Chapter 5

Magnetostatic Field

Electrostatic fields study the behavior of stationary electric charges. This chapter exam-
ines the effects of charges moving at constant velocity, which generate static magnetic
fields. Such steady charge motion constitutes a direct current (DC), making DC-carrying
conductors our primary focus for magnetostatic field sources. Permanent magnets and
electron beams can also produce static magnetic fields, but these are beyond our current
scope.
Similar to electrostatics, magnetostatics has two fundamental laws: the Biot–Savart
Law and Ampère’s Circuit Law. The latter represents a special case of the former,
analogous to how Gauss’s Law relates to Coulomb’s Law.
Key applications of magnetostatic fields include:

• DC motors and generators

• Transformers

• Maglev trains

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

5.1 Biot–Savart Law

The Biot–Savart Law states that the magnetic field intensity H (A/m) at a point P
due to a differential current element I dl (see Figure 5.1) is:

• proportional to I dl sin α,

• inversely proportional to R2 ,

• perpendicular to both I dl and R (the vector from the element to P ).

1
 Figure 5.1: Magnetic field dH at P due to a current element I dl.

Mathematically:
I dl × aR I dl × R
dH = 2
= , (5.1)
Z 4πR 4πR3
I dl × aR
H= . (5.2)
4πR2
For different current distributions:
• Surface current (surface current density K, A/m):
K dS × aR
Z
H= .
S 4πR2

• Volume current (volume current density J, A/m2 ):

J dV × aR
Z
H= .
V 4πR2

Here aR is a unit vector pointing from the differential current element to the point
of interest P . The field direction follows the right-hand rule (conventional current). In
diagrams, ⊙ indicates a vector pointing out of the page and ⊗ into the page.

5.1.1 Field from a Straight Current Segment

Consider a straight conductor along the z-axis (Figure 5.2). The magnetic field at a point
P in the aϕ direction is:
I ρ dz
dH = aϕ , (5.3)
4π[ρ2 + z 2 ]3/2
I

H= cos α2 − cos α1 aϕ , (5.4)
4πρ
where α1 and α2 are the angles subtended at P by the ends of the segment, measured
from the perpendicular to the wire.

2
 Figure 5.2: Field at point P due to a straight filamentary conductor.

Special cases:

• Semi-infinite wire (α2 → 0, α1 = π/2):

I
H= aϕ .
4πρ

• Infinite wire (α2 → 0, α1 = π):

I
H= aϕ .
2πρ

5.1.2 Field from a Current Loop

For a circular loop of radius ρ lying in the z = 0 plane (Figure 5.3), the magnetic field on
the z-axis is:
Iρ2
H=  3/2 az , (5.5)
2 ρ2 + h2
where h is the distance from the centre of the loop to the field point.

3
 Figure 5.3: Field at P due to a current loop in the z = 0 plane.

5.1.3 Field Inside a Solenoid

A solenoid of length ℓ with N total turns (number of turns per unit length n = N/ℓ)
produces a magnetic field along its axis (Figure 5.4):

nI

H= cos θ2 − cos θ1 az , (5.6)
2
where θ1 and θ2 are the angles from the field point to the near and far ends, respectively.
For an infinite solenoid (ℓ ≫ a), θ1 → π, θ2 → 0, so

H = nI az . (5.7)

4
 Figure 5.4: Cross-section of a solenoid.

5.2 Ampère’s Circuit Law

Ampère’s Law states that the line integral of H around a closed path equals the net
current enclosed by that path: I
H · dl = Ienc . (5.8)
L

Using Stokes’ theorem, we obtain the differential form (Maxwell’s third equation for mag-
netostatics):
∇ × H = J. (5.9)

5.2.1 Applications of Ampère’s Law

Infinite Line Current
For an infinitely long straight filamentary current I along the z-axis (Figure 5.5), sym-
metry gives an Amperian path that is a circle of radius ρ:
I
I
H · dl = Hϕ (2πρ) = I ⇒ H = aϕ .
2πρ

5
 Figure 5.5: Ampere’s law applied to an infinite current filament.

Toroidal Coil
A toroid with N turns carrying current I (Figure 5.6) has magnetic field only inside the
core (ρ0 − a ≤ ρ ≤ ρ0 + a):
NI
H= aϕ ,
2πρ
and H = 0 elsewhere.

