CHAPTER 7

MAGNETOSTATIC FIELD
(STEADY MAGNETIC)
7.1 INTRODUCTION - SOURCE OF MAGNETOSTATIC FIELD
7.2 ELECTRIC CURRENT CONFIGURATIONS
7.3 BIOT SAVART LAW
7.4 AMPERES CIRCUITAL LAW
7.5 CURL (IKAL)
7.6 STOKES THEOREM
7.7 MAGNETIC FLUX DENSITY
7.8 MAXWELLS EQUATIONS
7.9 VECTOR MAGNETIC POTENTIAL

7.1 INTRODUCTION - SOURCE OF

MAGNETOSTATIC FIELD
Originate from:
constant current
permanent magnet
electric field changing linearly with time

Analogous between electrostatic and magnetostatic fields

Attribute

Electrostatic

Magnetostatic

Source

Static charge

Steady current

Field

E and D

H and B

Factor

Related Maxwell
equations

D v

B 0

E 0

H J

Scalar V with

Vector A with

Potential

E V
Energy density

1
we E 2
2

B A
1
wm H 2
2

Two important laws for solving magnetostatic field

Biot Savart Law general case
Amperes Circuital Law cases of symmetrical current
distributions

7.2 ELECTRIC CURRENT CONFIGURATIONS

Three basic current configurations or distributions:
Filamentary/Line current, I dl
Surface current, J s ds
Volume current, Jdv

Can be summarized:

I dl J s ds Jdv (A.m)

7.3 BIOT SAVART LAW

Consider the diagram
as shown:

A differential magnetic field strength, dH results from a

differential current element, I dl . The field varies inversely with
the distance squared. The direction is given by cross product of

I dl and a R

dH 2

I 1 dl 1 x a R12
2
4R12

( Am -1 )

Total magnetic field can be obtained by integrating:

H2

I dl x a R
-1
(
Am
)
2
4R

Similarly for surface current and volume current elements the

magnetic field intensities can be written as:

dH 2

J s1 x a R12 ds1

H2

2
4R12

J x a R ds
4R 2

-1

(Am )
-1

dH 2

J 1 x a R12 dv1

(Am ) H 2

2
4R12

J x a R dv
4R 2

(Am -1 )
(Am -1 )

Ex. 7.1: For a filamentary current distribution of finite length and along
the z axis, find (a) H and (b) H when the current extends from - to
+.
Solution:

z
(0,0,z)

} dl z dz '
z- z

rc

I
a

rc

2
1

dH
(r c , ,z)
y

H ( rc , , z )
a

I dl ' x a R (rc ' , ' , z ' , rc , , z )

4R 2 (rc ' , ' , z ' , rc , , z )

dl ' (r, , z)

I ( zdz ' ) x [rc rc z ( z ' z )]

dH =
2
4 [ rc ( z ' z ) 2 ]3 / 2

dH (r, , z)

=> z x rc ; z x z 0

Irc dz '
dH =
2
4 [ rc ( z ' z ) 2 ]3 / 2
Irc b
dz '
H =
4 a [ rc 2 ( z ' z ) 2 ]3 / 2

I
z ' z

4rc [ rc 2 ( z ' z ) 2 ]1/ 2

Using Table :

Hence:

I
H
4rc

bz
az

2
2
2 1/ 2
2 1/ 2
[
r

(
b

z
)
]
[
r

(
b

z
)
]
c
c

In terms of 1 and 2 :

dx
x

[c 2 x 2 ]3 / 2 c 2 c 2 x 2

1/ 2

I
sin 2 sin 1 A/m
H
4rc

(b) When a = - and b = +, we see that 1 = /2, and 2 = /2

I
H
(Am -1 )
2rc

The flux of H in the

direction and its density
decrease with rc as
shown in the diagram.

