Solving Poyntings Vector for a point charge

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the Poynting vector for a point charge, specifically the expression P = ExH = (μ₀q²a²sin²(θ)/6π²cr²)r. The total power radiated is calculated using the integral (μ₀q²a²/6πc)∫(sin²(θ)/r²)(2πr²sin(θ)dθ). The term (2πr²sin(θ)dθ) arises from converting the volume integral from Cartesian to spherical coordinates, which is essential for calculating the power over the entire volume rather than a single component.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Poynting's theorem in electromagnetism
  • Familiarity with spherical coordinate systems
  • Knowledge of vector calculus and surface integrals
  • Basic concepts of electromagnetic radiation
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  • Learn about spherical coordinate transformations in vector calculus
  • Explore the implications of electromagnetic radiation in classical physics
  • Investigate the applications of the Poynting vector in real-world scenarios
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, electrical engineers, and anyone studying the behavior of electromagnetic fields around point charges.

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Homework Statement



It is found that Poyntings vector gives

P = ExH = (mu0q2a2sin2(theta)/6pi2cr2)r

This apparently leads to

Total Power = (mu0q2a2/6pi2c)[tex]\int[/tex](sin2(theta)/r2)(2pir2sin(theta)d[tex]\theta[/tex])

What I am unsure of is where the

(2pir2sin(theta)d[tex]\theta[/tex])

appears from. Can anyone help?
 
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[strike]The power is over the whole of the volume, and not just one component of the volume.[/strike] When you are coming from Cartesian coordinates to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_coordinate_system#Cartesian_coordinates", we find

[tex] \int dV=\int_{-\infty}^\infty dx\int_{-\infty}^\infty dy\int_{-\infty}^\infty dz=\int_0^\infty r^2dr\int_0^\pi \sin\theta \,d\theta\int_0^{2\pi} d\phi[/tex]
 
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jdwood983 said:
The power is over the whole of the volume[/color], and not just one component of the volume.

Errr... not quite...Poynting's theorem tells us that the power crossing a surface [itex]\mathcal{S}[/itex] is given by

[tex]P(\textbf{r})=\int_{\mathcal{S}}\textbf{S}\cdot d\textbf{a}[/tex]

(using [itex]\textbf{S}[/itex] to represent the Poynting vector and [itex]d\textbf{a}[/itex] to represent the infinitesimal vector area element of the surface)

To find the power radiated, one usually uses a spherical surface of radius [itex]r[/itex] (so that [itex]d\textbf{a}=r^2\sin\theta d\theta d\phi\mathbf{\hat{r}}[/tex])) and then takes the limit as [itex]r\to\infty[/itex] (since radiation escapes to infinity).[/itex]
 

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