What Are the E and B Fields Inside a Capacitor Within a Solenoid?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a large solenoid aligned with the z-axis that contains a parallel plate capacitor. The magnetic field inside the solenoid is uniform, and the capacitor plates have specified surface charge densities. Participants are tasked with determining the electric and magnetic fields within the capacitor and understanding the interaction between the solenoid and the capacitor.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express confusion about deriving expressions for the electric and magnetic fields inside the capacitor. There are questions regarding standard field configurations and how the solenoid influences these fields. Some participants seek clarification on the relationship between the solenoid and the capacitor's fields.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their struggles and seeking guidance on the problem. Some have suggested looking into standard topics in electromagnetics, while others emphasize the need to deduce the fields based on known principles rather than relying solely on textbooks.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of their textbook and the lack of discussion regarding capacitors embedded in solenoids. There is an acknowledgment of the need to explore how the solenoid's magnetic field might affect the electric field within the capacitor and vice versa.

cool4u224
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Consider a large solenoid aligned with the z-axis with a uniform magnetic field inside given by Bo = Boz[hat]. Contained WITHIN the solenoid is a very large parallel plate capacitor and the plates (one at the x=0 plane and the other at the x = d plane) have surface charge densities of +σo (plate at x=0) and -σo (plate at x=d). Assume that the fields well within the capacitor are uniform.

A) Sketch the fields inside the capacitor. That is, show E and B. Given that the solenoid have no loops per unite length, what current, I0, must be run through he solenoid to produce the magnetic field strength of Bo?

Homework Equations



For a solenoid B = 0 outside and B = μonI inside


The Attempt at a Solution



I am having trouble getting expressions for the E and B fields inside the capacitor. If I can get a little bit of help on this I think I can answer the rest of the questions pertaining to this problem.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
cool4u224 said:

Homework Statement



Consider a large solenoid aligned with the z-axis with a uniform magnetic field inside given by Bo = Boz[hat]. Contained WITHIN the solenoid is a very large parallel plate capacitor and the plates (one at the x=0 plane and the other at the x = d plane) have surface charge densities of +σo (plate at x=0) and -σo (plate at x=d). Assume that the fields well within the capacitor are uniform.

A) Sketch the fields inside the capacitor. That is, show E and B. Given that the solenoid have no loops per unite length, what current, I0, must be run through he solenoid to produce the magnetic field strength of Bo?

Homework Equations



For a solenoid B = 0 outside and B = μonI inside


The Attempt at a Solution



I am having trouble getting expressions for the E and B fields inside the capacitor. If I can get a little bit of help on this I think I can answer the rest of the questions pertaining to this problem.
Where exactly are you getting stuck?
 
I am just confused on where to start. Are their just standard E and B fields within the capacitor? The book we are using is very narrow and has little usage outside of the examples and problems they assign. in this problem I have to go on to find the energy densities of E and B-fields in terms of σo and Io.
 
The parallel-plate capacitor is a standard topic in introductory electromagnetics, so I'm sure your book covers it. You can check other books as well if you don't like yours. Or try googling "parallel plate capacitor".
 
I realize that the Parallel plate capacitor is a standard topic, but where do they ever discuss one embedded in a solenoid? That is where I am getting caught up. How does, if it does at all, the solenoid affect the E and B fields within the capacitor. Likewise, how does the Capacitor affect the E and B fields withing the Solenoid but outside the Capacitor? Once I figure out an expression for the E and the B fields I think I can get the rest. I am just struggling with that part.
Thanks.
 
Books aren't going to discuss every possible configuration. That would be impossible. You need to take what you know about electric and magnetic fields and deduce what E and B should be in this situation. Where do electric fields come from? Magnetic fields?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K