Poynting's theorem: differential and integral forms
1. Course: Electromagnetic Theory
paper code: EC 501
Course Coordinator: Arpan Deyasi
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
RCC Institute of Information Technology
Kolkata, India
Topic: Poynting’s Theorem
20-08-2025 Arpan Deyasi, EC501 1
Arpan Deyasi
Electromagnetic
Theory
2. Poynting’s Theorem
It states that time rate at which e.m energy in a finite volume decreases, is
equal to the rate of dissipation of energy in the form of Joule heat by the
e.m field, plus the rate at which energy is flowed out through the surface
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Electromagnetic
Theory
3. Proof
Work done dW F.dl
=
( )
dq E u B .dl
= +
( )
dq E u B .udt
= +
( )
dqE.udt dq u B .udt
= +
( )
dqE.udt dq u B .udt
= +
( )
dv E.udt
=
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4. dW E.Jdvdt
=
Proof
V
dW
P E.Jdv
dt
= =
Power delivered
From Maxwell’s equation at free space
0 0 0
E
B J
t
= +
( ) 0
0
1 E
J B
t
= −
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Theory
5. Proof
( ) 0
0
1
. . .
E
E J E B E
t
= −
( ) ( ) 0
0
1
. . .
E
B E E B E
t
= − −
( ) 0
0
1
. . .
B E
B E B E
t t
= − − −
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Electromagnetic
Theory
6. Proof
( ) ( ) ( )
0
0 0
1
. . . .
2 2
E J B H E B D E
t t
= − − −
( )
( ) ( )
0
V
0
0
V V
dW
B.H dv
dt 2 t
1
. E B dv D.E dv
2 t
= −
− −
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Theory
7. Proof
( )
( ) ( )
0
V
0
0
S V
dW
B.H dv
dt 2 t
1
E B .ds D.E dv
2 t
= −
− −
( ) ( )
( )
0
0
V V
0
S V
B.H dv D.E dv
2 t 2 t
1
E B .ds E.Jdv
− −
= +
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Theory
8. Proof
Electrostatic energy
2
0 0
E
V V
W E dv E.Ddv
2 2
= =
Total energy stored
2
B
0 0
V V
1
W B dv B.Hdv
2 2
= =
Magnetostatic energy
0
EB E B
0
V V
W W W E.Ddv B.Hdv
2 2
= + = +
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Theory
9. ( )
EB
0
S
dW dW 1
E B .ds
dt dt
− = +
Proof
Integral form of Poynting’s theorem
LHS describes time rate of decrease of total energy in e.m field
1st term in RHS denotes power delivered through the motion of free charges
2nd term in RHS signifies rate at which energy is carried out of volume
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10. Proof
Poynting’s vector is defined as
( )
0
1
S E B
=
Energy per unit time per unit area transported by the field
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11. Proof
EB
EB
V
dW d
U dv
dt dt
=
M
V
dW d
U dv
dt dt
=
Electromagnetic energy density
Mechanical energy density
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12. Proof
( )
EB M
0
V V S
d d 1
U dv U dv E B .ds
dt dt
− − =
EB M
V V S
d d
U dv U dv S.ds
dt dt
− − =
EB M
V V V
d d
U dv U dv .Sdv
dt dt
− − =
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13. Proof
( )
EB M
V V
d
U U dv .Sdv
dt
− + =
( )
EB M
.S U U
t
= − +
Differential form of Poynting’s theorem
Arpan Deyasi
Electromagnetic
Theory