z
I

Filamentary
current
Flux H

Unit vector : al a R

Ex. 7.2: Find the expression for the H field along the axis of the
circular current loop carrying a current I.
Solution:
Using Biot Savart Law

dH
(0,0,z)

dH =

Current
loop, I

a R
dl rd

(rc,,z)

I (rc d ) x ( zz r r )
4 [ r z 2 ]3 / 2
2

and
x z r x cos y sin
x (r) z

Ir 2 d
dH = z
4 (r 2 z 2 )3 / 2
where the r component was
omitted due to symmetry

Hence:
2

zIr 2
H dH
2
2 3/ 2
4

(
r

z
)
0
zIr 2

2(r 2 z 2 )3 / 2

; r a

zIa 2
-1

(Am
)
2
2 3/ 2
2(a z )

Ex. 7.3: Find the H field along the axis of a s solenoid closely wound
with a filamentary current carrying conductor as shown in Fig. 7.3.
flux

surface
current

Fig. 7.3: (a) Closely wound solenoid (b) Cross section (c) surface current, NI (A).

Solution:
Total surface current = NI Ampere
Surface current density, Js = NI / l

Am-1

View the dz length as a thin current loop that

carries a current of Jsdz = (NI / l )dz
Solution from Ex. 7.2:

surface
current

zIa 2
-1
H
(Am
)
2
2 3/ 2
2( a z )

Therefore dH at the center of the solenoid:

NI

dz a 2

dH z
2( a 2 z 2 ) 3 / 2
Hence:

NIa 2
H z
2

/ 2

dz
NI
-/ 2 (a 2 z 2 )3 / 2 z (4a 2 2 )1/ 2

If

>> a :
NI
H z
zJ s

(Am-1)

at the center of
the solenoid

Field at one end of the solenoid is

obtained by integrating from 0 to :

H z
If

NI
2(a 2 2 )1/ 2

>> a :
NI
Js
H z
z
2
2
which is one half the value at the center.

Ex. 7.4: Find H at point (-3,4,0) due to the filamentary current as shown in
the Fig. below.
z

to

3A

3A

to

Solution:
Total magnetic field intensity
is given by :

H Hx Hz

(-3,4,0)

Hz :

To find

I
sin 2 sin 1
Hz
4rc
Unit vector:

al a R

3A

to

-3

a R

4
4
3
3
- z - x y x y
5
5
5
5
Hence:

1 = /2 ; 2 = 0
4

I
sin 2 sin 1
Hz
4rc
3
3
4
0 1
x y
5 4 5
5
38.2 x 28.65 y

(-3,4,0)

a R

R 3x 4 y 3 x 4 y

R
5
9 16

To find

Hx :

I
sin 2 sin 1
Hx
4rc

-3

Unit vector:

al a R

a R

3A

a R

Hence:

4 4
23.88 z

1-

Hence:

sin 1 = -3/5
2 = /2

x y z
I
sin 2 sin 1
Hx
4rc

(-3,4,0)

to

H H x H z 38.2 x 28.65 y 23.88 z A/m

R
4 y

y
R
16

7.4 AMPERES CIRCUITAL LAW

Solving magnetostaic problems for cases of symmetrical
current distributions.
Definition:
The line integral of the tangential component of the magnetic
field strength around a closed path is equal to the current
enclosed by the path :

H dl I

en

Graphical display for Amperes Circuital Law interpretation of Ien

H dl I

en

I
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Path (loop) (a) and (b)

enclose the total current I ,
path c encloses only part
of the current I and path d
encloses zero current.

