, as a function of distance from the wire. After that
you just ##\int B\cdot dA##...
 
BvU said:
There is an expression for lower bound and upper bound, as a function of distance from the wire. After that
you just ##\int B\cdot dA##...
is my steps correct?
 
peace said:
What is the height of this vertical strip? The height is variable.
1572017037295.png


Yes, the strip's height 2y depends on x. Can you find the functional dependence of y on x?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BvU
  • #10
TSny said:
View attachment 251804

Yes, the strip's height 2y depends on x. Can you find the functional dependence of y on x?
I turned your idea into the following shot:
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.png
    Untitled.png
    2.7 KB · Views: 330
  • #11
peace said:
I turned your idea into the following shot:
But calculations with regard to this idea:
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.png
    Untitled.png
    5.2 KB · Views: 336
  • #12
Yes, looks good so far. You had a sign error in your first equation of post #10, but post #11 looks OK.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: peace
  • #13
TSny said:
Yes, looks good so far. You had a sign error in your first equation of post #10, but post #11 looks OK.
yes, i noticed my mistake in that equation right now. You are right.
 
  • #14
TSny said:
Yes, looks good so far. You had a sign error in your first equation of post #10, but post #11 looks OK.

The integral should be similar to the following integral:

Φ = µI/π ∫ (√R-x / √R+x) dx

Is there a way to achieve this integral?
 
  • #15
peace said:
The integral should be similar to the following integral:

Φ = µI/π ∫ (√R-x / √R+x) dx

Is there a way to achieve this integral?
Yes. Good. Your x here is the same as the x in my figure of post #9. Try letting x = Rcos(2θ) and recall some trig identities. Note that we're very lucky that the distance from the wire to the loop is the same as the radius of the loop! Otherwise, the integrand would not have simplified to your expression above.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: peace
  • #16
TSny said:
Yes. Good. Your x here is the same as the x in my figure of post #9. Try letting x = Rcos(2θ) and recall some trig identities. Note that we're very lucky that the distance from the wire to the loop is the same as the radius of the loop! Otherwise, the integrand would not have simplified to your expression above.
Ok. but the problem is how x = Rcos(2θ) ...
 
  • #17
peace said:
Ok. but the problem is how x = Rcos(2θ) ...
Here, θ is not the polar coordinate angle. It's just a new variable of integration. I should have used a different symbol, say x = Rcos(2∅). So, you're switching the integration variable from x to ∅ by using this substitution.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: peace
  • #18
TSny said:
Here, θ is not the polar coordinate angle. It's just a new variable of integration. I should have used a different symbol, say x = Rcos(2∅). So, you're switching the integration variable from x to ∅ by using this substitution.
Should I put this x in the integral of Post #11?
 
  • #19
peace said:
Should I put this x in the integral of Post #11?
No, use it the integral of post #14.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: peace
  • #20
TSny said:
No, use it the integral of post #14.
But I want to get integral of post #14 through integral of post #11.
 
  • #21
Are you asking how the integral in #11 can be converted to the integral in #14?
 
  • #22
TSny said:
Are you asking how the integral in #11 can be converted to the integral in #14?
Yes, exactly. Because my professor said you have to reach integral of post #14.
 
  • #23
The symbol x has a different meaning in the two integrals. In post #11, you were letting x represent the distance shown here:
1572032905678.png
But, in post #14, x represents the distance shown here:
1572032974680.png

Suppose we use a capital X for your distance in post 11 and a lower case x for the distance shown for post 14. Then your integral in post 11 would look the same except for using X instead of x. To get the integral for post 14, you need to change the variable of integration from X to x. What is the relation between X and x? Use this as a substitution to get from the integral in 11 to the integral in 14. Also, be sure to include the limits for the integrals.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: peace
  • #24
TSny said:
The symbol x has a different meaning in the two integrals. In post #11, you were letting x represent the distance shown here:
View attachment 251815But, in post #14, x represents the distance shown here:
View attachment 251816
Suppose we use a capital X for your distance in post 11 and a lower case x for the distance shown for post 14. Then your integral in post 11 would look the same except for using X instead of x. To get the integral for post 14, you need to change the variable of integration from X to x. What is the relation between X and x? Use this as a substitution to get from the integral in 11 to the integral in 14. Also, be sure to include the limits for the integrals.
How did you find that x is the same as x in post #9 ?
 
  • #25
X=R+x , dX=dx
so:
Φ = µI/π ∫ (√R^2 - x^2 / R+x ) dx .

But it's still different from the integral we want. But this seems to be the utmost similarity to the integral we want.
 
  • #26
When I first worked the problem, I chose x as shown in post #9. It seemed more natural to me to do it that way. This led directly to the integral of post 14. But your choice is not wrong, it's just not as convenient. If you set up the integral as you did, then you are naturally led to making a substitution that effectively takes you to a variable of integration that represents the distance x of post #14. Then you can proceed with a further substitution x = Rcos(2∅).
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: peace
  • #27
peace said:
X=R+x , dX=dx
so:
Φ = µI/π ∫ (√R^2 - x^2 / R+x ) dx .

But it's still different from the integral we want. But this seems to be the utmost similarity to the integral we want.
This can be simplified to what you want. Factor the expression in the square root.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: peace
  • #28
TSny said:
This can be simplified to what you want. Factor the expression in the square root.
Φ = µI/π ∫ (√R^2 - x^2 / R+x ) dx
Φ =µI/π ∫ √ (R-x)(R+x) / R+x ) dx
Φ =µI/π ∫ √ (R-x)√(R+x)/R+x) dx
so:
Φ =µI/π ∫ √ (R-x) / √(R+x) dx .
 
  • #29
Good
 
  • #30
TSny said:
Good
could I use x from the beginning?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
12K