EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST.

PROFESSOR

ENGINEERING ELECTROMAGNETICS [17EC36]

B.E., III Semester, Electronics & Communication Engineering/
Telecommunication Engineering (VTU)
[As per Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) scheme]

Module-4
Magnetic Forces

Force on a moving charge, differential current elements, Force between differential current elements.

Magnetic Materials

Magnetisation and permeability, Magnetic boundary conditions, Magnetic circuit, Potential Energy
and forces on magnetic materials.

Text Books:
1. W.H. Hayt and J.A. Buck, “Engineering Electromagnetics”, 7th Edition, Tata
McGraw-Hill, 2009, ISBN-978-0-07-061223-5.

Reference Books:
1. Ian John Krauss and Daniel A Fleisch, “ Electromagnetics with applications”, Mc Graw Hill.
2. N. Narayana Rao, “Fundamentals of Electromagnetics for Engineering”, Pearson.

PREPARED BY:

RAVITEJA BALEKAI
Asst Professor
ECE Dept, GMIT
Davangere 577006
Cell: +919739223504

Mail: ravitejj10@gmail.com , ravitejb@gmit.ac.in

Website: https://ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

MAGNETIC FORCES
In this module we will study the magnetic forces, the magnetization along with the concept of
permeability and the boundary conditions for the magnetostatic fields.

Force on a moving point charge

The electric force Fe, on a stationary or moving electric charge Q in an electric field is given by Coulomb's
experimental law and is related to the electric field intensity E as

Fe = QE - - - - - - - - - (1)
This shows that if Q is Positive, Fe and E have the same direction.
A magnetic field can exert force only on a moving charge. From experiments, it is found that the
magnetic force Fm experienced by a charge Q moving with a velocity v in a magnetic field B is
Fm = Q v x B- - - - - - - - - (2)
This clearly shows that Fm is perpendicular to both v and B.
Fm

ɵ
V
From eqs. (1) and (2), a comparison between the electric force Fe and the magnetic force Fm can be made.
Fe is independent of the velocity of the charge and can perform work on the charge. Unlike Fe, Fm depends
on the charge velocity and is normal to it. Fm cannot perform work because it is at right angles to the
direction of motion of the charge (Fm.dl = 0).
For a moving charge Q in the presence of both electric and magnetic fields, the total force on the charge is
given by
F = Fe + Fm
F = QE + Q v x B
= Q (E + v x B) - - - - - - - - - (3)

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

Example
1. A point charge of Q= -1.2C has velocity v= 5ax + 2ay-3azm/s. Find the magnitude of the force
exerted on the charge if, a) E= -18ax + 5ay-10azv/m b) B= -4ax+4ay +3azT c) both are
present simultaneously.
a) The electric force exerted by E on charge Q is given by
Fe = QE = -1.2 (-18ax + 5ay-10az) = 21.6 ax – 6 ay + 12 az N
Thus the magnitude of the force is given by

= = 21.42 N

b) The magnetic force exerted by B on charge Q is given by

Fm = Q v x B = -1.2 [(5ax + 2ay-3az) X (-4ax+4ay +3az)]

= 1.2 = -21.6 ax +3.6 ay -33.6 az N

= = 40.1N

c) The total force exerted by both electric and magnetic fields on a charge is given by

F = Fe + Fm = 21.6 ax – 6 ay + 12 az -21.6 ax +3.6 ay -33.6 az = -2.4 ay -21.6 az

= = 21.73 N

Force on a differential current element

The force exerted on a differential current element of charge dQ moving in a steady magnetic field is
given by,
dF = dQ v x B - - - - - - - - - (1)
The current density J can be expressed interms of velocity of a volume charge density as,
J= v - - - - - - - - - (2)
But the differential element of charge can be expressed in terms of the volume charge density as,
dQ = dv - - - - - - - - - (3)
Substituting dQ value in eqn (1),
dF = dv v x B
Expressing dF interms of J using eqn(2),we can write,

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

dF = J x B dv - - - - - - - - - (4)
But the relationship between current element as,
J dv = K dS = I dL
Then the force exerted on a surface current element density is given by,
dF = K x B dS - - - - - - - - - (5)
Similarly the force exerted on a differential current element is given by,

dF = ( I dL x B ) - - - - - - - - -(6)
Integrating eqn (4) over a volume, the force is given by,

