Physics 210A-Winter 2022 Homework 6 Solutions TA: Pratik Sathe

Problem 1
Space Charge Limited Flow. A vacuum tube is an example of a non-neutral plasma; current that flows
through the tube (acting as a diode) is carried by electrons that are pulled from an emissive (hot)
cathode (at ground) and accelerated across a gap to an anode (held at potential Vo ). Current flow in
the tube is space charge limited; in steady state, the space charge of the electron cloud between the
anode and cathode reduces the electric field to zero at the cathode. Model the vacuum tube as two
plates of area A, separated by distance d, with an electron cloud carrying a current of I between the two.
You can treat the problem in 1-D (potential φ, charge density ρ, electron velocity v are all functions of
x only, the coordinate axis normal to the two plates.
(a) Find an expression for the velocity of an electron between the plates given the potential φ(x).
(assume the electrons start from rest at the cathode)
(b) Argue why the current I must be a constant (not a function of x ) in steady state. Given this,
determine the charge density as a function of position in the diode.
(c) Use the previous two results to write down a differential equation for the potential inside the diode,
starting with Poisson’s equation.
(d) Solve this equation for φ(x). Plot this and compare to the potential between the plates in vacuum.
(e) Show that I = KV 3/2 ; where V is the total potential difference across the two plates and K is a
constant. This is the Child-Langmuir Law for space-charge limited current.
(Link to Solution: 1)

Problem 2
Zangwill 9.11 (Resistance to Ground)
The diagram shows a wire connected to the Earth (conductivity σE ) through a perfectly conducting
sphere of radius a which is half-buried in the Earth. The layer of earth immediately adjacent to the
sphere with thickness b − a has conductivity σ2 . Find the resistance between the end of the wire and a
point deep within the Earth (taken as infinitely large).

(Link to Solution: 2)

Problem 3
Zangwill 9.15 (Resistance of an Ohmic Sphere)
A current I flows up the z-axis and is intercepted by an origincentered sphere with radius R and
conductivity σ. The current enters and exits the sphere through small conducting electrodes which
occupy the portion of the sphere’s surface defined by θ ≤ α and π − α ≤ θ ≤ π. Derive an expression
1
for the resistance of the sphere to the flowing current. Assume that α  1 and comment on the limit
α → 0. Hint: Z x2
(2` + 1) dxP` (x) = [P`+1 (x) − P`−1 (x)]xx21
x1

(Link to Solution: 3)

Problem 4
Zangwill Problem 10.3 (Finite Length Solenoid I)
(a) Consider a semi-infinite and tightly wound solenoid with a circular cross section. Prove that the
magnetic flux which passes out through the open end of the solenoid is exactly one-half the flux
which passes through a cross section deep inside the solenoid.
(b) A tightly wound solenoid has length L and a circular cross section. Let L = 5R, where R is the
radius of the cross section. Sketch the magnetic field lines associated with this solenoid. Take special
care with the lines near the open ends. Do any field lines penetrate the walls of the solenoid? If not,
explain why not. If so, discuss their behavior very near the walls.
(Link to Solution: 4)

Problem 5
Zangwill Problem 10.7 (The Geometry of Biot and Savart)
Biot and Savart derived their eponymous formula using a currentcarrying wire bent as shown below.
Find B(r) in the plane of the wire at a distance d from the bend along the axis of symmetry.

