Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / ii / Paper 4 / 36B (Electrodynamics)

A dielectric is an electrically insulating material whose bound positive and negative charges can be displaced slightly by an electric field, producing electric polarization without sustained conduction current. Its macroscopic electric response is described by its permittivity.

The electric polarization $\mathbf{P}$ is electric dipole moment per unit volume. It producesThe electric displacement field $\mathbf{D}={ϵ}_0\mathbf{E}+\mathbf{P}$ is useful becauseso it separates free charge from the bound charge represented by $\mathbf{P}$. In a linear isotropic dielectric, $\mathbf{D}=ϵ\mathbf{E}$.

Spherical symmetry and Gauss's law for $\mathbf{D}$ give, on both sides of the interface,ThusWith $\mathbf{n}={\mathbf{e}}_r$ pointing from medium one to medium two, the net bound sheet charge at $r=R$ is the polarization jumpIf one assigns surface charge separately to the inner body and outer medium, their contributions are ${\mathbf{P}}_1\cdot \mathbf{n}$ and $-{\mathbf{P}}_2\cdot \mathbf{n}$; their sum is the displayed physical interface charge.

The magnetization $\mathbf{M}$ is magnetic dipole moment per unit volume. In magnetostatics it producesThe magnetic field intensity $\mathbf{H}=\mathbf{B}/{\mu }_0-\mathbf{M}$ obeysso $\mathbf{H}$ isolates free currents while $\mathbf{M}$ accounts for bound currents. For a linear isotropic material, $\mathbf{B}=\mu \mathbf{H}$.

Ampere's law for a circular loop around the free line current givesin both media. ThereforeAt $r=R$, the net bound surface-current density isHence its magnitude isand for a positive current along $+{\mathbf{e}}_z$ it points along $-{\mathbf{e}}_z$ when ${\mu }_1>{\mu }_2$, reversing when ${\mu }_1<{\mu }_2$.