- #1
hotcommodity
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Hello,
This isn't a homework question, just a curious question. I've been working on problems involving Ampere's Law and slabs of current density J.
I've drawn a diagram to illustrate my question:
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t748n
Here, two infinite slabs of current are placed one on top of the other, in the xz-plane. The magnitudes and directions of Jin and Jout are such that the magnetic field outside the slabs is zero (i.e. B = 0 for y>d and y<-d). Also, I assume that the current densities vary with distance inside the slab (because if they didn't, I could simply take my entire Amperian loop inside of each slab centered on the middle of the slab). Therefore, if the current densities are functions of distance y, I have to hang my Amperian loop outside of the slabs where the magnetic field is zero.
I'm trying to use Ampere's Law to find the magnetic field inside each slab (i.e. 0<y<d and -d<y<0). The textbook I've been working with (among other sources) draw the Amperian loops similar to loops 1 and 2 in the diagram. The red part of each loop is the part I'm solving for. Each of the other 3 segments either cancel by symmetry, or the field is zero along that path.
So here's where I'm confused: I don't understand why loops 1 and 2 are correct (or are they?). Loop 1 doesn't seem to account for the field produced by the bottom slab of current. It would make more sense (to me) if loops 3 and 4 were the correct loops. As loop 3 accounts for the field produced by the bottom slab, and loop 4 accounts for the field produced by the top slab. Can anyone explain this?
Thanks in advance!
This isn't a homework question, just a curious question. I've been working on problems involving Ampere's Law and slabs of current density J.
I've drawn a diagram to illustrate my question:
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t748n
Here, two infinite slabs of current are placed one on top of the other, in the xz-plane. The magnitudes and directions of Jin and Jout are such that the magnetic field outside the slabs is zero (i.e. B = 0 for y>d and y<-d). Also, I assume that the current densities vary with distance inside the slab (because if they didn't, I could simply take my entire Amperian loop inside of each slab centered on the middle of the slab). Therefore, if the current densities are functions of distance y, I have to hang my Amperian loop outside of the slabs where the magnetic field is zero.
I'm trying to use Ampere's Law to find the magnetic field inside each slab (i.e. 0<y<d and -d<y<0). The textbook I've been working with (among other sources) draw the Amperian loops similar to loops 1 and 2 in the diagram. The red part of each loop is the part I'm solving for. Each of the other 3 segments either cancel by symmetry, or the field is zero along that path.
So here's where I'm confused: I don't understand why loops 1 and 2 are correct (or are they?). Loop 1 doesn't seem to account for the field produced by the bottom slab of current. It would make more sense (to me) if loops 3 and 4 were the correct loops. As loop 3 accounts for the field produced by the bottom slab, and loop 4 accounts for the field produced by the top slab. Can anyone explain this?
Thanks in advance!