PHY103 RM/TKG
Department of Physics, IIT Kanpur
Problem Set #02 Semester-III, 2024–25
Problem 01
Calculate the torque exerted on the square loop shown in Fig. 1, due to the circular loop
(assume r is much larger than a or b). If the square loop is free to rotate, what will its
equilibrium orientation be?
Figure 1
Problem 02
An infinitely long circular cylinder carries a uniform magnetization M parallel to its
axis. Find the magnetic field (due to M) inside and outside the cylinder.
Problem 03
A long circular cylinder of radius R carries a magnetization M = ks2 ϕ̂, where k is a
constant, s is the distance from the axis, and ϕ̂ is the usual azimuthal unit vector (see Fig.
3). Find the magnetic field due to M for points inside and outside the cylinder.
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PHY103 RM/TKG
Figure 3
Problem 04
1
Suppose the field inside a large piece of magnetic material is B0 , so that H0 = B − M,
µ0 0
where M is a ”frozen-in” magnetization.
(a) A small spherical cavity is hollowed out of the material (see Fig. 4). Find the field at
the center of the cavity in terms of B0 and M. Also find H at the center of the cavity,
in terms of H0 and M.
(b) Do the same for a long needle-shaped cavity running parallel to M.
(c) Do the same for a thin wafer-shaped cavity perpendicular to M.
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PHY103 RM/TKG
Figure 4
Problem 05
A coaxial cable consists of two very long cylindrical tubes, separated by linear insulating
material of magnetic susceptibility χm . A current I flows down the inner conductor and
returns along the outer one; in each case, the current distributes itself uniformly over the
surface (see Fig. 5).
Find the magnetic field in the region between the tubes. As a check, calculate the
magnetization and the bound currents, and confirm that (together, of course, with the free
currents) they generate the correct field.
Figure 5
Problem 06
Starting from the Lorentz force law in the form
Fmag = I(dl × B),
show that the torque on any steady current distribution (not just a square loop) in a uniform
field B is m × B.
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Problem 07
Find the force of attraction between two magnetic dipoles, m1 and m2 , oriented as shown
in Fig. 6, a distance r apart.
(a) Using the equation:
F = 2πIRB cos θ
(b) Using the equation:
F = ∇(m · B)
Figure 6
Problem 08
A uniform current density J = J0 ẑ fills a slab straddling the yz plane, from x = −a to
x = +a. A magnetic dipole m = m0 x̂ is situated at the origin.
(a) Find the force on the dipole using:
F = ∇(m · B)
(b) Do the same for a dipole pointing in the y direction: m = m0 ŷ.
(c) In the electrostatic case, the expressions F = ∇(p · E) and F = (p · ∇)E are equivalent
(prove it), but this is not the case for the magnetic analogs (explain why). As an
example, calculate (m · ∇)B for the configurations in (a) and (b).
Problem 09
An iron rod of length L and square cross section (side a) is given a uniform longitudinal
magnetization M, and then bent around into a circle with a narrow gap (width w), as shown
in Fig. 9. Find the magnetic field at the center of the gap, assuming w ≪ a ≪ L.
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PHY103 RM/TKG
Figure 9
Problem 10
A current I flows down a long straight wire of radius a. If the wire is made of a linear
magnetic material (copper, say, or aluminum) with magnetic susceptibility χm , and the
current is distributed uniformly throughout the wire:
(a) What is the magnetic field B(s) at a distance s from the axis (both inside and outside
the wire)?
(b) Find all the bound currents (volume and surface).
(c) What is the net bound current flowing down the wire?