Figure 5.6: Field due to a toroidal current coil.

Infinite Current Sheet

An infinite sheet in the z = 0 plane carrying a uniform surface current density K (A/m)
produces a magnetic field that is constant on each side (Figure 5.7):
1
H= K × an ,
2

6
where an is the unit normal from the sheet to the point of interest.

Figure 5.7: Field due to an infinite current sheet.

5.3 Magnetic Flux Density

The magnetic flux density B (tesla, T) is related to H by the permeability of the medium.
In free space,
B = µ0 H,
where µ0 = 4π × 10−7 H/m (henrys per meter) is the permeability of free space.
Magnetic flux Φ (weber, Wb) through a surface S is defined as
Z
Φ= B · dS.
S

Because there are no isolated magnetic monopoles, the divergence of B is zero (Maxwell’s
fourth equation):
∇ · B = 0.

5.4 Magnetic Potentials

Analogous to the electric scalar potential, we can define:
• Magnetic scalar potential Vm (valid only in current-free regions, J = 0):
H = −∇Vm .

• Magnetic vector potential A (always valid):

B = ∇ × A.
For magnetostatic fields, we impose the Coulomb gauge ∇ · A = 0, which leads to
the vector Poisson equation:
∇2 A = −µJ.

7
5.5 Maxwell’s Equations for Static Fields
Differential form Integral form Description
I
∇ · D = ρv D · dS = Qenc Gauss’s law
I
∇·B=0 B · dS = 0 No magnetic monopoles
I
∇×E=0 E · dl = 0 Conservative electric field
I
∇×H=J H · dl = Ienc Ampère’s law

8
5.6 Examples
1. Find H at (0, 2, 5) due to side 3 of the triangular loop shown in Figure 5.8. The
current in the conductor is 10 A.

3 2

1
0 1 2 x

Figure 5.8: Problem 1.

Solution:

P
R2

1 2
3 R1
2
x 1 y

Figure 5.9: 3D visualization of Problem 1.

The direction of side 3 is from (1, 1, 0) to (0, 0, 0). Hence

−ax − ay
al = √ .
2
Vectors from the ends of the segment to the field point P (0, 2, 5):
−ax + ay
R1 = (0, 2, 0) − (1, 1, 0) = −ax + ay , aR1 = √ .
2

9
 R2 = (0, 2, 0) − (0, 0, 0) = 2ay , aR2 = ay .
The angles are found from dot products:
1
cos α1 = −al · aR1 = 0, cos α2 = −al · aR2 = √ .
2
The perpendicular distance ρ from the point to the line containing the segment:
√ the
line equation is y = x. Minimising the distance gives x = 1, y = 1, so ρ = 2. The
direction aϕ = al × aρ with aρ = aR1 :
   
−ax − ay −ax + ay
aϕ = √ × √ = −az .
2 2
Finally,
I 10 1 10
H= (cos α2 − cos α1 ) aϕ = − √ · √ az = − az A/m.
4πρ 4π 2 2 8π

2. A rectangular loop carries a current I (A) as shown in Figure 5.10. Calculate the
magnetic field intensity at the centre of the loop.

4 3

b
1 2

Figure 5.10: Problem 2.

Solution:
Using the formula for a finite straight wire, the contributions from each side are
added. The result (derived in the original notes) is:
2I √ 2
Hcentre = a + b2 az ,
πab
and at the top corner of the loop:
I √ 2
Hcorner = a + b2 az .
8πab

3. A plane y = 1 carries a surface current K = 50 az mA/m. Find H at P (0, 0, 0) and

Q(1, 5, −3).
Solution:
1
For an infinite sheet, H = K × an , where an points from the sheet to the field
2
point.