F= - - - - - - - - - (7)
Integrating eqn (4) over open or closed surface, the force is given by,
F= - - - - - - - - - (8)
Similarly integrating eqn (6) over a closed path, we get
F= - - - - - - - - - (9)
Example
1. A conductor 6 m long, lies along z-direction with a current of 2 A in direction. Find the
force experienced by conductor if = 0.08 T.
The force exerted on current carrying conductor in a magnetic material field is given by
F = I dL x B
F = 2 (6 ) x (0.08 ) = 0.96 N

Force between differential current element

Consider two current carrying conductors are placed parallel to each other. Each of this conductor
produces its own flux around it. So when such two conductors are placed closed to each other, there exists
force due to the interaction of two fluxes. The force between such parallel current carrying conductors
depends on the directions of the two currents. If the directions of both the currents are same, then the
conductors experience a force of attraction as shown in figure. And if the directions of two currents are
opposite to each other, then the conductors experience a force of repulsion as shown in figure.
Let us now consider two current elements I1dL1 and I2 dL2 as shown in the figure. Note that the
directions of I1 and I2 are same. Both the current elements produce their own magnetic fields. As the

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

Fig. 1 Force between two parallel current carrying conductors

I1dL1 I2dL2
R21

I1 I2

Fig. 2 Force between two current elements

currents flowing in the same direction through the elements, the force d(dF1) exerted on element I1dL1 due
to the magnetic field dB2 produced by other element I2 dL2 is the force of attraction.
From the equation of force , the force exerted on a differential current element is given by,
d(dF1) = (I1dL1 x dB2 ) - - - - - - - - - (1)
According to Biot-Savart’s law, the magnetic field produced by current element I2 dL2 is given by, for
free space,

dB2 = µ0 dH2 = µ0 - - - - - - - - - (2)

Substituting the value of dB2 in eqn(1), we can write

d(dF1) = µ0 I1dL1 x - - - - - - - - - (3)

The equation (3) represents the force between two current elements. It is very much similar to Coulomb’s
law. By integrating d(dF1) twice, the total force F1 on current element 1 due to current element 2 is given
by,

F1 = - - - - - - - - - (4)

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

Exactly following same steps, we can calculate the force F2 exerted on the current element 2 due to the
magnetic field B1 produced by current element 1 . Thus,

F2 = - - - - - - - - - (5)

Example

1. A current element I1 ΔL1=10-5az A.m is located at (1,0,0) while a second element , I2 ΔL2=10-5
(0.6ax-2ay+3az) A.m is located at (-1,0,0) both in free space. Find force exerted on I2 ΔL2 by I1
ΔL1 .

F2 = I2 ΔL2 x dB1 μ = µ0 µ r

dB1 = μ dH1 = µ0

= -2ax = - ax

dH1 = =- A/m

dB1 = μ dH1 = µ0 ( - ) = -0.25 x 10-12 ay T

Now force exerted on I2 ΔL2 by I1 ΔL1,

F2 = I2 ΔL2 x dB1 = 10-5 (0.6ax-2ay+3az) X (-0.25 x 10-12 ay )
F2 = ( 7.5 ax – 1.5 az ) 10-18 N

Force between two Straight, Long and Parallel conductors carrying currents

Fig. 3 Force between two Straight, Long and Parallel conductors carrying currents

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

Consider two parallel long straight conductors of length ‘L’ each carrying currents I1 and I2 as
shown in figure. Let ‘d’ be the distance of separation between the two conductors

F= N

Example

1. Two identical circular loops of conductor of 1m loop diameter, each carrying 100A current
placed closed to each other. Find the approximate force between two loops.(Assume d=0.1m)

Diameter of the identical loop = 1 m = 100 A

Hence radius = r =0.5 m
Length of identical loops = L = Circumference of a circular loop
= 2πr = π m

F= = = 0.06283 N

Magnetization and Permeability

In any magnetic material, the electrons revolve in the orbits around the positive central nucleus.
Simultaneously the electrons also rotate or spin about their own axes. The movement of the orbital
electrons, electron spin and nuclear spin produce internal magnetic field. The current produced by the
bound charges (orbital electrons, electron spin, nuclear spin) is called bound current (Ib). The bound
charges are charges which are bound to nucleus (The current by free charges is called free current). The
field produced due to movement of bound charges is called magnetization represented by M.

