(22)

Poynting vector and poynting theorem

When electromagnetic wave travels in space, it carries energy and energy density is always
associated with electric fields and magnetic fields.
The rate of energy travelled through per unit area i.e. the amount of energy flowing through
per unit area in the perpendicular direction to the incident energy per unit time is called poynting
vector.
Mathematically poynting vector is represented as

EB
P = E H ...(i)


the direction of poynting vector is perpendicular to the plane containing E and H . Poynting

vector is also called as instantaneous energy flux density. Here rate of energy transfer P is

perpendicular to both E and H . Since it represents the rate of energy transfer per unit area, its
unit is W/m2.
Poynting theorem states that the net power flowing out of a given volume V is equal to
the time rate of decrease of stored electromagnetic energy in that volume decreased by the
conduction losses.
i.e. total power leaving the volume = rate of decrease of stored electromagnetic energy
ohmic power dissipated due to motion of charge
Proof : The energy density carried by the electromagnetic wave can be calculated using
Maxwell's equations

B
as div D = 0 ...(i) div B = 0 ...(ii) Curl E = ...(iii)
t

D
and Curl H = J ...(iv)
t

taking scalar product of (iii) with H and (iv) with E

B
i.e. H curl E = H ...(v)
t

D
and E. curl H = E.J E. ...(vi)
t
 (23)

B D
doing (vi) (v) i.e. H.curl E E. curl H = H. E.J E.
t t

B D
= H. t E. t E.J


as
div A B = B. curl A A curl B

B D
so
div E H = H. t E. t E.J

...(vii)

But B = H and D = E

B 1 2
so H.
t
= H.
t
H
2 t
H
1
=
t 2 H.B

D 1 2 1
and E.
t t 2 t

= E. E E E.D
t 2

1
so from equation (vii)
div E H =
t 2

H.B E.D E.J

1
or
E.J = H.B E.D div E H
t 2
...(viii)

Integrating equation (viii) over a volume V enclosed by a surface S

1
E.J dV
= t 2 H.B E.D dV div E H dV


V V V
(24)

1 1 2
or E.J dV 2
= 2 H 2 E dV E H .ds
V V S

as

B = H, D E and div E H dV = E H .ds
V S

1 2 1 2
or E . J dV = t 2 H
2
E dV H .ds
E
V V S

U em
or E H .ds = t
dV E . J dV
s V V

U em
or P.ds t

dV E . J dV as P E H ...(ix)
s V V

i.e. Total power leaving the volume = rate of decrease of stored e.m. energy -
ohmic power dissipated due to charge motion
This equation (ix) represents the poynting theorem according to which the net power
flowing out of a given volume is equal to the rate of decrease of stored electromagnetic energy
in that volume minus the conduction losses.

In equation (ix) P.ds represents the amount of electromagnetic energy crossing the
s

closed surface per second or the rate of flow of outward energy through the surface S enclosing
volume V i.e. it is poynting vector.

U em 1 1 2
The term dV or 2 H
2
E dV, the terms 1 H 2 and 1 E 2 represent
V
t t V
2 2 2
the energy stored in electric and magnetic fields respectively and their sum denotes the total
energy stored in electromagnetic field. So total terms gives the rate of decrease of energy stored
in volume V due to electric and magnetic fields.

E.J dV gives the rate of energy transferred into the electromagnetic field.
V
 (25)

This is also known as work-energy theorem. This is also called as the energy conservation
law in electromagnetism.