10
 At P (0, 0, 0): the sheet is at y = 1, so an = −ay .
1
H = (50 × 10−3 )(az × (−ay )) = 25 ax mA/m.
2
At Q(1, 5, −3): the point is above the sheet (y = 5 > 1), so an = +ay .
1
H = (50 × 10−3 )(az × ay ) = −25 ax mA/m.
2
4. A toroid of circular cross-section (centre at origin, axis on the z-axis) has 1000 turns,
ρ0 = 10 cm, a = 1 cm, and carries 100 mA. Find H at (3, 4, 0) cm and (6, 9, 0) cm.
Solution:
The toroidal core occupies ρ0 − a ≤ ρ ≤ ρ0 + a, i.e. 9 cm ≤ ρ ≤ 11 cm.
√
• Point (3, 4, 0): ρ = 32 + 42 = 5 cm → outside core → H = 0.
√ √
• Point (6, 9, 0): ρ = 62 + 92 = 117 ≈ 10.82 cm → inside core.
NI 1000 × 0.1
H= aϕ = aϕ ≈ 147.0 aϕ A/m.
2πρ 2π × 0.1082

5. A current distribution gives the vector magnetic potential A = x2 y ax + y 2 x ay −

4xy az Wb/m. Calculate B at (−1, 2, 5) and the magnetic flux through z = 1,
0 ≤ x ≤ 1, −1 ≤ y ≤ 4.
Solution:

ax ay az
B = ∇ × A = ∂x ∂y ∂z = −4x ax + 4y ay + (y 2 − x2 ) az .
x2 y y 2 x −4xy
At P (−1, 2, 5): B = 4 ax + 8 ay + 3 az Wb/m2 .
Flux through the given surface (dS = dx dy az ):
Z 4 Z 1
Φ= (y 2 − x2 ) dx dy
y=−1 x=0
4 1
x3
Z 
= y2x − dy
−1 3 x=0
Z 4 
2 1
= y − dy
−1 3
 3 4
y y
= − = 20 Wb.
3 3 −1

6. A 3-cm-long solenoid carries 400 mA and produces a magnetic flux density B = 5

mWb/m2 . How many turns are needed?
Solution:
N
For a long solenoid, B = µ0 nI = µ0 I. Thus
ℓ
Bℓ 5 × 10−3 × 0.03
N= = ≈ 298 turns.
µ0 I 4π × 10−7 × 0.4

11
7. A solenoid of radius 4 mm, length 2 cm, has 150 turns per metre and carries 500
mA. Find H at the centre and at the end of the solenoid.
Solution:
Number of turns N = nℓ = 150 × 0.02 = 3 turns.

• At the centre (h = ℓ/2 = 0.01 m):

nI ℓ/2
H= (cos θ2 − cos θ1 ) , cos θ1 = p , cos θ2 = cos(π−θ1 ) = − cos θ1 .
2 a + (ℓ/2)2
2

0.01
Hence H = nI cos θ1 = 150 × 0.5 × √ ≈ 69.6 A/m.
0.0042 + 0.012
• At the end (h = 0):

nI ℓ 0.02
H= cos θ2 , cos θ2 = √ =√ .
2 a2+ℓ 2 0.0042 + 0.022
150 × 0.5
Then H = × 0.9806 ≈ 36.8 A/m.
2
8. A plane x = 10 carries 100 mA/m along the z-axis; a line at x = 1, y = −2 carries
a filamentary current 20π mA along z. Find H at (4, 3, 2) cm.
Solution:
The point in metres: (0.04, 0.03, 0.02).

• From the sheet (x = 0.1 m): an points from the sheet to the point: (0.04 −
0.1) = −0.06, so an = −ax .
1 1
Hsheet = K × an = (0.1 az ) × (−ax ) = 0.05 ay A/m.
2 2

• From the line current at (0.01, −0.02, 0): I = 0.02π az A. Vector from line
√ point: R = (0.04 − 0.01)ax + (0.03 + 0.02)ay = 0.03ax + 0.05ay ; ρ =
to
0.032 + 0.052 ≈ 0.05831 m. aρ = (0.03ax + 0.05ay )/0.05831. aϕ = az × aρ =
(−0.05ax + 0.03ay )/0.05831.

I 0.02π
Hline = = ≈ 0.1715 A/m.
2πρ 2π × 0.05831
−0.05ax + 0.03ay
Hence Hline = 0.1715 × ≈ −0.1471ax + 0.0883ay A/m.
0.05831
Adding both contributions:

Htotal = (−0.1471)ax + (0.05 + 0.0883)ay = −0.1471ax + 0.1383ay A/m.

