CSIR NET JRF Physics - Electromagnetism

Formulae and Solved PYQs

Part 1: Detailed Formulae

1. Gauss’s Law
Gauss’s law relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the charge enclosed.
• Integral Form: E ⃗ · d⃗a = Qenc
H
ε0

• Differential Form: ∇ · E
⃗ = ρ
ε0 (where ρ is volume charge density).

2. Electric Field (E.F.) due to Standard Geometries

• Infinite Straight Wire (linear charge density λ): E = λ
2πε0 r (radially outward).

• Charged Ring (radius R, total charge q) at a distance z on its axis: Ez = 1 qz

4πε0 (z 2 +R2 )3/2

• Infinite Sheet (surface charge density σ): E = σ

2ε0 (normal to the sheet).

3. Ampere’s Law
Relates the integrated magnetic field around a closed loop to the electric current passing through the
loop.
• Integral Form (Magnetostatics): B ⃗ · d⃗l = µ0 Ienc
H

⃗ = µ0 J⃗ + µ0 ε0 ∂ E⃗
• Differential Form (with Maxwell’s Displacement Current): ∇ × B ∂t

4. Magnetic Field due to Standard Geometries

µ0 IR2
• Circular Ring (radius R, current I) at a distance z on its axis: Bz = 2(z 2 +R2 )3/2

• Infinite Solenoid (n turns per unit length): B = µ0 nI (inside) and B = 0 (outside).

• Infinite Sheet (surface current density K):

⃗ B ⃗ = µ0 ⃗
2 (K × n̂) (where n̂ is the unit normal vector
pointing away from the sheet).

• Infinite Straight Wire: B = µ0 I

2πr

5. Magnetic Moment
• Magnetic Dipole Moment (Loop): m ⃗ (where A
⃗ = IA ⃗ is the vector area of the loop).

• Torque on a Dipole: ⃗τ = m ⃗
⃗ ×B
• Potential Energy of a Dipole: U = −m ⃗
⃗ ·B

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6. Potential Formulation & Gauge Transformations
⃗
• Electric and Magnetic Fields from Potentials: E
⃗ = −∇V − ∂A
∂t ,
⃗ =∇×A
B ⃗

• Gauge Transformations: The fields remain invariant if potentials are transformed via an arbi-
⃗′ = A
trary scalar function λ: A ⃗ + ∇λ, V ′ = V − ∂λ
∂t

• Lorentz Gauge Condition: ∇ · A

⃗ + µ0 ε0 ∂V = 0
∂t

• Coulomb Gauge Condition: ∇ · A

⃗=0

7. Relativistic Electrodynamics (Lorentz Transformations of Fields)

For a frame S ′ moving with velocity ⃗v = vx̂ relative to frame S, the fields transform as:
• Ex′ = Ex , Ey′ = γ(Ey − vBz ), Ez′ = γ(Ez + vBy )
• Bx′ = Bx , By′ = γ(By + v
c2 Ez ), Bz′ = γ(Bz − v
c 2 Ey )
1
(Where γ = √ )
1−v 2 /c2

• Lorentz Invariants: E
⃗ ·B
⃗ and E 2 − c2 B 2 remain constant in all inertial frames.

8. Faraday’s Law of Induction

A changing magnetic flux induces an electromotive force (EMF).

• Integral Form: E ⃗ · d⃗l = − dΦB (where ΦB = B ⃗ · d⃗a)

H R
dt

⃗
• Differential Form: ∇ × E
⃗ = − ∂B
∂t

9. Motional EMF
EMF induced on a conductor moving through a magnetic field.

• General Formula: ε = (⃗v × B)⃗ · d⃗l

H

• Straight Rod (length l) moving at velocity v perpendicular to uniform B: ε = Blv

10. EM Waves: Poynting Vector, Energy, Pressure

• Poynting Vector (Energy flux density): S
⃗= 1 ⃗
µ0 (E
⃗
× B)

• Energy Density: u = 12 ε0 E 2 + 1 2
2µ0 B . For EM waves in vacuum, u = ε0 E 2 .

• Average Intensity: I = ⟨S⟩ = 21 cε0 E02

• Radiation Pressure: Prad = I

c (for complete absorption) or Prad = 2I
c (for complete reflection).

