PHY-841: CLASSICAL ELECTRODYNAMICS I

Homework 9 SOLUTIONS
1. The dierential equation of motion for the needle can be written using
the angle between the needle direction and the magnetic eld as a
dynamical variable,
J
d
2

dt
2
= T (1)
where T = [

M B] is the torque acting on the magnetic moment of
the needle and returning it to the equilibrium orientation. The angle
is small near the equilibrium when the needle is aligned along the
z-axis ( = 0). In the given geometry,
T = T
y
= M
x
B = Msin B MB. (2)
Therefore the elastic constant is k = MB, the frequency of small vi-
brations is =
_
MB/J, and the period is
t
0
= 2

J
MB
. (3)
2. The charge density is an odd function of z (coordinate normal to the
plate). It is seen from this symmetry that the potential also will be
an odd function of z. With our experience from the problem on the
periodically charged plane (Problem 2, Homework 3), we look for the
solution in separated variables,
(x, y, z) = X(x)Y (y)Z(z) (4)
where Z(z) = Z(z). Moreover, the same experience tells us that
the functions X and Y should be the same as in the charge density
because otherwise we are not able to satisfy the boundary conditions
for the normal component of the electric eld. Thus,
(x, y, z) = Z(z) sin(k
1
x) sin(k
2
y). (5)
Outside the plate, we have the Laplace equation
2
= 0 which gives
d
2
Z
dz
2

2
Z = 0, =
_
k
2
1
+ k
2
2
, |z| > a. (6)
1
Inside the plate, the Poisson equation
2
= 4 reduces to the
nonhomogeneous equation for the odd function Z(z),
d
2
Z
dz
2

2
Z = 4
0
sin(k
3
z), |z| < a. (7)
In the upper part of space, z > a, we have to take the decreasing at
z exponential solution of (6); its odd mirror reection into the
lower part should exponentially decrease at z (the potential at
innity can be taken as zero because the total charge of the plane is
equal to zero). Thus, the solutions at |z| > a look like
Z(z) = Ae
z
, z a, (8)
and
Z(z) = Ae
z
, z a. (9)
The inner solution (7) is given by the sum of the particular solution of
the inhomogeneous equation, Z
1
(z), and the general solution of the ho-
mogeneous equation, Z
2
(z). The form of the particular solution repeats
the charge density, Z
1
sin(k
3
z). Determining the constant factor of
proportionality from the equation, we obtain
Z
2
(z) =
0
sin(k
3
z),
0
=
4
0
k
2
, k
2
= k
2
3
+
2
= k
2
1
+k
2
2
+k
2
3
. (10)
The general solution of the homogeneous equation has to be an odd
function combined of the exponents,
Z
2
(z) = B(e
z
e
z
) = 2B sinh(z).. (11)
We have two unknown coecients A and B which are to be determined
by the continuity of the potential and its normal (z) derivative at z =
a (there is no surface charge density so that E
z
should be continuous).
After simple algebra we nd
A =
0
_
e
a
sin(k
3
a) sinh(a)
_
sin(k
3
a) +
k
3

cos(k
3
a)
__
, (12)
B =

0
2
_
sin(k
3
a) +
k
3

cos(k
3
a)
_
e
a
. (13)
2
3. The vector potential A(P) in an arbitrary point P is given by the
Biot-Savart law,
A(P) =
I
c
_
dl
R
, (14)
where R is the distance from the linear current element dl to the ob-
servation point P. For a straight wire stretching from l to +l along
the z-axis, we have
A = A
z
=
I
c
_
l
l
d
_
r
2
+ (z )
2
=
I
c
_
zl
z+l
du

u
2
+ r
2
(15)
where z and r are the cylindrical coordinates of the point P while
denotes a running coordinate of the current line and u = z . A
simple integration leads to
A =
I
c
ln
z + l +
_
r
2
+ (z + l)
2
z l +
_
r
2
+ (z l)
2
. (16)
For a very long wire, l z and l r, this reduces to
A =
2I
c
ln
r
2l
. (17)
The only nonzero magnetic eld component is the azimuthal one,
B = B

(z, r) =
A
z
r
. (18)
The result coincides with that found earlier,
B =
I
cr
_
_
_
l z
_
r
2
+ (z l)
2
+
l + z
_
r
2
+ (l + z)
2
_
_
_
. (19)
For a very long line (l r, z), eq. (17), we get again B = (2I/cr).
The basic result (19) is to be used for all subsequent problems.
4. Let x(t) be a vertical distance between the instant position of the rod
and the resistance R so that dx/dt = v. For deniteness we assume
that the rod is approaching the end element so the area of the loop
3
between them is decreasing along with the magnetic ux through this
area,
(t) = Blx(t). (20)
The decrease of the magnetic ux implies the e.m.f. in the loop abR,
(e.m.f.) =
1
c
d
dt
=
v
c
Bl. (21)
The magnetic force acting on the falling rod is
F =
I
c
_
b
a
[dl B] (22)
where the induced current I = (e.m.f.)/R. This force is directed up
(opposite to the motion of the falling rod) and its magnitude equals
F =
I
c
Bl =
B
2
l
2
c
2
R
v. (23)
Recalling the gravitational force mg, we obtain the equation of motion
m
dv
dt
= mg
B
2
l
2
c
2
R
v. (24)
The solution with the zero initial velocity is given by
v(t) =
c
2
R
B
2
l
2
mg
_
1 e
(B
2
l
2
/mc
2
R)t)
_
. (25)
The rod comes to uniform motion with the terminal velocity mgc
2
R/B
2
l
2
.
5. The equilibrium conguration is determined by the balance of the
torques due to the magnetic force and due to the gravity. The force
acting on a linear current I in the magnetic eld B is
F =
1
c
_
dV [j B] =
I
c
_
[dl B]. (26)
The forces acting on the parts AB and CD of the wire compensate each
other. The force acting on the horizontal part BC is perpendicular to
4
the magnetic eld and to the piece BC (up from the plane of the wire).
Its magnitude is
F =
I
c
bB. (27)
This force creates the rotating torque T = [r F] where the distance
of the piece BC to the rotation axis is r = b. Therefore the magnitude
of the torque is T = bF sin where is the angle between r and
the force F for the rotating square. It is convenient to use the angle
= (/2) between the plane of the wire and the vertical axis of
the magnetic eld. Then
T = bF cos =
I
c
b
2
B cos . (28)
(It is clear that at the horizontal position of the contour, = /2, the
force F does not create the torque). In the equilibrium position, the
torque (28) of the Lorentz force is balanced by that of the weight. The
weight can be considered as applied to the center of mass. This point
is located inside the square, on the middle line parallel to the sides of
the square, and its distance from the axis OO is equal to (2/3)b. The
torque of the weight Mg is
T

=
2
3
bMg sin ; (29)
it disappears at the vertical position of the contour, = 0. The total
mass of the wire is
M = 3(a
2
b)
m
. (30)
The equilibrium condition T

= T determines
tan =
IB
2ca
2

m
g
(31)
The result does not depend on the length b (geometrical similarity).
5