9. Given H = yz(x2 + y 2 )ax − y 2 xz ay + 4x2 y 2 az A/m, find J at (5, 2, −3) and the
current through the surface x = −1, 0 < y, z < 2.
Solution:

12
 J = ∇ × H. Computing the curl:
∂Hz ∂Hy ∂ ∂
(∇ × H)x = − = (4x2 y 2 ) − (−y 2 xz) = 8x2 y + y 2 x,
∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z
∂Hx ∂Hz ∂ ∂
(∇ × H)y = − = (yz(x2 + y 2 )) − (4x2 y 2 ) = y(x2 + y 2 ) − 8xy 2 ,
∂z ∂x ∂z ∂x
∂Hy ∂Hx ∂ ∂
(∇ × H)z = − = (−y 2 xz) − (yz(x2 + y 2 )) = −y 2 z − z(x2 + y 2 ) − y 3 .
∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y
At P (5, 2, −3):

J = (8 · 25 · 2 + 4 · 2)ax + (2(25 + 4) − 8 · 5 · 4)ay + (−4 · (−3) − (−3)(25 + 4) − 8)az

= 408ax − 134ay + 95az A/m2 .

Current through x = −1, 0 < y, z < 2:

Z 2Z 2 Z 2Z 2
I= Jx dy dz = (8(−1)2 y + y 2 (−1)) dy dz
0 0 0 0
Z 2Z 2 2
y3

2 2
= (8y − y ) dy dz = 2 4y −
0 0 3 0
 
8 80
= 2 16 − = ≈ 26.67 A.
3 3

10. For a current distribution in free space, A = (2x2 y + yz)ax + (xy 2 − xz 2 )ay −
(6xyz − 2x2 y 2 )az Wb/m. Find B and the magnetic flux through the loop x = 1,
0 < y, z < 1.
Solution:
B = ∇ × A. The curl is computed similarly; the final expression (given in the
original notes) is:

B = (−6xz + 4z 2 y + 2xz 2 )ax + (y + 4yz)ay + (y 2 − z 2 − 2x2 − z)az .

At x = 1, the flux through the square in the yz-plane is

Z 1Z 1 Z 1Z 1
Φ= Bx dy dz = (−6z + 4z 2 y + 2z 2 ) dy dz.
0 0 0 0
Z 1
Integrating first over y: (−6z + 4z 2 y + 2z 2 )dy = −6z + 2z 2 + 2z 2 = −6z + 4z 2 .
Z 1 0
2 4 5
Then (−6z + 4z )dz = −3 + = − Wb. The negative sign indicates the
0 3 3
direction of flux.
11. The positive y-axis (semi-infinite from the origin) carries a filamentary current 2 A
in the −ay direction. It is part of a larger circuit. Find H at (2, 3, 0) and (3, 12, −4).
Solution for (2, 3, 0):
The wire lies along y ≥ 0 with current in −ay direction. For a semi-infinite wire
starting at the origin and going to +∞, the field at a point is given by H =
I
(cos α2 − cos α1 )aϕ .
4πρ

13
 At P (2, 3, 0), the perpendicular distance to the y-axis is ρ = 2. The angle α1 is the
angle between the line carrying the current and the line from starting point of the
current to P . Thus cos α1 = −1. The angle α2 the angle between the current path
3
and the line from current end-point to P . Therefore, cos α2 = ay ·aR2 = √ =
√ 22 + 32
3/ 13.
Because the current is in −ay , the direction of aϕ is al × aρ = az . Thus:

2 √
H= (3/ 13 + 1) az ≈ 0.146 az A/m.
4π × 2
The point (3, 12, −4) is left as an exercise.

12. A thin ring of radius 5 cm lies in the plane z = 10 cm, centred at (0, 0, 10) cm, and
carries 50 mA in the aϕ direction. Find H at (0, 0, −1) cm and (0, 0, 10) cm.
Solution:
Ia2
For a loop on the z = 0 plane, the field on the z-axis is H = az . Here
2(a2 + z 2 )3/2
the loop is at z = 0.1 m, and we want points on the same vertical line.

