Electromagnetic Waves

Tutorial - 1
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Q. 1 Find the direction of the gradient of the scalar field 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 2 𝑧 2 at
2

point (1, 1, 2).

Q. 2 Find the value of the constant C if the below vector field is solenoidal
̂.
𝑨 = (5𝑥 + 2𝑦)𝒊̂ + (3𝑦 − 𝑧)𝒋̂ + (2𝑥 − 𝐶 𝑧)𝒌
Q. 3 Using the properties of Dirac delta function, evaluate the following integrals:
5
(a) ∫0 cos 𝑥 ẟ(𝑥 − 𝜋) 𝑑𝑥
3
(b) ∫0 𝑥 3 ẟ(𝑥 + 1) 𝑑𝑥
2
(c) ∫0 (𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 + 2) ẟ(1 − 𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
1
(d) ∫−1 9𝑥 2 ẟ(3𝑥 + 1) 𝑑𝑥
2
(e) ∫−2(2𝑥 + 3) ẟ(3𝑥) 𝑑𝑥

Q. 4 The height of a hill (in feet) is given by the expression

ℎ(𝑥, 𝑦) = 10 (2𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 2 − 18𝑥 + 28𝑦 + 12)
where y represents the distance (in miles) in north, x is the distance east of south Hadley.
(a) Where is the top of the hill located?
(b) How high is the hill?
(c) How steep is the slop (in feet per mile) at a point one mile north and one mile east of south
Hardley? In what direction is the slop steepest, at that point?

Q. 5 (a) Consider two vector fields, 𝑭𝟏 = 𝑥 2 𝒛̂ and 𝑭𝟐 = 𝑥 𝒙 ̂+𝑦𝒚 ̂ + 𝑧 𝒛̂. Calculate the
divergence and curl of these. Which one of these can be written as the gradient of a scalar? Find
that scalar. Which one of these can be written as curl of a vector? Find that suitable vector.
(b) Show that the vector field, 𝑭𝟑 = 𝑦𝑧 𝒙 ̂ + 𝑧𝑥 𝒚 ̂ + 𝑥𝑦 𝒛̂ can be written both as the
gradient of a scalar and the curl of a vector. Find these scalar and vector potentials.

Q. 6 Check the divergence theorem for the function

̂
̂ + 𝑟 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 𝝓
𝑽 = 𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝒓̂ + 4𝑟 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝜽
over the volume of the “ice-cream cone” shown in the figure below, where the top surface is
spherical with a radius R and centered at origin.
Q.7 (a) Find the electric field a distance z above the center of a square loop having side a (see the
below Fig.) carrying uniform line charge λ.

(b) Find the electric field a distance z above the center of a circular loop of radius r (see the
below Fig.) that carries a uniform line charge λ.

Q. 8 A thick spherical shell carries charge density (see the below figure)
𝑘
𝜌 = 𝑟2 (𝑎 ≤ 𝑟 ≤ 𝑏)

Find the electric fields in the following domains: (i) 𝑟 < 𝑎, (ii) 𝑎 < 𝑟 < 𝑏, (iii) 𝑟 > 𝑏.
Plot |𝐸| as a function of 𝑟 for the case 𝑏 = 2𝑎.
Q. 9 Consider an infinite plane slab of thickness 2d and an uniform volume charge density ρ (see
the below Fig.). Find the electric field as a function of y, considering the center at y = 0. Plot E
versus y, assuming E positive when it points in the + y direction and negative when it points in the
− y direction.

Q. 10 As shown in the figure, consider two spherical cavities of radii a and b which are hollowed
out from the interior of a (neutral) conducting sphere of radius R. At the center of each cavity a
point charge, say 𝑞𝑎 and 𝑞𝑏 , is placed.
(a) Find the surface charges 𝜎𝑎 , 𝜎𝑏 , and 𝜎𝑅 .
(b) What is the field outside the conductor?
(c) What is the field within each cavity?
(d) What is the force on 𝑞𝑎 and 𝑞𝑏 ?
(e) How will these answers change if a third charge 𝑞𝑐 is brought near the conductor?