A simple derivation is presented for the classical skin effect approximation in a good conductor of general shape. The requirements for the validity of the approximation are clearly presented. While two of these requirements are often stated, the third, which is a restriction on the variation of field along the surface of the conductor, is seldom mentioned in intermediate level textbooks on electromagnetism. The requirements are illustrated with a few simple examples.
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© 1990 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1990
American Association of Physics Teachers
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