• At (0, 0, −0.01) m: height relative to loop centre h = −0.01 − 0.1 = −0.11 m;

magnitude depends on h2 .

0.05 × (0.05)2 0.000125 0.000125

H=
3/2 = 3/2
= ≈ 35.4 A/m.
2 (0.05)2 + (−0.11)2 2(0.0025 + 0.0121) 2 × 0.01463/2

Direction: az (since the field of a loop is along the axis).

• At (0, 0, 0.1) m: exactly at the centre of the loop (h = 0):
0.05 × 0.0025 0.000125
H= = = 0.5 A/m.
2 × (0.0025)3/2 2 × 0.000125

13. A solenoid with radius 5 cm, length 75 cm, 2000 turns, carries 50 mA in the aϕ
direction. Find H at (0, 0, 0), (0, 0, 0.75) m, and (0, 0, 0.375) m.
Solution:
n = N/ℓ = 2000/0.75 ≈ 2666.67 turns/m.
ℓ 0.75
• At one end (z = 0): θ1 = 90◦ , θ2 such that cos θ2 = √ =√ ≈
a2 + ℓ 2 0.052 + 0.752
0.9989.
nI 2666.67 × 0.05
H= (cos θ2 − 0) ≈ × 0.9989 ≈ 66.6 A/m.
2 2

• At the other end (z = 0.75): similar magnitude.

ℓ/2 0.375
• At the centre (z = 0.375): cos θ1 = cos θ2 = p =√ ≈
a2 + (ℓ/2)2 0.052 + 0.3752
0.9912.
H = nI cos θ1 = 2666.67 × 0.05 × 0.9912 ≈ 132.2 A/m.

14
14. The y-axis and z-axis carry filamentary currents 10 A along ay and 20 A along −az ,
respectively. Find H at (−3, 4, 5) m.
Solution:
The field is the sum of the fields from two infinite wires.

• Wire along y-axis (x = 0, z = 0) with Iy p

= 10 A in ay : Perpendicular
√ distance
2 2
from P (−3, 4, 5) to the y-axis is ρy = (−3) + 5 = 34 ≈ 5.831 √ m. aϕ
for this wire: al = ay , aρ from the wire√ to P is (−3ax + 5az )/ 34. aϕ =
al × aρ = ay × (vector) = (5ax + 3az )/ 34 (normalised). Magnitude Hy =
√ 10 5a + 3az 10
I/(2πρy ) = 10/(2π 34). Hence Hy = √ · x√ = (5ax +
2π 34 34 2π · 34
5
3az ) = (5ax + 3az ) A/m.
34π
• Wire along z-axis (x = 0, y = 0) p with Iz = 20 A in −az : Perpendicular
distance from P to the z-axis is ρz = (−3)2 + 42 = 5 m. aρ = (−3ax +4ay )/5.
al = −az , so aϕ = (−az )×aρ = aρ ×az = (−4ax −3ay )/5 (after normalisation).
2 −4ax − 3ay 8
Hz = I/(2πρz ) = 20/(2π · 5) = 2/π. Thus Hz = · = − ax −
π 5 5π
6
ay .
5π
Adding:      
25 8 6 15
H= − ax + − ay + az .
34π 5π 5π 34π
25 8
Numerically: ≈ 0.234, ≈ 0.509, so Hx ≈ −0.275; Hy ≈ −0.382; Hz ≈ 0.140
34π 5π
A/m.

15. Consider the following arbitrary fields; determine which can possibly represent an
electrostatic or magnetostatic field in free space.

a). A = y cos(ax)ax + (y + e−x )ay

20
b). B = aρ
ρ
c). C = r2 sin θ aϕ

Solution:
For an electrostatic field, ∇ × E = 0; for a magnetostatic field, ∇ · B = 0 and
∇ × H = J (non-zero curl allowed). We check the necessary conditions:

• (a) ∇ · A = −ya sin(ax) + 1 ̸= 0, ∇ × A = −(e−x + cos(ax))az ̸= 0. So A is

neither electrostatic nor magnetostatic.
1 ∂ 20
• (b) ∇ · B = (ρ · ) = 0, ∇ × B = 0 (since only ρ component). Thus B
ρ ∂ρ ρ
could be an electrostatic field (irrotational).
• (c) ∇ · C = 0 (in spherical coordinates, the divergence of an aϕ field is zero).
1 ∂ 1 ∂
∇×C = (sin θ Cϕ ) ar − (rCϕ ) aθ ; this is not zero. So C could be
r sin θ ∂θ r ∂r
a magnetostatic field (solenoidal but not irrotational).

