Maxwells Equations Relationship between field and circuit theory

In field theory, we deal with the field vectors (E, D, B, H, and J) and their values as a function of position. In circuit theory, we however, deal with circuit elements, the voltage V across them, and the total current I through them. For a short rod (say) of length l and cross-sectional area A (see figure below), for low frequencies, we may describe the rod in terms of its resistance, R. For Ohms law, the voltage difference

between the ends of the rod is V = IR where I is the current in the rod. Considering the electric field E at any point in the rod, (Vm-1)

E=
where

J
and

J = conduction current density = conductivity (simens).

Integrating to get the voltage difference between the ends of the rod:

V = E dl =

J dl
(V).

for a uniform rod with uniform current density. We then have

V =
Note here that

Jl l = JA A
and

JA =I = current through the rod resistance of rod

l =R= A
A We also recall that = cross-sectional area of rod. which is Ohms law. Hence Ohms law is a pure

V = JA
circuit relation while

l IR A

(V = IR)

is a pure field relation. Many equations are however a mixture of both

(E = J / )
relations. Although field relations are more general, it is usually much simpler to use circuit equations whenever

they are applicable. Circuit relations are simply special cases of field equations and may be deduced from them. Mixed relations are necessary in order to provide a connection between field and circuit theory. Examples are and .

V = E dl
In

I = H dl

, V is a circuit quantity related to the line integral of E ( a field quantity). Equally, in

V = E dl
Amperes law ( ), I (a circuit quantity) relates to the line integral of H (a field quantity) around a

I = H dl
closed path.

Circuit theory applications

We shall consider a coaxial transmission line (see figure below) under two conditions; one where I and V are useful quantities and the other one where they are not. For an inner conductor of radius a and a radius b for the outer conductor, if the potential difference between the conductors is steady, the electric field lines are radial (see adjacent figure), For a current I flowing in the conductors, the magnetic field lines H are concentric circles. We write the potential difference between the inner and the outer conductors as and the current I in the inner

V = E dr
a

conductor is

. V is

I = H dl =

Hrd

independent of it path between and b. V and Radius r provided the is between a the conductorsand II have a simple, definite significance and are useful is independent of configuration shown in the figure above is called a Transverse Electromagnetic (TEM) quantities. The field the field because the electric and magnetic fields are entirely transverse (they have no component in the axial direction). This is the only configuration of field mode possible under steady conditions and for the timevarying situations where the wave-length is of the order of 4b or greater. At higher frequencies (i.e. short wavelengths) higher order modes become possible. These modes have some field components in the axial direction. Suppose that the frequency is sufficiently high for the mode or configuration shown in the figure below to exist, both transverse and longitudinal sections are needed to show the field configuration. This type of field is called a Transverse Magnetic (TM) mode because the magnetic

Filed is entirely transverse while the electric field has a longitudinal component. In this mode the voltage is negligible but the current depends on the radius r at which H

V = E dr
a

( I = H dl = Hrd )
0

is integrated. Here, V and I no longer have a simple significance. They are however no longer as useful as the field quantities. The circuit concept breaks down when the transverse dimensions become comparable with the wavelength.

Maxwells equations as circuit equations

We shall now attempt in this section to bring together relations discussed earlier in this course. These are Maxwells equations. They consist of just four expressions: one derived from Amperes law, one from Faradays law and two derived from Gauss law. The four are of great importance and coupled with boundary, continuity and other relations, form the basic tools for analysing most electromagnetic problems. We recall here that Amperes law is given as which may be written as .

H dl = I
This is the integral form of Maxwells equation derived from Amperes law

H dl = J ds
S

 H dl = ( J +
S

D ) ds t

Because in circuit work a closed path or loop is often called a mesh, the above equation may simply be called a

This is the differential form of Maxwells equation derived from Amperes law

 H = J +

D t

This last equation relates the field quantities to a point. We now turn to Faradays law. We have already found that where is the flux linkage resulting

V =
in the following expression: ;

d dt

V =
but

d B ds dt S

. We may therefore write

V = E dl
This is the integral form of Maxwells equation derived from Faradays law

E dl =

B ds t

The corresponding point relation is obtained from this relation by applying Stokes theorem giving the differential form of Maxwells equation derived from Faradays law. This is the differential form of Maxwells equation derived from Faradays law B

E =

We shall now recall that Gauss law for a surface integral of electric flux density D to the charge Q enclosed is given as .

D ds = Q
S

But

Q = dv

D ds = dv
S

This is the integral form of Maxwells electric field equation derived from Gauss law

This relation applies to a finite volume v. If we apply it to an infinitesimal volume, we obtain the corresponding differential relation which relates to the field quantities at a point thus
This is the differential form of Maxwells electric field equation derived from Gauss law

D =

For magnetic fields, the surface integral of B over a closed surface s gives zero. Thus, the magnetic equivalent / counterpart of Gauss law on electric field is

This is the integral form of Maxwells magnetic field equation derived from Gauss law

B ds = 0
S

Its differential point relation is

This is the differential form of Maxwells magnetic field equation derived from Gauss law

B = 0

The student will certainly need to re-call the following fundamental relations for electromagnetic problems. These are Ohms law

J = E

continuity relation

J =

F = qE
The force relation and

dF = ( I B)dl
constitution relations.

D = E = 0 E + P B = H = 0 ( H + M )