CO15-Theoretical Foundations of Physics

Analytical Mechanics and Electrodynamics

Fall Semester 2016, Peter Schupp
Problem set 12, due Friday, December 2

This whole problem sheet is devoted to energy flux mediated by electromagnetic fields.

27. Poynting theorem [4 points]

Prove Poyntings theorem in a linear medium with time-independent  and :

~ +S
~j E ~ + u = 0 ,
t
 
where S~=E ~ H ~ is the energy flux and u = 1 E ~ D~ +B~ H
~ is the energy density.
2
Hint: This is just a slight generalization of what we did in class: Start with ~j E~ and use Maxwells
~ ~ ~
fourth equation to express j in terms of H and D. Then use the vector calculus identity ( A) ~ B
~ =
~ ~ ~ ~
(A B) + ( B) A (why is this true?).

28. Power transmission in a coaxial cable [4 points]

Consider a straight coaxial cable with concentric cylindrical conductors with radii R1 < R2 and a constant
potential difference V between these conductors. The inner conductor carries a constant current I to some
electrical load. The same current flows back in the outer conductor. In this problem we shall compare
the energy flux in the cable to the delivered power. It turns out that we do not need to know any details
about the medium in the space between the conductors except that it is an electrical insulator.
~
(a) Compute the H-field in the region between the conductors as a function of I and the radial distance r
from the center of the cable.
(b) Determine the total energy flux through a surface perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the con-
ductor in terms of V and I, i.e. compute the area integral

ZR2
S(r) 2r dr ,
R1

where S(r) is the component of the Poynting vector along the symmetry axis as a function of r.
Compare your result with the electric power delivered by the cable.
Hint: The potential difference V is equal to a line integral over the electric field.

29. Energy flux into a resistor [5 points]

Consider a solid cylindrical conductor with finite conductivity and a constant homogeneous electric
~ along its symmetry axis. The electric field outside the conductor is zero.
field E
~
(a) Determine the H-field ~ inside the conductor (magnitude and direction). Use
and Poynting vector S
cylindrical coordinates and the corresponding unit vectors to express your result.
Hint: The microscopic version of Ohms law yields the current density.
~ into the conductor to the dissipated energy density ~j E,
(b) Compare the field energy flux density S ~
i.e. check Poyntings theorem.