(Link to Solution: 5)

Problem 6
Zangwill Problem 10.11 (Current flow over a sphere)
A current I starts at z = −∞ and flows up the z-axis as a linear filament until its hits an origin-centered
sphere of radius R. The current spreads out uniformly over the surface of the sphere and flows up lines
of longitude from the south pole to the north pole. The recombined current flows thereafter as a linear
filament up the z-axis to z = +∞.
(a) Find the current density on the sphere.
2
(b) Use explicitly stated symmetry arguments and Ampère’s law in integral form to find the magnetic
field at every point in space.
(c) Check that your solution satisfies the magnetic field matching conditions at the surface of the sphere.
(Link to Solution: 6)

Problem 7
Zangwill Problem 10.15 (A Spinning Shell of Charge)
A charge Q is uniformly distributed over the surface of a sphere of radius R. The sphere spins at a
constant angular frequency with ω = ωẑ. Use B = −∇ψ to find the magnetic field everywhere. Hint:
See Appendix C.1.1.
(Link to Solution: 7)

Disclaimer: The answers below are not guaranteed to be correct. If you spot a mistake please email
me at [email protected].

3
 Answer of Problem 1
Borrowed from the solution manual
(a) If the electrons start from rest at the cathode, then by conservation of energy we have
1
0 = mV (x)2 − eΦ(x)
2
So r
2eΦ(x)
V (x) =
m
(b) In steady state there is just as much charge leaving cathode as there is entering the anode. The
amount of charge leaving the cathode can be written as dQ
dt
c
, while the amount being gained by the
dQa
anode can be written as dt . Then we have
Z a Z a
dQa dQc dQ dI
− = dx = dx
dt dt c dtdx c dx
dI
We need this expression to be zero, while at the same time maintaining the condition dx > 0, since
the charge flow changing direction would imply that the electric field changed direction. We are
dI
assuming this is not the case, so we must have dx = 0, so I is constant.
(c) We can write the current in the diode as
I = ρ(x)AV (x)
so Poisson’s equation is
ρ(x) I
∇2 Φ(x) = =
0 0 AV (x)
∂2
Using the result from part (a) and using ∇2 = in 1D, we get
∂x2

∂ 2 Φ(x)
r
I m
2
=
∂x 0 A 2eΦ(x)

α
(d) We can solve this by assuming the potential has the form Φ(x) = V0 xd (the coefficient is chosen
to satisfy the boundary conditions, Φ(0) = 0 and Φ(d) = V0 ), where we will find α. Plugging this
into the differential equation above, we get
r
V0 α−2 I mdα − α
α(α − 1)x = x 2
dα 0 A 2eV0
Matching the exponents in x we get
α
α−2=−
2
4
which is solved by α = 3 . The coefficients then must solve
s
  4
V0 4 4 I md 3
4 −1 =
d3 3 3 0 A 2eV0
r
40 A 2e 32
⇒I= V
9d2 m 0
q
(e) This is shown in the previous section, with K = 49d02A 2em
.
4
5
 Answer of Problem 2
Borrowed from the solution manual
Let a current I be expelled radially through the surface of a hemisphere S of radius r. By the definition
of current density, Z
I= dS · j = 2πr2 j
S
If this takes place in ohmic matter with conductivity σ,
∂ϕ
j = σE = −σ
∂r
Therefore,
I
ϕ(r) =
2πrσ
and the voltage across the σ2 layer next to the sphere is
 
I 1 1
ϕ(a) − ϕ(b) = −
2πσ2 a b
The resistance of this layer is  
1 1 1
R2 = −
2πσ2 a b
Similarly, the resistance through the Earth is
 
1 1 1
R1 = −
2πσE b ∞
The overall resistance of the earthing device is equivalent to the resistances R1 and R2 in series. Hence,
 
1 1 1 1 1
R= − +
2πσ2 a b 2πσE b

6
 Answer of Problem 3
Borrowed from the solution manual
The geometry of the problem is as follows

The potential satisfies ∇2 ϕ = 0 inside the sphere. The general solution with azimuthal symmetry which
is regular everywhere is
X∞
ϕ(r, θ) = A` r` P` (cos θ)
`=0
The boundary conditions involve the radial component of the electric field. This is
∞
∂ϕ X
Er = − =− A` `r`−1 P` (cos θ)
∂r `=0