Nucleus
+ Electron

Electron

Fig. 4 Electron revolving in circular path and also rotating about its own axis
Let the bound current Ib flows through a closed path. Assume that this closed path encloses a
differential area dS. Then the magnetic dipole moment is given by
m = Ib dS - - - - - - - - - (1)

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

Now consider a differential volume ΔV. Assume that there are n magnetic dipoles per unit volume.
The total magnetic dipole moment can be obtained summing all the individual magnetic dipole moment of
each magnetic dipole.
mtotal = - - - - - - - - - (2)
The magnetization is defined as the magnetic dipole moment per unit volume. Its unit is A/m .

M= - - - - - - - - - (3)

External magnetic field B

Differential
Volume ΔV

Fig. 5 Magnetic dipole moment in differential volume ΔV

Let us consider alignment of a magnetic dipole along a closed path as shown in the figure. It is clear
that the magnetic moment m makes angle with the element of the close path dL. The magnetic dipole
moment is perpendicular to the surface area dS. To obtain magnetic moment making angle with dL, it is
necessary to consider differential volume defined by differential surface area dS and component of dL in
the direction of magnetic moment (dS dL cos = dS . dL (Dot product)). But in this volume there are
n dS. dL total magnetic moments. Under the external magnetic field, random orientation changes to partial
alignment of the magnetic moments. To achieve this the bound current increase by Ib for each magnetic
dipole. Hence we can write,
dIb = nIb dS.dL = M. dL - - - - - - - - - (4)
The total increase in current can be obtaine by integrating eqn (4) over a closed path
Ib = - - - - - - - - - (5)
The total current is the sum of bound current and free current.
IT = Ib + I

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

= - - - - - - - - - (6)

IT =

I = IT - Ib = - = - - - - - - - - - (7)

Compare this equation with the expression of Ampere’s circuital law given by,
I=

H=

B= - - - - - - - - - (8)
For linear, isotropic magnetic materials,
M = χm H - - - - - - - - - (9)
χm = Magnetic susceptibility.
B= χ = χ )H
B=µH= H - - - - - - - - - (10)

= )=

In general µ = is called permeability of a material.

Consider the expressions for the currents. These currents can be expressed interms of the current densities.
Let JT be the total current density, Jb be the bound current density and J be the free current density. Then
we can write the expressions for currents as,
Ib =

IT =

I=

From the curl definition we can write,

= Jb

= JT

=J

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

Example
1. If B= 0.05xay T in a material for which χm=2.5 find μr , μ , H, M, J and Jb.
μr = 1 + χm = 3.5
μ = μ0 μr = 4π x 10-7 (3.5) = 4.398 x 10-6 H/m
B=μH

H= = 11.36 x 103xay A/m

M = χm H = (28.42 x 103 ) xay A/m

J= X H

= = = 11.36 x 103 az A/ m2

Jb = X M

= = 28.42 x 103 az A/ m2

Magnetic Boundary Conditions

The conditions of the magnetic field existing at the boundary of the two media when the magnetic
field passes from one medium to other are called boundary conditions for magnetic fields or simply
magnetic boundary conditions. When we consider magnetic boundary conditions, the conditions of B and
H are studied at the boundary. The boundary between the two different magnetic materials is considered.
To study conditions of B and H at the boundary, both the vectors are resolved into two components
a) Tangential to boundary and
b) Normal (perpendicular) to boundary

Consider a boundary between two isotropic, homogeneous linear materials with different
permeabilities and as shown in the figure. To determine the boundary conditions, let us use the
closed path and the Gaussian surface.

