Paper 3, Section II, D

Electrodynamics
Part II, 2017

By considering the force per unit volume f=ρE+J×B\mathbf{f}=\rho \mathbf{E}+\mathbf{J} \times \mathbf{B} on a charge density ρ\rho and current density J\mathbf{J} due to an electric field E\mathbf{E} and magnetic field B\mathbf{B}, show that

git+σijxj=fi\frac{\partial g_{i}}{\partial t}+\frac{\partial \sigma_{i j}}{\partial x_{j}}=-f_{i}

where g=ϵ0E×B\mathbf{g}=\epsilon_{0} \mathbf{E} \times \mathbf{B} and the symmetric tensor σij\sigma_{i j} should be specified.

Give the physical interpretation of g\mathbf{g} and σij\sigma_{i j} and explain how σij\sigma_{i j} can be used to calculate the net electromagnetic force exerted on the charges and currents within some region of space in static situations.

The plane x=0x=0 carries a uniform charge σ\sigma per unit area and a current KK per unit length along the zz-direction. The plane x=dx=d carries the opposite charge and current. Show that between these planes

σij=σ22ϵ0(100010001)+μ0K22(100010001)\sigma_{i j}=\frac{\sigma^{2}}{2 \epsilon_{0}}\left(\begin{array}{ccc} -1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}\right)+\frac{\mu_{0} K^{2}}{2}\left(\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}\right)

and σij=0\sigma_{i j}=0 for x<0x<0 and x>dx>d.

Use ()(*) to find the electromagnetic force per unit area exerted on the charges and currents in the x=0x=0 plane. Show that your result agrees with direct calculation of the force per unit area based on the Lorentz force law.

If the current KK is due to the motion of the charge σ\sigma with speed vv, is it possible for the force between the planes to be repulsive?