To find the A` , evaluate (2) at r = R, multiply the far left and far right terms by sin θPm (cos θ) and
integrate over x = cos θ. Using the orthogonality of the Legendre polynomials,
Z 1
2
dxP` (x)Pm (x) = δm`
−1 2m + 1
we find Z 1
2m + 1 1
Am = − dxEr (R, x)Pm (x)
2m Rm−1 −1
Because j = σE, Er (R) = 0 everywhere except on the electrodes. On the electrodes, the boundary
condition is
jr I
Er (R) = =±
σ σπ(Rα)2
where the plus (minus) sign applies to the electrode where the current leaves (enters) the sphere. Con-
sequently,
Z 1 Z 1 Z π−cos α 
I
dxEr (R, x)Pm (x) = dxPm (x) − dxPm (x)
−1 σπ(Rα)2 cos α −1
Using the hint given and the parity of Legendre polynomials, Pm (−x) = (−)m Pm (x), we find
Z 1 (
0 m even
dxEr (R, x)Pm (x) = I 2
−1 σπ(Rα)2 2m+1
[Pm−1 (cos α) − Pm+1 (cos α)] m odd.
Using this to evaluate Am and substituting back into (1) gives the potential at any point inside the
sphere as
∞
I X 1 r2k+1
ϕ(r, θ) = [P2k+2 (cos α) − P2k (cos α)] P2k+1 (cos θ)
σπ(Rα)2 k=0 2k + 1 R2k
7
The potential difference between the electrodes is
V = ϕ(R, θ = π) − ϕ(R, θ = 0)
∞
I X R
= 2
[P2k+2 (cos α) − P2k (cos α)] [P2k+1 (−1) − P2k+1 (1)]
σπ(Rα) k=0 2k + 1
The last quantity in square brackets is equal to −2. Therefore, because V = IR defines the resistance,
∞
2 X 1
R= [P2k (cos α) − P2k+2 (cos α)]
πRα2 σ k=0 2k + 1
The k = 0 term causes R to diverge when α = 0 because we are trying to force a finite amount of current
through a point of infinitesimal size.

8
 Answer of Problem 4
Borrowed from the solution manual
(a) Place two identical, semi-infinite solenoids end-to-end so their windings turn in the same direction.
The magnetic field through their common plane is longitudinal and the magnetic flux through this
plane is the same as the flux through any cross-sectional plane far from their common plane. Now
separate the two slightly. By symmetry, the field line pattern is symmetric with respect to the
midplane between the two open ends. The longitudinal component of every field line which exits
one solenoid (and thus contributes to the magnetic flux of interest) has a counterpart field line which
enters the other solenoid with the same longitudinal component of the field. The radial components
have opposite signs for the two solenoids. Therefore, adding the two fields together reproduces the
field inside an infinite solenoid. This proves the assertion.
(b) All the field lines form closed loops. Moreover, from part (a), only half the field lines exit the
solenoid at each end. The other half must pass through the walls and form closed loops as shown
below. Indeed, the field lines which exit through the open ends meet up to form closed loops also.
We emphasize that there is no reason for field lines not to pass through the current sheet. The
requirement is that the matching conditions be satisfied:
ρ̂ · (Bin − Bout ) = 0 and ρ̂ × (Bin − Bout ) = µ0 K
The field lines very near the wall but very far from the ends are very nearly parallel to the walls.
In that case, the matching rules force these lines to execute a sharp ”hairpin” turn when they pass
through the walls.

