The Maxwell stress tensor σ of the electromagnetic fields is a two-index Cartesian tensor with components
σij=−ϵ0(EiEj−21∣E∣2δij)−μ01(BiBj−21∣B∣2δij)
where i,j=1,2,3, and Ei and Bi denote the Cartesian components of the electric and magnetic fields E(x,t) and B(x,t) respectively.
(i) Consider an electromagnetic field sourced by charge and current densities denoted by ρ(x,t) and J(x,t) respectively. Using Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz force law, show that the components of σ obey the equation
j=1∑3∂xj∂σij+∂t∂gi=−(ρE+J×B)i
where gi, for i=1,2,3, are the components of a vector field g(x,t) which you should give explicitly in terms of E and B. Explain the physical interpretation of this equation and of the quantities σ and g.
(ii) A localised source near the origin, x=0, emits electromagnetic radiation. Far from the source, the resulting electric and magnetic fields can be approximated as
B(x,t)≃B0(x)sin(ωt−k⋅x),E(x,t)≃E0(x)sin(ωt−k⋅x)
where B0(x)=4πrcμ0ω2x^×p0 and E0(x)=−cx^×B0(x) with r=∣x∣ and x^=x/r. Here, k=(ω/c)x^ and p0 is a constant vector.
Calculate the pressure exerted by these fields on a spherical shell of very large radius R centred on the origin. [You may assume that E and B vanish for r>R and that the shell material is absorbant, i.e. no reflected wave is generated.]