15
5.7 Exercises
1. Given the following values for P1 , P2 and I∆l (non-infinitesimal version of I dl),
calculate ∆H:

(a) P1 (0, 0, 2), P2 (4, 2, 0), 2πaz µA·m.

(b) P1 (0, 2, 0), P2 (4, 2, 0), 2πaz µA·m.
(c) P1 (1, 2, 3), P2 (−3, −1, 2), 2π(−ax + ay + 2az ) µA·m.

2. Express H in Cartesian components at P (0, 0.2, 0) in the field of:

(a) a current filament 2.5 A in the az direction at x = 0.2, y = 0.3.

(b) a coaxial cable centred on the z-axis with radii a = 0.3, b = 0.5, c = 0.6,
I = 2.5 A in the az direction in the centre conductor.
(c) three current sheets: 2.5ax A/m at y = 0.1, −1.4ax A/m at y = 0.15, and
−1.3ax A/m at y = 0.25.

3. (a) Evaluate the closed loop line integral of H about the rectangle P1 (2, 3, 4) →
P2 (4, 3, 4) → P3 (4, 3, 1) → P4 (2, 3, 1) → P1 , given H = 3zax − 2x3 az A/m.
(b) Determine the quotient of the closed line integral and the area enclosed by the
path as an approximation to (∇ × H)y .
(c) Determine (∇ × H)y at the centre of the area.

4. Evaluate both sides of Stokes’ theorem for H = 6xyax − 3y 2 ay A/m and the rect-
angular path around the region 2 ≤ x ≤ 5, −1 ≤ y ≤ 1, z = 0 (positive dS = az ).

5. A solid conductor of circular cross-section (radius a = 1 mm, homogeneous non-magnetic)

lies on the z-axis and carries a total current 20 A in the az direction. Find:

(a) Hϕ at ρ = 0.5 mm.

(b) Bϕ at ρ = 0.8 mm.
(c) The total magnetic flux per unit length inside the conductor.
(d) The total flux for ρ < 0.5 mm.
(e) The total magnetic flux outside the conductor.

6. A current filament of 3ax A lies along the x-axis. Find H in Cartesian components
at P (−1, 3, 2).

7. A hollow cylindrical shell of radius a is centred on the z-axis and carries a uniform
surface current density Ka aϕ .

(a) Show that H is not a function of ϕ or z.

(b) Show that Hϕ and Hρ are everywhere zero.
(c) Show that Hz = 0 for ρ > a.
(d) Show that Hz = Ka for ρ < a.
(e) If a second shell ρ = b carries Kb aϕ , find H everywhere.

8. Calculate ∇ × [∇(∇ · G)] if G = 2x2 yzax − 20yay + (x2 − z 2 )az .

16
 9. A long straight non-magnetic conductor of radius 0.2 mm carries a uniformly dis-
tributed current of 2 A DC.

(a) Find J within the conductor.

(b) Use Ampère’s law to find H and B within the conductor.
(c) Show that ∇ × H = J inside.
(d) Find H and B outside the conductor.
(e) Show that ∇ × H = J outside.

10. A solid non-magnetic conductor of circular cross-section (radius 2 mm) is inhomo-

geneous, with σ = 106 (1 + 106 ρ2 ) S/m. The conductor is 1 m long and has a voltage
of 1 mV between its ends. Find:

(a) H.
(b) The total magnetic flux inside the conductor.

11. Let A = (3y − z)ax + 2xzay Wb/m in a certain region of free space.

(a) Show that ∇ · A = 0.

(b) At P (2, 1, 3), find A, B, H, and J.

12. Let A = (3xy 2 − 2z)ax − 2x2 zay + (x + 2y)az Wb/m in free space. Find ∇ × ∇ × A
at P (−2, 3, −1).

Note: Exercises 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 and 12 are part of your group assignment.

17