Ex. 7.5: Using Amperes circuital law, find H field for the filamentary
current I of infinite length as shown in Fig. 7.6.
z

Solution:
Construct a closed
concentric loop as
shown in Fig. 7.6a.

to +

Filamentary current
of infinite length

}dl
I
y

I Amperian loop

to -

Fig. 7.6a

Fig. 7.6

dl rd

H dl I

enc

H rd I H r d I H (2r ) I
l

I
H
(A/m)
2r

(similar to Ex. 7.1(b) using Biot Savart)

Ex. 7.5: Find H inside and outside an infinite length conductor of

infinite cross section that carries a current I A uniformly distributed
over its cross section and then plot its magnitude.
y

Solution:
For r a (C2) :

C2

H dl I enc

C1

c2

H (2r ) I
I
H

2r

conductor

Amperian path

A/ m
H(r)

For r a (C1) :

H dl

I enc

H(a)
= I/2a

c1

r 2
H ( 2r ) I
2

H1
H2

Ir
H
A/ m
2
2a

Ex. 7.6: Find H field above and below a surface current distribution of
-1
infinite extent with a surface current density J s J y y Am .
Solution:
Graphical display for finding H and using Amperes circuital law:
z

3
1

dH r

Filamentary current

dH1

dH 2

dH1
dH r
dH 2

J s J y y Am -1.
z

Amperian path 1-1-2-2-1

1'

2'

H dl H dl H dl H dl H dl I
l

1'

2'

Surface
current

en

J yl

From the construction, we can see that H above and below the surface
current will be in the x and x directions, respectively.
1'

H
1

where

2'

x1

x xdx H x 2 ( x ) xdx J y l
2'

and

1'

Therefore:

since H is perpendicular to dl

H x1l H x 2l J y l

Similarly if we takes on the path 3-3'-2'-2-3, the

equation becomes:
2

H x 3l H x 2 l J y l
Hence:

H x1 H x 3 H x

1
2

J s J y y Am-1.
2

Amperian path 1-1-2-2-1

And we deduce that

equal, its becomes:

above and below the surface current are

H xl H xl J y l
1
Hx Jy ;
2
1
Hx Jy ;
2
In vector form:

1
H J y x
2
1
H J y ( x )
2

z0
z0

1
H J a n
2

n
z a
x
y

It can be shown for two parallel plate with separation h, carrying equal current
density flowing in opposite direction the H field is given by:

H J a n ; ( 0 z h )
0

( z h and z 0 )

0 ; ( z h)
n
z a

H J a n
x

x
y

0 ; (z 0 )
H J a n ; ( 0 z h )
0

( z h and z 0 )

7.5 CURL (IKAL)

The curl of a vector field,

H is another vector field.

For example in Cartesian coordinate, combining the three components,

curl H can be written as:

H z H y
H y H x
H x H z
H x
z
y

z
x
y
z
x
y
And can be simplified as:

H
x
Hx

y
Hy

z
Hz

Expression for curl in cyclindrical and spherical coordinates:

1 H z H H r H z 1
H r
r

H
rH r r

r z z r
1
H
r sin

H sin H

z cyclindrical

1 1 H r rH 1 rH H r

r sin
r
r
r

spherical

7.5.1 RELATIONSHIP OF H AND J

H J
Meaning that if
will produce

H is known throughout a region, then H J

for that region.

Ex. 7.7: Find x H for given H field as the following.

(a)

H
2rc

(b)

Irc

H
2
2a

(c)

(d)

for a filamentary current

in an infinite current carrying

conductor with radius a meter

J s for infinite sheet of uniformly

2 surface current Js
2
2

r
I
c

in outer conductor of coaxial cable

2

H
2
2rc c b
H x

Solution:
(a)

H
2rc

=>

, H rc H z 0
H H
2rc

Cyclindrical coordinate

1 H z H
H r
H r H z 1
r
rH -
H

r r

z r
r z
=0

=0

Hence:

z
xH
rc

z I
rc H

rc rc 2
rc

=0

Solution:
(b)

Irc

H
2
2a

Cyclindrical coordinate

1 H z H
H r
H r H z 1

r
rH -
H

r r

z r
r z
=0

=0

Hence:

z
xH
rc

Irc
rc

r
2

a
c

I
z 2 zJ (Am-2 )
a

z

rc

2rc I

2
2a

=0

Solution:
(c)

Js
H x
2

Cartesian coordinate

H z H y
H y H x
H x H z
H x
z
y

z
x
y
z
x
y
=0

=0

because Hx = constant and Hy = Hz = 0.

