Question on Poynting Vector calculation in wire.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the Poynting vector for a long conducting wire carrying a direct current (DC). Participants explore the implications of the Poynting vector in relation to energy flow, the distribution of electric and magnetic fields, and the verification of the Poynting theorem in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the book calculates the electric field (E) as being on the surface of the conductor when it is evenly distributed inside the wire due to the DC current.
  • Another participant suggests that the Poynting vector is typically calculated at the surface to determine the energy flux into the conductor.
  • A participant proposes calculating the Poynting vector at an arbitrary surface inside the wire and seeks clarification on the appropriate expressions for current and magnetic field at that surface.
  • Discussion arises about the verification of the Poynting theorem, with a participant noting that the surface integral represents the power entering the wire, which includes electric and magnetic energy as well as ohmic dissipation.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the time derivative of electromagnetic energy and its implications for energy flow into the conductor.
  • There are conflicting views on the direction of current flow relative to the electric field and the resulting Poynting vector, with some participants asserting that current flows in the same direction as the electric field, while others suggest the opposite based on charge definitions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the direction of energy flow, the interpretation of the Poynting vector, and the application of the Poynting theorem. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, particularly regarding the implications of the time derivative of energy and the relationship between current and electric field direction.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the calculations depend on assumptions about the distribution of electric and magnetic fields, and there are unresolved questions about the mathematical steps involved in verifying the Poynting theorem.

yungman
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This start out as an example in the book:

Find Poynting Vector of a long conducting wire with radius = b and conductivity \sigma with DC current through the wire. Assume wire in z direction and use cylindrical coordinates.

Since DC current, current distribute evenly inside the wire.

\vec I \;=\; \vec J \pi b^2 \;=\; \sigma \vec E \pi b^2 \;\Rightarrow\; \vec E \;=\; \hat z \;\frac {I}{\sigma \pi b^2}

\vec H \;=\; \hat {\phi} \;\frac {I}{2\pi b} \;\hbox { on the surface of the wire.}

\hbox {Poynting vector = }\; \vec E X \vec H \;=\; \hat z \;X\; \hat{\phi} \;\frac {I^2}{2\sigma \pi^2 b^3}

This is all nice and good. MY question is: The book consider E is on the surface of the conductor. From the calculation about, I see that the E is evenly inside the wire also since it is DC current. Why the book calculate as if the E is on the surface or in the air right above the surface of the wire?
 
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You can calculate at any point in space where E is not zero but what is usually done in a case like the example is that you want to know flux of energy through an element of surface and in this case one usually calculate the flux of energy into the conductor and you do that integrating the Poynting vector over the conductor's surface
 
Thanks for the response.

What you are saying is the book choose the surface of the wire to calculate the Poynting vector of the surface.

In this case where the I is DC, I can choose to find the Poynting vector along an arbitrary surface say at radius equal a < b ( a surface inside the wire ) and calculate the Poynting vector for surface of radius = a.

For surface of radius = a< b inside the wire, do I use

I_a = \frac { I \pi a^2}{\pi b^2} \;\hbox { and } \; \vec H = \frac {I_a}{2\pi a}

To find the Poynting vector at surface radius = a?
 
Yes, that's right
 
Thanks.
 
This is the related question on the same problem. This part is the verify Poynting Theorem on the surface of the wire assume the wire on z-axis:

-\int_{S&#039;} \vec P \cdot d \vec {S&#039;}\;=\; \int_{v&#039;} \frac{\mu}{2} H^2 dV&#039; \;+\; \int_{v&#039;} \frac{\epsilon}{2} E^2 dV&#039; + \int_{v&#039;} \sigma E^2 dV&#039; (1)

Where the first two terms on the right are the electric and magnetic energy enter into the section of wire. The third term is the ohmic dissipation due to the EM.

For E and H on the surface of the wire:

\vec E = \hat z \frac {I}{\pi b^2 \sigma} \;\hbox { and }\; \vec H = \hat {\phi} \frac {I}{2\pi b} \;\Rightarrow\; \vec P = (-\hat r)\frac{I^2}{2\pi^2b^3\sigma}

-\int_{S&#039;} \vec P \cdot d \vec {S&#039;}\;=\; -\int_0^L (-\hat r)\frac{I^2}{2\pi^2b^3\sigma} \cdot \hat r (2\pi b) dl&#039; \;=\; \frac {I^2 L}{\pi b^2\sigma}\;=\;I^2R

My understand is -\int_{S&#039;} \vec P \cdot d \vec {S&#039;} is the total power entering into the section of wire length equal to L which include the electric and magnetic energy together with the power dissipated in the wire due to ohmic loss as shown in (1). But in the answer, only the term of the ohmic dissipation appeared!

