Electromagnetic Boundary Conditions and

Numerical Problems: A Comprehensive

Textbook
Grok 3

May 7, 2025

Contents
1 Introduction 1

2 Magnetic Field Boundary Conditions 2

2.1 Normal Component of B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Tangential Component of H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3 Numerical Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3 Electric Field Boundary Conditions 3

3.1 Normal Component of D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.2 Tangential Component of E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.3 Numerical Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4 Numerical Problems in Electromagnetics 4

4.1 Electric Field Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4.2 Current, Potential, and Capacitance Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

5 Conclusion 6

1 Introduction
This chapter explores electromagnetic boundary conditions and numerical prob-
lems in electrostatics and magnetostatics. Boundary conditions govern how elec-
tric and magnetic fields behave at interfaces between different media, critical
for designing devices like capacitors and transformers. Numerical problems il-
lustrate practical applications, from calculating electric fields to determining ca-
pacitance. The explanations progress from foundational principles to advanced
applications, with step-by-step derivations, numerical examples, and illustrative
diagrams.

1
2 Magnetic Field Boundary Conditions
Boundary conditions for magnetic fields ensure continuity or specific disconti-
nuities at interfaces between media with different permeabilities.

2.1 Normal Component of B

The magnetic flux density B has no sources or sinks (divergence-free), as ex-
pressed by Gauss’s law for magnetic fields:
I
∇ · B = 0, B · dS = 0. (1)
S

At an interface between two media (permeabilities µ1 and µ2 ), consider a Gaus-

sian pillbox with area ∆S straddling the boundary, with normal an1 from medium
2 to 1.
The flux through the top (medium 1) is B1 · an1 ∆S = BN 1 ∆S. The bottom
(medium 2) contributes −B2 · an1 ∆S = −BN 2 ∆S. As the pillbox height ∆h → 0,
side contributions vanish. Thus:

BN 1 ∆S − BN 2 ∆S = 0, B N 1 = BN 2 . (2)

The normal component of B is continuous across the boundary.

B1
Medium
an1 1, µ1

∆S Interface

Medium 2, µ2
B2

Figure 1: Gaussian pillbox at the interface for deriving the normal B boundary
condition (similar to Figure 7.20 in the PDF).

2.2 Tangential Component of H

The magnetic field intensity H is related to currents via Ampere’s law:
I
H · dL = Ifree . (3)
L

Consider a rectangular loop across the interface with a surface current density
K (A/m) on the boundary.
The loop has length ∆L parallel to the interface and height ∆h → 0. The
tangential component Ht1 in medium 1 contributes Ht1 · at1 ∆L = Ht1 ∆L. In
medium 2, the contribution is −Ht2 · at1 ∆L = −Ht2 ∆L. The enclosed current
is K · (an1 × at1 )∆L. Thus:

Ht1 ∆L − Ht2 ∆L = K · (an1 × at1 )∆L. (4)

2
So:
Ht1 − Ht2 = K · (an1 × at1 ). (5)
If K = 0, the tangential H is continuous.

Medium
an1 1, µ1
H1
K at1 Interface
H2
Medium 2, µ2

Figure 2: Amperean loop for deriving the tangential H boundary condition.

2.3 Numerical Example

At an interface between air (µ1 = µ0 ) and iron (µ2 = 1000µ0 ), B1 = 0.5az T in air,
normal to the interface. A surface current K = 10ax A/m exists. Find B2 and H2 .

• Normal B:
BN 1 = BN 2 , BN 2 = 0.5 T. (6)
So, B2 = 0.5az T.

• Tangential H: In air:

B1 0.5az
H1 = = = 3.98 × 105 az A/m. (7)
µ1 4π × 10−7

Assume at1 = ay , an1 = az . Then:

an1 × at1 = az × ay = −ax , K · (an1 × at1 ) = 10ax · (−ax ) = −10. (8)

Ht1 − Ht2 = −10. (9)

Since H1 is normal, Ht1 = 0. Thus:

Ht2 = 10 A/m, H2 = 3.98 × 105 az + 10ay A/m. (10)

B2 = µ2 H2 = 1000 · 4π × 10−7 · (3.98 × 105 az + 10ay ) = 0.5az + 0.0126ay T. (11)

3 Electric Field Boundary Conditions

Boundary conditions for electric fields are analogous to magnetic fields, address-
ing interfaces between dielectrics.

