2.I.6G

Electromagnetism
Part IB, 2006

Given that the electric field E\mathbf{E} and the current density j\mathbf{j} within a conducting medium of uniform conductivity σ\sigma are related by j=σEj=\sigma \mathbf{E}, use Maxwell's equations to show that the charge density ρ\rho in the medium obeys the equation

ρt=σϵ0ρ.\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}=-\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_{0}} \rho .

An infinitely long conducting cylinder of uniform conductivity σ\sigma is set up with a uniform electric charge density ρ0\rho_{0} throughout its interior. The region outside the cylinder is a vacuum. Obtain ρ\rho within the cylinder at subsequent times and hence obtain E\mathbf{E} and j\mathbf{j} within the cylinder as functions of time and radius. Calculate the value of E\mathbf{E} outside the cylinder.