9
 Answer of Problem 5
Borrowed from the solution manual
Adding some angles and labels to the figure gives

If R = r − r0 , the Bio-Savart law for this wire is

ds × R
I
µ0 I
B(r) =
4π R3
From the geometry, we collect three bits information:
ds × R = dsR sin(π − θ) = dsR sin θ
ds sin θ = Rdθ
sin θ sin α
= .
d R
Since both legs of the wire contribute equally to a field which points into the paper at the indicated
observation point (black dot), we get the field magnitude as
µ0 I α dθ
Z α
µ0 I 1 − cos α
Z
µ0 I 1 µ0 I 1
|B| = = dθ sin θ = = tan α
2π 0 R 2πd sin α 0 2πd sin α 2πd 2

10
 Answer of Problem 6
Borrowed from the solution manual
The geometry of the problem is the following.

(a) The amount of current which flows past a curve C on a surface is

Z
I= ds · K × n̂
C
This must be true for every circle which is the intersection of the sphere with a horizontal plane.
For such circles, ds = R sin θdφφ̂. Moreover, K = −K(θ)θ̂ and n̂ = r̂. Hence,
I
I = 2πR sin θK(θ) ⇒ K=− θ̂
2πR sin θ
(b) The source current is invariant to rotations around the z-axis. Therefore, in cylindrical coordinates,
j = jρ (ρ, z)ρ̂ + jz (ρ, z)ẑ
The magnetic field satisfies ∇×B = µ0 j and B cannot depend on φ. Therefore, the only components
of the curl that may be non-zero are
∂Bφ 1 ∂
∇×B=− ρ̂ + (ρBφ ) ẑ
∂z ρ ∂ρ
This tells us that B = Bφ (ρ, z)φ̂ and that we should use Ampèrian circuits which are horizontal
circles coaxial with the z-axis. When |z| > R, this gives the infinite-wire result that B = (µ0 I/2πρ) φ̂.
When |z| < R, we get zero when ρ < R sin θ (inside the sphere). When ρ > R sin θ (outside the
sphere), I
ds · B = 2πρBφ = µ0 I
C
11
 Therefore, 
0 inside the sphere
B= µ0 I
2πρ
φ̂. outside the sphere
(c) The magnetic field matching conditions are
n̂2 · [B1 − B2 ] = 0 n̂2 × [B1 − B2 ] = µ0 K (rS )
We choose n̂2 = r̂ so the normal-component equation is automatically satisfied at the surface of the
sphere. The other matching equation reads
r̂ × (Bout − Bin )|S = µ0 K
Since ρ = R sin θ at the surface of the sphere, the left side is
µ0 I µ0 I
r̂ × φ̂ = − θ̂
2πR sin θ 2πR sin θ
This agrees with the current density found in part (a).

12
 Answer of Problem 7
Borrowed from the solution manual
If σ = Q/4πR2 is the surface charge density, the magnetic field is produced by the surface current
density
K = σω × r = ωσR sin θφ̂
The magnetic scalar potential satisfies Laplace’s equation inside and outside the sphere. The text showed
that the l = 0 term is absent from the expansion
∞
(
X A` r ` r<R
ψ(r, θ) = P` (cos θ) × B`
`=1 r`(`+1)
r>R
One matching condition is continuity of the normal component of B at r = R. This gives
∞ ∞
X
`−1
X P` (cos θ)
A` `R P` (cos θ) = − B` (` + 1)
`=1 `=1
R`+2

Hence,
`
B` = − R2`+1 A`
`+1
The other matching condition is
r̂ × [Bout − Bin ]r=R = µ0 K,
 
1 ∂ψin ∂ψout
− = µ0 ωσR sin θ
R ∂θ ∂θ r=R
Therefore, using (1) and (2),
∞  
1X 2` + 1 dP` (cos θ)
A` R ` = µ0 ωσR sin θ
R `=1 `+1 ∂θ
From Appendix C.1.1., dP` /dθ = P`1 and sin θ = −P11 . Therefore,
3
A1 = −µ0 ωσR and A`6=1 = 0.
2
We conclude that (
− 23 µ0 ωσRz r < R,
ψ(r, θ) = µ0 ωσR 4

3r2
cos θ r > R.
Inside the sphere, the magnetic field B = (2/3)µ0 σRω is uniform. Outside the sphere, the field is purely
dipolar with magnetic moment m = (4π/3)σR4 ω.

13