1-15-2021

12.30-1.30 PM

Magnetostatics
by
Rajendra Singh
rsingh1_2@yahoo.com
Magnetic Vector Potential
If the curl of a vector field vanishes (everywhere), then the vector can be written as the
gradient of a scalar potential (V):
Since
For a scalar potential (V) in electrostatics,
E = - V,
If the divergence of a vector field vanishes (everywhere), then the vector can be expressed
as the curl of a vector potential (A):
Since,
We introduce a vector potential A in magneto-statics:

And

Any constant can be added to V without changing the value of E. Similarly, any function (whose curl
vanishes i.e. gradient of any scalar) can be added to A without changing B. The vector potential is not
unique-the gradient of any scalar function can be added to A without affecting the curl, since the curl of a
gradient is zero. This argument gives:
Similarly,
 With this condition on A, Ampere's law becomes

This is a form of Poisson's equation-or rather, it is three Poisson's equations, one

for each Cartesian component. Assuming J goes to zero at infinity, we can read off the
solution:

(If the current does not go to zero at infinity, we have to find other ways to get A)
It must be said that A is not as useful as V. For one thing, it's still a vector, and although above
eqn.s for A are somewhat easier to work with than the Biot-Savart law, you still have
argument about its components.

If we get away with a scalar potential,

but this is incompatible with Ampere's law, since the curl of a gradient is always zero. (A
magnetostatic scalar potential can be used, if you stick scrupulously to simply-connected
current-free regions, but as a theoretical tool it is of limited interest. Moreover,
since magnetic forces do no work, A does not admit a simple physical interpretation
in terms of potential energy per unit charge. Nevertheless, the vector potential has substantial
theoretical importance, as we shall see it later.