AMPERES CIRCUITAL LAW

6.1

AMPERES CIRCUITAL LAW

Andre Marie Ampere

Amperes circuital law states that the line integral of H about any closed path is
exactly equal to the direct current enclosed by that path

H dL

Consider an infinitely long filament carrying a current I. The filament lies on the Z axis
and the current flows in the direction given by a z . There is no variation of H with Z or
axis. From Biot-Savart law, the direction of dH is perpendicular to the plane
containing dL and R and thereafter is in the direction of a .
Hence the only component of H is H and it is a function of only r.
i.e. the path of H is that along which H is constant and Lar or tangential.

H r

H dL

6.2

Hrd

0
2

H 2r

I
2r

MAGNETIC FLUX m AND MAGNETIC FLUX DENSITY B

Magnetic flux density B can be described as force per current moment or magnetic flux
per unit area

m
A

(T)

Figure 6.1
The total magnetic flux passing through any designated area

B dS

(wb)

i.e. when B is not uniform over an area.

magnetic flux through the areas, (wb)

1

In free space

o H

o
permeability of free space = 4 10-7H/m
If we attempt to apply Gaurs law to magnetic fields, for electrostatics,

D dS

i.e. lines of electric flux begin and terminate on positive and negative charge
respectively.
But no magnetic charge exists in real sense.
Let us consider the magnetic flux around a long straight filament carrying a dc current I,
the H field curls about the filament and so B since B o H

B dS
s

i.e. if B is estimated at a closed surface round the wire, it gives zero

B dS
s

integral form of Gars law for magnetic field

Applying the divergence theorem

B 0
point or differential form of Gaurs law
This is referred to as Maxwells equation from Gaurs law for magnetic fields.

6.3

THE SOLENOID

Let us consider a solenoid (Helical coil) of N turns of fire wire carrying current I. The
coil has a length l and radius R. The spacing between the turns of wire is small compared
with the radius R of the coil. If the wire has a width of
and with negligible spacing
N
between turns (two necessary conditions). The current in the coil produces a cylindrical
NI
current sheet with a linear current density K
( Am 1 ) . Therefore, the total

current is NI i.e. Kl Consider a section of the coil of length dx as a single turn loop
NI
with a current Kdx
dx .

The flux density dB at the centre of the solenoid due to this loop of length dx at a
distance x from the centre is dB

NIR 2

2 R 2 x 2

dx
2

The total flux density

B

NIR 2
2

dx

12

12

x2

Figure 6.2

NI

4R 2 2

If R i.e. length is greater than the radius

NI
B

K
To find the flux density at one end of the coil,
B

NIR 2
0 2l

dx

x2

NI
2 R2 l2

NI
2l
1 K
2
K - Sheet current density (Am-1)
When l R, B

6.4

THE TOROID

If a long solenoid is bent into a circle, closed on itself, a toroid is obtained. If a is the
radius of the solenoid and R is the radius of the toroid formed.
At a point
r = R - a
Ra
(inside the toroid)
B K
r
Ra
Or
H K
r
Outside the toroid B = H = 0
For the N turn toroid
NI
(inside the toroid)
B
2r
NI
H
2r
H = 0

6.5

CURRENT AND CURRENT DENSITY

Current can be defined as the motion of positive charges i.e. Electric charges in motion
constitute a current. The unit of current is Ampere (A) and it is described as a rate of
movement of charge passing a given reference point (or crossing a given reference plane)
of one coulomb per second.
The increment of current I crossing an incremental surface S normal to the current
density is
I J n S
I

Or

(when J is not ar to the surface)

J S

total current I

J dS

It can also be shown that electric charge in motion constitutes a current called convection
current. If u is the velocity of movement of the charges
J
J

convection current density

The principle of conservation of charge states that charges can be neither created nor
destroyed, although equal amounts of positive and negative charge may be
simultaneously created, obtained by separation, destroyed or lost by recombination.
In a region bounded by a close surface

J dS

However, the outward flow of the charge (current) must be balanced by a decrease of
positive charge or increase of ve charge within the closed surface.
dQi
If the charge enclosed is Qi, then the rate of decrease is
. From principle of
dt
conservation of charge.
dQi
I J dS
s
dt
Apply divergence theorem to the L. H. S

J dS

And Q

J dv
v

dv

J dv d dt dv
J dv d dv
dt

J dv t dv
v

For incremental volume

.J V
J

V
t

This is the point form of the continuity equation. Physical interpretation of this the
current or charge per second diverging from a small volume per unit volume is equal to
the time rate of decrease of charge per unit volume at that point.

6.6

CONDUCTION CURRENT

For metallic conductors, conduction current J is defined as

J
-

conductivity (v/m)