Part 2: Solved CSIR NET PYQs

PYQ 1: Relativistic Electrodynamics (Lorentz Transformations)
Question (CSIR NET Concept): In an inertial frame S, the magnetic field is B ⃗ = B0 ẑ and the
⃗
electric field is E = 0. What are the electric and magnetic fields in another inertial frame S ′ moving
with velocity ⃗v = v x̂ with respect to S?
Solution: We use the Lorentz transformation rules for the electric and magnetic fields provided in
Topic 7. Given in frame S: Ex = 0, Ey = 0, Ez = 0, Bx = 0, By = 0, Bz = B0 . Velocity of frame S ′ : v
along the x-axis.

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 1. Transforming the Electric Field:
Ex′ = Ex = 0
Ey′ = γ(Ey − vBz ) = γ(0 − vB0 ) = −γvB0
Ez′ = γ(Ez + vBy ) = γ(0 + 0) = 0
⃗ ′ = −γvB0 ŷ
So, E
2. Transforming the Magnetic Field:
Bx′ = Bx = 0
By′ = γ(By + cv2 Ez ) = γ(0 + 0) = 0
Bz′ = γ(Bz − cv2 Ey ) = γ(B0 − 0) = γB0
⃗ ′ = γB0 ẑ
So, B
⃗ ′ = −γvB0 ŷ and B
Final Answer: The fields in S ′ are E ⃗ ′ = γB0 ẑ.

PYQ 2: Magnetic Field of an Infinite Sheet

Question (CSIR NET Dec 2014 Type): An infinite conducting sheet lying in the x − y plane carries
⃗ = K î. What is the magnetic field B
a uniform surface current density K ⃗ for the regions z > 0 and
z < 0?
Solution: We use the standard formula for an infinite current sheet (Topic 4): B ⃗ = µ0 (K⃗ × n̂).
2
⃗ = K î. The unit normal vector n̂ points away from the sheet into the
Here, the current density is K
region of interest.

1. For z > 0 (above the sheet):

The normal vector points upwards: n̂ = k̂.
⃗ = µ0 (K î × k̂)
B 2
Since î × k̂ = −ĵ, we get:
⃗ = − µ0 K ĵ
B 2

2. For z < 0 (below the sheet):

The normal vector points downwards: n̂ = −k̂.
⃗ = µ0 (K î × −k̂)
B 2
Since î × (−k̂) = ĵ, we get:
⃗ = µ0 K ĵ
B 2

⃗ = − µ0 K ĵ for z > 0 and B

Final Answer: B ⃗ = µ0 K
2 2 ĵ for z < 0.

PYQ 3: Energy Density of an EM Wave

Question (CSIR NET Dec 2016 Type): A plane electromagnetic wave propagating in free space is
given by the electric field E⃗ = E0 cos(ωt − kz)î. What is the time-averaged energy density of this wave?
Solution: The total instantaneous energy density u of an electromagnetic wave is the sum of the
electrical and magnetic energy densities (Topic 10):
u = uE + uB = 12 ε0 E 2 + 2µ1 0 B 2
For an EM wave propagating in a vacuum, the electric and magnetic energy densities are equal
(uE = uB ). Therefore, the total instantaneous energy density can be written entirely in terms of the
electric field:
u = 2uE = 2 12 ε0 E 2 = ε0 E 2

Substitute the given electric field equation:

u = ε0 [E0 cos(ωt − kz)]2 = ε0 E02 cos2 (ωt − kz)
To find the time-averaged energy density ⟨u⟩, we average the function over one full cycle. The time
average of cos2 (ωt − kz) over a full cycle is 12 .
⟨u⟩ = ε0 E02 ⟨cos2 (ωt − kz)⟩ = 12 ε0 E02
Final Answer: The average energy density of the wave is 12 ε0 E02 .

