CHAPTER 5

MAGNETOSTATICS
• In Chapters 2 to 4, we limited our discussions to static electric fields characterized
by E or D.

• We now focus our attention on static magnetic fields, which are characterized by
H or B.

• There are similarities and dissimilarities between electric and magnetic fields. As
E and D are related according to D = E for linear material space, H and B are
related according to B = .

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 BIOT-SAVART'S LAW
Biot-Savart's law states that the magnetic field intensity dH produced at a point P,
as shown in Figure 5.1, by the differential current clement I dl is proportional to the
product I dl and the sine of the angle between the element and the line joining P
to the element and is inversely proportional to the square of the distance R
between P and the element.

Figure 5.1 magnetic field dH at P due to current element I dl

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 ………eq. (5.1)

……….eq. (5.2)

where k is the constant of proportionality. In SI units, k = l/4, so eq. (5.2)

becomes

……….eq. (5.3)

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From the definition of cross product it is easy to notice that eq. (5.3) is better put in
vector form as

……….eq. (5.4)

here R = |R| and aR = R/R. Thus the direction of dH can be determined by the
righthand rule with the right-hand thumb pointing in the direction of the current,
the right-hand fingers encircling the wire in the direction of dH as shown in Figure
5.2.

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 Figure 5.2 Determining the direction of dH using (a) the right-hand rule,

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we can have different current distributions: line current, surface current, and
volume current as shown in Figure 5.3. If we define K as the surface current density
(in amperes/meter) and J as the volume current density (in amperes/meter
square), the source elements are related as
……….eq. (5.5)

Figure 5.3 Current distributions: (a) line current, (b) surface current, (c) volume current.

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Thus in terms of the distributed current sources, the Biot-Savart law as in eq. (5.4)
becomes

……….eq. (5.6)

……….eq. (5.7)

……….eq. (5.8)

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• As an example, let us apply eq. (5.6) to determine the field due to a straight
current carrying filamentary conductor of finite length AB as in Figure 5.4. We
assume that the conductor is along the z-axis with its upper and lower ends
respectively subtending angles 2 and at P, the point at which H is to be
determined. Particular note should be taken of this assumption as the formula to
be derived will have to be applied accordingly. If we consider the contribution dH
at P due to an element dl at (0, 0, z),

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 Figure 5.4 Field at point P due to a straight filamentary conductor.

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 ……….eq. (5.9)

……….eq. (5.10)

……….eq. (5.11)

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 and eq. (5.11) becomes

……….eq. (5.12)

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This expression is generally applicable for any straight filamentary conductor of
finite length. Notice from eq. (5.12) that H is always along the unit vector a (i.e.,
along concentric circular paths) irrespective of the length of the wire or the point
of interest P.

As a special case, when the conductor is semiinfinite (with respect to P) so that
point A is now at (O(0, 0, 0) while B is at (0, 0, ); 1, = 90°, 2 = 0°, and eq. (5.12)
becomes

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Another special case is when the conductor is infinite in length. For this case, point
A is at (0, 0, -) while B is at (0, 0, ); 1 = 180°, 2= 0°, so eq. (5.12) reduces to

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eg.1.

Solution:
Consider the circular loop shown in Figure 5.5.The magnetic field intensity dH at
point P(0, 0, h) contributed by current element Idl is given by Biot-Savart's law:

Figure 5.5 For Example 1:

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By symmetry, the contributions along a add up to zero because the radial
components produced by pairs of current element 180° apart cancel.
 This may also be shown mathematically by writing a in rectangular coordinate
systems (i.e., a = cos ax + sinay).

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 AMPERE'S CIRCUIT LAW—MAXWELL'S
EQUATION
• Ampere's circuit law states that the line integral of the tangential component of
H around a dosed path is the same as the net current Ienc enclosed by the path.

……….eq. (5.13)

By applying Stoke's theorem to the left-hand side of eq. (5.13), we obtain

……….eq. (5.14)

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 ……….eq. (5.15)

Comparing the surface integrals in eqs. (5.14) and (5.15) clearly reveals that

……….eq. (5.16)

 we should observe that X H = J 0; that is, magnetostatic field is not

conservative.

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 MAGNETIC FLUX DENSITY—
MAXWELL'S EQUATION
……….eq. (5.17)

Where 0 is a constant known as the permeability of free space. The constant is

in henrys/meter (H/m) and has the value of

……….eq. (5.18)

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• where the magnetic flux is in webers (Wb) and the magnetic flux density is in
webers/square meter (Wb/m2 ) or teslas.
• Thus the total flux through a closed surface in a magnetic field must be zero;
that is,
……….eq. (5.19)

By applying the divergence theorem to eq. (5.19), we obtain

……….eq. (5.19b)
or
……….eq. (5.19c)

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 MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS FOR STATIC
EM FIELDS
TABLE 5.1Maxwell's Equations for Static EM Fields

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 MAGNETIC SCALAR AND VECTOR
POTENTIALS
• This shows that magnetostatic fields have no sources or sinks. Equation (5.19c)
suggests that magnetic field lines are always continuous.
• the magnetic potential could be scalar Vm or vector A. To define Vm and A
involves recalling two important identities that is:

……….eq. (5.20)
……….eq. (5.21)

……….eq. (5.22)

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 ……….eq. (5.23)

 Since Vm must satisfy the condition in eq. (5.20). Thus the magnetic scalar
potential Vm is only defined in a region where J = 0 as in eq. (5.22). We should
also note that Vm satisfies Laplace's equation just as V does for electrostatic
fields; hence,
……….eq. (5.24)

 In order to satisfy eqs.(5.19) and (5.21) simultaneously, we can define the vector
magnetic potential A (in Wb/m) such that
……….eq. (5.25)

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• Just as we defined
……….eq. (5.26)

we can define
……….eq. (5.27)

……….eq. (5.28)

……….eq. (5.29)

 Try to see the proof on the text book

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By substituting eq. (5.25) into eq. (5.18) and applying Stokes's theorem,
we obtain
……….eq. (5.30)

or
……….eq. (5.31)

 Thus the magnetic flux through a given area can be found using either eq.
(5.18) or (5.31). Also, the magnetic field can be determined using either Vm
or A; the choice is dictated by the nature of the given problem except that Vm
can only be used in a source-free region.

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eg.2.

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 Figure 7.20 For Example 2

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 THE END

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