Paper 3, Section II, C

Electrodynamics
Part II, 2011

Explain how time-dependent distributions of electric charge ρ(x,t)\rho(\mathbf{x}, t) and current j(x,t)\mathbf{j}(\mathbf{x}, t) can be combined into a four-vector ja(x)j^{a}(x) that obeys aja=0\partial_{a} j^{a}=0.

This current generates a four-vector potential Aa(x)A^{a}(x). Explain how to find AaA^{a} in the gauge aAa=0\partial_{a} A^{a}=0.

A small circular loop of wire of radius rr is centred at the origin. The unit vector normal to the plane of the loop is n\mathbf{n}. A current IosinωtI_{o} \sin \omega t flows in the loop. Find the three-vector potential A(x,t)\mathbf{A}(\mathbf{x}, t) to leading order in r/xr /|\mathbf{x}|.