Where is the magnetic and electric energy? Does that mean both energy goes in from one side of the wire and leaving on the other side of the wire and net energy does not change in the section of wire?
 
Last edited:
The surface integral is the electromagnetic energy flowing into the conductor per unit time and this is equal to d/dt(total energy inside the conductor). The time derivative make your electromagnetic energy terms vanish.
 
facenian said:
The surface integral is the electromagnetic energy flowing into the conductor per unit time and this is equal to d/dt(total energy inside the conductor). The time derivative make your electromagnetic energy terms vanish.

I forgot to put in the time derivative on the EM energy term! Can you explain why the time derivative of inflow of EM energy per unit time is zero?
 
I must be missing something here in a sign, but doesn't crossing E into H here result in the Poynting vector out from the wire?
 
  • #10
John94N said:
I must be missing something here in a sign, but doesn't crossing E into H here result in the Poynting vector out from the wire?

\hat z \;X\; \hat {\phi} \;=\; -\hat r \;\hbox { which is point inward.}
 
  • #11
Right because I is flowing in -z direction.
Thanks.
 
  • #12
I think the energy from H and E is flowing into the wire is equal to the power dissipated as heat from I squared R flowing out from the wire, think of an incandescent bulb
 
  • #13
John94N said:
Right because I is flowing in -z direction.
Thanks.

No, current flow in +z direction same direction as E.
 
  • #14
If electric field vector is positive at the tip and negative at the base then positive current must flow from tip to base or in reverse direction to E. Correct? This must be so if EXH is in the minus r direction.
 
  • #15
John94N said:
base then positive current must flow from tip to base or in reverse direction to E. Correct?

No, current mus flow in the same direction as E. Remember tha current is defined as flow of positive charges.
 
  • #16
John94N said:
If electric field vector is positive at the tip and negative at the base then positive current must flow from tip to base or in reverse direction to E. Correct? This must be so if EXH is in the minus r direction.

You are thinking of electron flow, current is opposite direction.
 
  • #17
yungman said:
Can you explain why the time derivative of inflow of EM energy per unit time is zero?

the correct (1) equation for energy balance is
-\int_{S&#039;} \vec{P} \cdot d \vec {S&#039;}\;=\;\frac{d}{dt}\left(\int_{v&#039;} \frac{\mu}{2} H^2 dV&#039; \;+\; \int_{v&#039;} \frac{\epsilon}{2} E^2 dV&#039; \right)+ \int_{v&#039;} \sigma E^2 dV&#039;
 
  • #18
facenian said:
the correct (1) equation for energy balance is
-\int_{S&#039;} \vec{P} \cdot d \vec {S&#039;}\;=\;\frac{d}{dt}\left(\int_{v&#039;} \frac{\mu}{2} H^2 dV&#039; \;+\; \int_{v&#039;} \frac{\epsilon}{2} E^2 dV&#039; \right)+ \int_{v&#039;} \sigma E^2 dV&#039;


Holly! How can I miss this! So both terms don't have t component so the derivative respect to t is zero! Just that simple?!:redface::eek:

Thanks

Alan
 
  • #19
Sorry to get hung up on this but if current flow is defined as positive charges then current on a wire in +z has E in +z. By right hand rule H is clockwise around wire and then E X H, right hand rule again, must be out from wire, which must be wrong but I don't see why.
 
  • #20
John94N said:
Sorry to get hung up on this but if current flow is defined as positive charges then current on a wire in +z has E in +z. By right hand rule H is clockwise around wire and then E X H, right hand rule again, must be out from wire, which must be wrong but I don't see why.

No, if your thumb is direction of current and H is direction of your 4 fingers which is in counter clock wise direction. So if thumb is z, 4 fingers is in \phi. Then propagation is in \hat z X \hat{\phi} \;= -\hat r.
 
  • #21
John94N said:
Right because I is flowing in -z direction.
Thanks.

I think the energy from H and E is flowing into the wire is equal to the power dissipated as heat from I squared R flowing out from the wire, think of an incandescent bulb

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