Rotating dielectric sphere : Jackson 6.8

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on Exercise 6.8 from Jackson's "Classical Electrodynamics," which involves a rotating dielectric sphere in a uniform electric field. The key result is the magnetic field expression given by \textbf{H} = - \nabla \Phi_M, where \Phi_M is defined as \(\frac{3}{5}\epsilon_0 \left( \frac{\epsilon - \epsilon_0}{\epsilon + 2 \epsilon_0} \right) E_0 \omega \left( \frac{a}{r_<} \right)^5 x z\). The participants debate the assumption that the polarization remains constant despite the sphere's rotation, leading to the derivation of an effective surface current density \(\mathbf{K}_M = \sigma_{pol}(\mathbf{x}) . \mathbf{v}(\mathbf{x})\). The discussion highlights the confusion surrounding the application of non-relativistic conditions and the reliance on previous problems for understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dielectric materials and their properties, specifically dielectric constant \(\epsilon\).
  • Familiarity with the concepts of polarization \(\mathbf{P}\) and magnetization in electromagnetism.
  • Knowledge of vector calculus, particularly gradient operations and surface charge density.
  • Proficiency in classical mechanics, especially concepts related to rotational motion and angular velocity \(\omega\).
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Jackson's "Classical Electrodynamics," particularly Section 6.6 and equation (6.100) for a deeper understanding of polarization and magnetization.
  • Review the derivation of magnetic fields from moving charges and currents in electromagnetism.
  • Examine the relationship between electric fields and induced magnetic fields in rotating systems.
  • Explore additional problems in Jackson to solidify understanding of non-relativistic approximations in electrodynamics.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for graduate students in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, as well as educators and researchers seeking clarity on complex problems related to dielectric materials and their behavior in electric and magnetic fields.

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Homework Statement


I'm working at the exercise 6.8 of Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics. Here it is :
We consider a dielectric sphere of dielectric constant \epsilon and of radius a located at the origin. There is a uniform applied electric field E_0 in the x direction. The sphere rotates with an angular velocity \omega about the z axis. We have to show that there is a magnetic field \textbf{H} = - \nabla \Phi_M where :
\Phi_M(\textbf{x}) = \frac{3}{5}\epsilon_0 \left( \frac{\epsilon - \epsilon_0}{\epsilon + 2 \epsilon_0} \right) E_0 \omega \left( \frac{a}{r_&lt;} \right)^5 x z
where r_&gt; = \max(r, a). The motion is nonrelativistic.

The Attempt at a Solution



In every solutions I found (here is a good one : http://www-personal.umich.edu/~pran/jackson/P505/p10s.pdf" ), they suppose that the polarization of the sphere is the same as if the sphere stayed static :
\mathbf{P} = 3 \epsilon_0 \left( \frac{\epsilon - \epsilon_0}{\epsilon + 2 \epsilon_0} \right) E_0
I guess we may assume this because we suppose the motion is nonrelativistic ?
So we have a bound surface charge density
\sigma_{pol} = \mathbf{P} \cdot \mathbf{\hat{n}}
where \hat{n} is the normal vector to the sphere.
Now comes the part I don't understand. They suppose, since the sphere is rotating, there is an effective surface current with density :
\mathbf{K}_M = \sigma_{pol}(\mathbf{x}) . \mathbf{v}(\mathbf{x})
I don't understand why we may suppose the existence of such surface current since, as I see the situation, the surface charge density stay constant because we assumed the polarization was the same as if the sphere didn't rotate...

I hope I was clear :)

Thank you in advance !
 
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This problem probably makes more sense after Problem 6.7. Refer to Section 6.6, especially equation (6.100). Jackson derives the non-relativistic expression relating polarization, magnetization, and external fields.

The online solution you found does this problem in a confusing, non-rigorous way. It looks like the correct way uses (6.100). Note that many of the solutions on that web page are incorrect, or at least confusing. They were written up by students, and it often seems like the students who wrote them didn't really know what they were doing.
 
That is a general frustration students (especially myself) have from Jackson: even though the professor only assigns a handful of problems, and realistically you don't even have time to do those properly, the techniques are built up from previous problems; he doesn't do a very good job guiding the student who only does a selection of problems. The same with Arfken.
 

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