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Part 3: Recent Important CSIR NET PYQs
PYQ 4: Displacement Current & Ampere-Maxwell Law
Question: A parallel plate capacitor with circular plates of radius R is being charged. The electric field
E between the plates is changing at a constant rate dE dt = k. What is the magnitude of the induced
magnetic field B at a distance r (where r < R) from the central axis of the plates?
H Solution: We use the Ampere-Maxwell law, which includes the displacement current:
⃗ · d⃗l = µ0 (Ic + Id )
B
Inside the capacitor, there is no actual conduction current, so Ic = 0. The displacement current Id is
given by:
Id = ε0 dΦ E
dt

1. Calculate the electric flux (ΦE ): For a loop of radius r, the flux is ΦE = E · (πr2 ).
2. Find the rate of change of flux:
dΦE 2 dE 2
dt = πr dt = πr k

3. Apply Ampere-Maxwell Law:

The line integral of the

magnetic field around the circular loop is B(2πr).
B(2πr) = µ0 ε0 πr2 k
B = 12 µ0 ε0 kr

Final Answer: The magnetic field inside the capacitor is 12 µ0 ε0 kr.

PYQ 5: Motional EMF & Magnetic Drag

Question: A perfectly conducting straight wire of length L is pulled with a constant velocity v perpen-
dicular to a uniform magnetic field B. The ends of the wire slide along conducting rails connected to
a resistance R, forming a closed loop. What is the mechanical power required by an external agent to
maintain this constant velocity?
Solution:
1. Calculate the induced Motional EMF (ε):
ε = BLv
2. Find the induced current (I):
Using Ohm’s law for the closed loop:
I = Rε = BLv
R

3. Determine the opposing magnetic force (Fm ):

A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field experiences a force F⃗ = I(L
⃗ × B).
⃗ This force acts in
the opposite direction of the motion (Lenz’s Law).
2 2
Fm = ILB = BLv LB = B RL v


R

4. Calculate Mechanical Power (P ):

To keep the wire moving at a constant velocity, the external applied force must perfectly balance
the magnetic force (Fext = Fm ).
Power is forcetimes  velocity:
B 2 L2 v 2 2 2
P = Fext v = R v = B LR v

B 2 L2 v 2
Final Answer: The mechanical power required is R .

PYQ 6: Gauss’s Law in Differential Form

Question: The electrostatic potential in a region of space is given by V (r) = V0 e−αr , where r is the
radial distance from the origin in spherical coordinates, and V0 and α are positive constants. Find the
volume charge density ρ(r) in this region.
Solution: This requires finding the electric field first, and then applying the differential form of
Gauss’s Law: ∇ · E ⃗ = ρ.
ε0

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 1. Find the Electric Field (E): ⃗
⃗ = −∇V
E
Since V only depends on r, we use the radial component of the spherical gradient:
⃗ = − ∂V r̂ = − ∂ (V0 e−αr ) r̂ = V0 αe−αr r̂
E ∂r ∂r

2. Apply Divergence in Spherical Coordinates:

⃗ =
The divergence of a purely radial vector field is ∇ · E 1 ∂ 2
r 2 ∂r (r Er ).
⃗ 1 ∂ −αr
2


∇ · E = r2 ∂r r V0 αe
Using the product rule:
⃗ = V02α 2re−αr + r2 (−α)e−αr
 
∇·E r
⃗ = V0 αe−αr 2 − α


∇·E r

3. Equate to Gauss’s
Law:

ρ −αr 2
ε0 = V0 αe r −α

2
− α e−αr .


Final Answer: The volume charge density is ρ(r) = ε0 V0 α r

PYQ 7: Magnetic Moment of a Rotating Charge Distribution

Question: A thin, uniform circular insulating disc of radius R carries a uniform surface charge density
σ. If the disc rotates with a constant angular velocity ω about its central perpendicular axis, what is its
total magnetic dipole moment?
Solution: We treat the rotating disc as a series of concentric current-carrying rings.

1. Define a differential ring:

Consider a very thin ring of radius r and thickness dr.
The area of this ring is dA = 2πrdr.
The charge on this ring is dq = σdA = σ(2πrdr).

2. Calculate the equivalent current (dI):

2π
Current is charge per unit time. The time for one full rotation is the period T = ω .
σ(2πrdr)
dI = dq
T = 2π = σωrdr
ω

3. Calculate the differential magnetic moment (dm):

The magnetic moment of a current loop is I × Area. The area enclosed by our differential ring is
πr2 .
dm = dI(πr2 ) = (σωrdr)(πr2 ) = πσωr3 dr
4. Integrate over the entire disc:
RR h 4 iR 4
m = 0 πσωr3 dr = πσω r4 = πσωR
4
0

πσωR4
Final Answer: The magnetic dipole moment of the rotating disc is 4 .