PHYS270 Written Homework #1 Due in recitation week of Feb.

11

Currents that change in time tend to flow on the surface of conductors rather than
uniformly throughout the conductor. Consider the solid cylindrical conductor of radius a
below that is carrying a total current I. Assume that the current flows uniformly in an
annular layer of thickness .

1. Find expressions for the magnetic flux density B(r) as a function of r, the distance
from the axis of the conductor, in each of the three regions r<a-, a-<r<a, and a<r.

2. Make a sketch of a plot of the magnitude of the field versus r.

I
a
3. Two long parallel wires carry equal currents I in opposite directions parallel to the z
axis. The loops are centered at ( x = 0, y = a ). The current at +a is out of the page, -a
into the page.
A) Sketch the magnetic field lines produced by the two currents.
B) What is the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field at x = 0, y = 0 ?
C) What is the magnitude and direction of the field at x = a, y = 0 ?

D) What is the value (including sign) of dS around the dashed loop in the direction
B
shown?

.
a

a
x