Tutorial: Theoryandapplications …

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Tutorial: Theory and applicationsof the Maxwell stress tensorStanley Humphries, Copyright 2012Field PrecisionPO Box 13595, Albuquerque, NM 87192 : +1-505-220-3975Fax: +1-617-752-9077E mail: Maxwell stress tensor may be used to calculate electric and magneticforces on objects. The method is seldom discussed in introductory texts onelectromagnetism. Advanced texts often present the Maxwellstress tensoras a mathematical abstraction without explaining why is is useful. In reality,the method is essential for practical force calculations innumerical codes. Inthis tutorial, I will review the theory and emphasize the specific reasons whythe method is used. To illustrate, I will concentrate on magnetostatic Lorentz force density is familiar from basic electromagnetism courses:f=j B.(1)The vector quantityfis the force per volume in a region with magnetic fluxdensityBand current densityj.

The Maxwell stress tensor may be used to calculate electric and magnetic forces on objects. The method is seldom discussed in introductory texts on

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