Intrinsic symmetry of Ampere's circuital law and other educational issues

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Joaquim Anacleto (Author) Other; Jose Manuel M M de Almeida (Author) FCUP; Ferreira, JM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Canadian Journal of Physics

Vol. 90

Pages: 67-72

ISSN: 0008-4204

Publisher: NRC Research Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Physical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-H4W

DOI: 10.1139/p11-141

Abstract (EN): This paper explores Ampere's circuital law (ACL) from an educational perspective. The interchangeability of the amperian loop with the current loop, an intrinsic symmetry of ACL that is seldom addressed in the literature or textbooks, is illustrated here. It is verified that the symmetry axis of a circular current is an amperian loop. The attempt to apply ACL to a finite wire, a common source of student misunderstanding, is used to highlight the limitations of ACL. The generalisation of ACL is illustrated using an instructive example where the displacement current is unconfined and not spatially uniform. This work is primarily intended for teachers and more advanced undergraduate students, who may benefit from the ideas that are presented here.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6