Hence:

xH 0

=0

Solution:
(d)

H
2rc

c 2 rc2
2

2
c b

Cyclindrical coordinate

1 H z H
H r
H r H z 1
r
rH -
H

r r

z r
r z
=0

Hence:

z
xH
rc

=0

I
rc

2rc
rc

c 2 rc2
2

2
c b

I
2rc
2 c 2 b 2

I
-2
z

J
(Am
)
2
2
(c b )
z

rc

=0

7.6 STOKES THEOREM

Stokes theorem states that the integral of the tangential component of a
vector field H around l is equal to the integral of the normal component of
curl H over S.
In other word Stokess theorem relates closed loop line integral

to the surface integral H ds

H dl H ds
l

H dl

It can be shown as follow:

Consider an open surface S whose boundary is a closed surface l

a n unit vector normal to s

surface S

Path l

H a n
s

dl

H dl H a
s

H dl H an s H s

k 1

H dlk

lk

H sk
m

k 1

From the diagram it can be seen that the

total integral of the surface s enclosed
by the loop inside the open surface S is
zero since the adjacent loop is in the
opposite direction. Therefore the total
integral on the left side equation is the
perimeter of the open surface S.
If

sk 0

therefore

a n

m =

surface S
Path l

dlk
sk

Hence:

H dl H ds

where loop l is the path that enclosed surface S and this equation is
called Stokes Theorem.

Ex. 7.8:

Ir
( A / m)
2
2a

was found in an infinite conductor of

radius a meter. Evaluate both side of Stokes theorem to find the current
flow in the conductor.
Solution:

H dl ( H ) ds
l

Ir
2
2a

r a
a 2

I
0 2 d 0

Ir

ad
2
2

z
0 a 2

zrdrd

zrdrd

I I
xH

z
rc

rc

rc

Irc
2a 2

z 2rc I

rc 2a 2

I
a 2

7.7 MAGNETIC FLUX DENSITY

Magnetic field intensity :
where

B o H

o 4 10-7 H/m

Magnetic flux :

m B ds

Teslas (Wb / m 2 )

permeability of free space

that passes through the surface S.

d m =
=

ds

cos

B ds

Hence:

m B ds
s

ds

n
ds dsa

In magnetics, magnet poles have

not been isolated:

m B ds 0 (Wb)
s

B ds
s

B dv 0
v

B 0
4th. Maxwells equation for static fields.

Ex. 7.9: For H 10 r (Am-1), find the m that passes through a plane
surface by, ( = /2), (2 r 4), and (0 z 2).
3

Solution:
2 4

m B ds o103 r drdz
s

0 2

2 4

o 103 rdrdz o 103 12

0 2

150.8 x 10 -4 Wb

7.8 MAXWELLS EQUATIONS

POINT
FORM

INTEGRAL FORM

D v

D dv D ds v dv Qenc
v
s
v

xE 0
xH J

B 0

x E ds E dl 0
s
l

x H ds H dl J ds I enc
s
l
s

B dv B ds 0
v
s

Electrostatic fields :
Magnetostatic fields:

D E

B H

7.9 VECTOR MAGNETIC POTENTIAL

To define vector magnetic potential, we start with:

B ds 0
s

=> magnet poles have not

been isolated

Using divergence theorem:

B ds B dv 0

<=>

B 0

From vector identity:

A 0
where

A is any vector.

Therefore from Maxwell and identity

vector, we can defined if A is a
vector magnetic potential, hence:

B A

SUMMARY
Maxwells equations

H d l J ds H ds I
l

en

Stokes theorem
Amperes circuital law
Maxwells equations

m B ds 0 B dv 0
s

Divergence theorem
Gausss law
Magnetic flux lines close on themselves
(Magnet poles cannot be isolated)