Static magnetic field from time-varying electric field

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between time-varying electric fields and static magnetic fields, specifically referencing Ampère's law and Maxwell's equations. It is established that a time-varying electric field does not necessarily produce a time-varying magnetic field; rather, it can result in a static magnetic field under certain conditions. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the curl equations in Maxwell's framework, particularly in linear, homogeneous media with zero impressed currents. Examples provided illustrate scenarios where a static magnetic field can coexist with a time-varying electric field.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations
  • Familiarity with Ampère's law
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic field theory
  • Concept of curl in vector calculus
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  • Study the implications of Ampère's law in static and dynamic fields
  • Explore examples of time-varying electric fields and their effects on magnetic fields
  • Learn about the conditions for static magnetic fields in the context of time-varying electric fields
  • Investigate sinusoidal time-varying fields and their interactions as described by Maxwell's equations
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EmilyRuck
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Hello!
In this thread, in this answer, my statement "A time-varying electric field creates a magnetic field which is time-varying itself" was refuted.

ZapperZ said:
Actually, this is not correct.

From Ampere's law, the curl of B is proportional to the time rate of change of E (and current density if there's one). But this curl of B need not have a time varying solution as well. It can easily be a magnetostatic field.

Zz.

Because I never observed this before, I would like to discuss about it. As far as I know, Maxwell's equations are valid always together, that is contemporary. Suppose that impressed currents are 0 and that we are in a linear, homogeneous medium. So, yes, Ampère's law does not cause a variation for the magnetic field

\nabla \times \mathbf{H} = \epsilon \displaystyle \frac{\partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t}

but the co-existence of this equation with

\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = - \mu \displaystyle \frac{\partial \mathbf{H}}{\partial t}

implies that, when one field (the electric one or the magnetic one) varies with time, it will create the other, varying with time too.
If it is incorrect, could you give me a more clear explanation? And could you give an example of a time-varying electric field which creates a static magnetic field?
Thank you anyway,

Emily
 
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##
\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = 0## does not always imply that ##\mathbf{E}=0##.
 
Consider the field induced from ##E=(kt,0,0)##
 
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Consider ##\mathbf{E} = A_0t\hat{x}## and ##\mathbf{H} = \epsilon A_0 (z\hat{y} + 2y\hat{z})##, it should satisfy the two Maxwell equations with the curl.
 
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Thank you both. Your examples provide a static magnetic field.
The requirements seem to be (observing \nabla \times \mathbf{H} = \epsilon \partial \mathbf{E} / \partial t):
- a constant \partial \mathbf{E} / \partial t and so a linear time-dependency for the \mathbf{E} components.
But this will imply (observing \nabla \times \mathbf{E} = - \mu \partial \mathbf{H} / \partial t = 0):
- a field \mathbf{E} which is still conservative.
Are these necessary and sufficient conditions for having a static magnetic field with a time-varying electric field?

Another important case is the sinusoidal one. But I think the above requirements could never be satisfied with that time-variation. At least in this case, a (sinusoidal) time-varying electric-field always produces a (sinusoidal) time-varying magnetic field and vice-versa.
Is it right or are there some other exceptions?
 

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