3
3.1 Normal Component of D
The electric displacement D satisfies Gauss’s law:
I
D · dS = Qenclosed . (12)
S

For a pillbox at an interface with surface charge density ρS (C/m²):

DN 1 ∆S − DN 2 ∆S = ρS ∆S, DN 1 − DN 2 = ρS . (13)

If ρS = 0, the normal D is continuous.

3.2 Tangential Component of E

H
The electric field E is conservative, so L
E·dL = 0. For a loop across the interface:

Et1 ∆L − Et2 ∆L = 0, Et1 = Et2 . (14)

The tangential E is always continuous.

D1
Medium
an1 1, ϵ1
ρS Interface

Medium 2, ϵ2
D2

Figure 3: Gaussian pillbox for deriving the normal D boundary condition.

3.3 Numerical Example

At an interface between air (ϵ1 = ϵ0 ) and a dielectric (ϵ2 = 4ϵ0 ), D1 = 0.1az µC/m2
in air, normal to the interface, with ρS = 0.05 µC/m2 . Find D2 and E2 .

DN 1 − DN 2 = ρS , 0.1 − DN 2 = 0.05, DN 2 = 0.05 µC/m2 . (15)

So, D2 = 0.05az µC/m2 .

D2 0.05 × 10−6
E2 = = az = 1412az V/m. (16)
ϵ2 4 · 8.854 × 10−12

4 Numerical Problems in Electromagnetics

Numerical problems reinforce the application of electromagnetic principles to
practical scenarios.

4
4.1 Electric Field Problems
Problem 2.1: Three charges are at 5 nC at y = 5 cm, −10 nC at y = −5 cm, and 15 nC
at x = −5 cm. Find the coordinates of a 20 nC charge to produce zero electric field
at the origin.
Electric field at the origin:
 
1 15 × 10−9 5 × 10−9 10 × 10−9 1 3
E0 = ax − ay − ay = · (ax − ay ).
4πϵ0 (0.05) 2 (0.05) 2 (0.05) 2 4πϵ0 5 × 10−2
(17)
The 20 nC charge at (x, y) produces:
20 × 10−9
E20 = (xax + yay ). (18)
4πϵ0 (x2 + y 2 )
p
Set E0 + E20 = 0. Equate components and solve for ρ = x2 + y 2 = 4.85 cm, with
x = −y. Coordinates: (3.43, −3.43) cm.
Problem 2.13: A spherical shell from r = 3 cm to r = 5 cm has ρv = 0.2 µC/m3 .
Find the total charge and r1 where half the charge is within 3 cm < r < r1 .
Total charge:
Z 2π Z π Z 0.05
0.053 − 0.033
Q= 0.2 × 10−6 r2 sin θ dr dθ dϕ = 4π · 0.2 × 10−6 · = 82.1 pC.
0 0 0.03 3
(19)
Half the charge:
r13 − 0.033
4π · 0.2 × 10−6 · = 41.05 × 10−12 , r1 = 0.0424 m = 4.24 cm. (20)
3

4.2 Current, Potential, and Capacitance Problems

Problem 6.2: A parallel-plate capacitor has S = 100 mm2 , d = 3 mm, ϵr = 12. Cal-
culate capacitance, and with a 6 V battery, find E, D, Q, and energy. Recalculate
after removing the dielectric.

• Capacitance:
ϵr ϵ0 S 12 · 8.854 × 10−12 · 100 × 10−6
C= = = 3.54 pF. (21)
d 3 × 10−3

• With dielectric:
V 6
E= = = 2000 V/m, D = ϵr ϵ0 E = 0.212 µC/m2 . (22)
d 0.003
1
Q = DS = 0.212 × 10−6 · 100 × 10−6 = 21.2 pC, We = QV = 63.6 pJ. (23)
2
• Without dielectric:

E = 2000 V/m, D = ϵ0 E = 17.7 nC/m2 , Q = 1.77 pC, We = 5.31 pJ. (24)

The reduced charge and energy return to the battery.

5
 Example: A current density J = −10−4 (yax +xay ) A/m2 crosses the y = 0 plane.
Find the current in the −ay direction between z = 0 to 1, x = 0 to 2.
At y = 0, J = −10−4 xay . Current:
Z 1 Z 2 Z 2
I= −4
(−10 xay ) · (−ay ) dx dz = 10 −4
x dx = 2 × 10−4 A. (25)
0 0 0

5 Conclusion
This chapter has covered electromagnetic boundary conditions for magnetic and
electric fields, essential for understanding field behavior at material interfaces.
Numerical problems demonstrate practical applications, from charge placement
to capacitor design. These concepts are foundational for electromagnetic engi-
neering, enabling precise analysis and design of complex systems.