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

Boundary conditions for Normal component

To find the normal component of B, select a closed Gaussian surface in the form of a right circular
cylinder as shown in the figure. Let the height of the cylinder is Δh and be placed in such a way that Δh/2
is in medium 1 and remaining Δh/2 is in medium 2. Also the axis of the cylinder is in the normal direction
to the surface.
Medium μ1
ΔS
B a Δw
BN b HN
H
Btan Δh 1
2
Δh Htan

Medium μ2 Gaussian surface d c

Fig. 6 Boundary between two magnetic materials of different permeabilities

According to the Gauss’s law for the magnetic field,

= 0 - - - - - - - - - (1)
The surface integral must be evaluated over three surfaces, Top, Bottom and Lateral.
Let the area of the top and bottom is same, equal to ΔS.
= = = 0 - - - - - - - - - (2)

Let the magnitude of normal component of B be BN1 and BN2 in medium 1 and medium 2 respectively. As
we are much interested in the boundary conditions, reduce Δh to zero. As Δh→0, the cylinder tends to
boundary and only top and bottom surfaces contribute in the surface integral.
For top surfaces:
= BN1 = BN1 ΔS - - - - - - - - - (3)
For bottom surfaces:
= BN2 = BN2 ΔS - - - - - - - - - (4)

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

For lateral surfaces:

=0

BN1 ΔS – BN2 ΔS = 0
BN1 ΔS = BN2 ΔS
BN1 = BN2 - - - - - - - - - (5)
As the magnetic flux density and the magnetic field intensity are related by
B=μH
Thus eqn can be written as,
μ1HN1 = μ2 HN2

= = - - - - - - - - - (6)

Boundary conditions for Tangential component

According to Ampere’s circuital law,
= I - - - - - - - - - (7)
Consider a rectangular closed path abcda as shown in figure. It is traced in clockwise direction as
a-b-c-d-a. This closed path is placed in a plane normal to the boundary surface. Hence can be
divided into 6 parts.

= + + + + + =I
Let us consider a closed path which is placed in such a way that half of its portion is in medium 1
and the remaining is in medium 2. The rectangular path is an elementary rectangular path with elementary
height Δh and elementary width Δw. Thus over small width Δw, H can be assume constant say Htan1 in

medium 1 and Htan2 in medium 2. Similarly over a small a height /2, H can be assumed constant say HN1

in medium 1 and HN2 in medium 2.

K. dw = Htan1 Δw + HN1 + HN2 - Htan2 Δw - HN2 - HN1

To get conditions at boundary, Δh→0. Thus,

K. dw = Htan1 Δw - Htan2 Δw

Htan1 - Htan2 = K - - - - - - - - - (8)

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

In vector form, we can express above relation by a cross product as

Htan1 - Htan2 = x K - - - - - - - - - (9)
Where is the unit vector in the direction normal at the boundary from medium 1 to medium 2.
For B, the tangential components can be related with permeabilities of two media using eqn.

- =K

Consider a special case that the boundary is free of current. In other words, media are not conductors.
So K=0. Then eqn becomes
Htan1 - Htan2 = 0
Htan1 = Htan2 - - - - - - - - - (10)
For tangential components of B we can write,

- =0

= = - - - - - - - - - (11)

Let the fields make angles α1 and α2 with the normal to the interface as shown in figure. Interms of angle
α1 and α2, we can write relationship between normal components and tangential components of B.

Btan1 B1

BN1
Medium 1 α1

Medium 2 α2
BN2
B2
Btan2

Fig. 7 Component of B at boundary

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

In medium 1,

tan α1 = - - - - - - - - - (12)

In medium 2,

tan α2 = - - - - - - - - - (13)

Dividing eqns (12) and (13)

=
As we know,
BN1 = BN2

= = - - - - - - - - - (14)

Example
1. In region 1, as shown in the figure
=15 , =1
z
B2 , H2

Medium 2 α2

Medium 1 α1

H1,B1

B1 = 1.2ax + 0.8 ay + 0.4 az

Determine B2 and H2 in other medium and also calculate the angles made by the fields with the
normal.

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 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 4 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

In medium 1,
H1 = = = - - - - - - - - - (1)

= =

From eqn (1), the normal component i.e component in z-direction is = 0.0266

= = 0.4

w.k.t Htan1 = Htan2 =

= - - - - - - - - - (2)

= =

tan α1 = - - - - - - - - - (3)

= 1.44 = 0.4

tan α1 = α1 = 74.47 °

tan α2 = - - - - - - - - - (4)

= 0.4114 = 0.4

tan α2 = α2 = 13.52 °

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