Retarded potentials

[stunner5000pt]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Griffith's problem 10.8
Show that retarded potentials satisfy the Lorentz condition. Hint proceed as follows
a) Show that
\nabla\cdot\left(\frac{J}{R}\right)=\frac{1}{R}\le ft(\nabla\cdot\vec{J}\right)+\frac{1}{R}\left(\nab la '\cdot\vec{J}\right)-\nabla '\cdot\left(\frac{J}{R}\right)
b) Show that \nabla\cdot\vec{J}=-\frac{1}{c}\frac{\partial\vec{J}}{\partial t_{r}}\cdot(\nabla R)
c) Note that \vec{J}=\vec{J}\left(\vec{r'},t_{r}\right)
\nabla '\cdot J=-\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}-\frac{1}{c}\frac{\partial J}{\partial t_{r}}\cdot (\nabla ' R)

where \vec{R}=\vec{r}-\vec{r'}

2. The attempt at a solution

I managed to do the first and second parts but its the third part that i am unable to prove.
Ok so i know that \vec{J}=\vec{J}\left(\vec{r'},t_{r}\right)=\vec{J} \left(\vec{r'},t-\frac{\vec{r}-\vec{r'}}{c}\right)

To make it simpler for me to understand lets do it for one dimension.
\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial x'} = \frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial t_{r}}\frac{\partial t_{r}}{\partial x'}
But \frac{\partial t_{r}}{\partial x'}=\frac{1}{c}\frac{\partial R}{\partial x'}
so \frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial x'} = \frac{1}{c}\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial t_{r}}\frac{\partial R}{\partial x'}

THat explains the second term which i need to get in the proof. But how do i get the first term?

Also is it supposed to be \nabla\cdot J=-\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}
or is it supposed to be \nabla'\cdot J=-\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}

Thanks for your help!

[Reshma]

Use the product rules:
\vec \nabla \cdot \left(\frac{\vec J}{R}\right) = {1\over R}\left(\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec J\right) + \vec J \cdot \vec{\nabla} \left({1\over R}\right)

\vec{\nabla}' \cdot \left(\frac{\vec J}{R}\right) = {1\over R}\left(\vec{\nabla}' \cdot \vec J\right) + \vec J \cdot \vec{\nabla}' \left({1\over R}\right)

Where:

\vec R = \vec r -\vec{r}'

\vec \nabla ({1\over R}) = -\vec{\nabla}' ({1\over R})

[stunner5000pt]

i cna use that part for the first two
but i cannot get the second part to work

while i was asleep i thought of something though

does this work? I have clearly forgotten how to apply chain rule....

\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial x'}=\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial x'}+\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial t_{r}}\frac{\partial t_{r}}{\partial x'}\frac{\partial x}{\partial x'}

is this correct??

[Reshma]

i cna use that part for the first two
but i cannot get the second part to work

while i was asleep i thought of something though

does this work? I have clearly forgotten how to apply chain rule....

\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial x'}=\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial x'}+\frac{\partial J_{x}}{\partial t_{r}}\frac{\partial t_{r}}{\partial x'}\frac{\partial x}{\partial x'}

is this correct??

I will show you the steps for \vec \nabla \cdot \vec J

\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial x} = -{1\over c}\frac{\partial R}{\partial x}

So,
\vec \nabla \cdot \vec J = \frac{\partial J_x}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial J_y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial J_z}{\partial z}

= \frac{\partial J_x}{\partial t_r}\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial J_y}{\partial t_r}\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial J_z}{\partial t_r}\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial z}

= -{1\over c} \frac{\partial \vec {J}}{\partial t_r}\cdot (\vec \nabla R)

Can you prove the same for Div J'?

[stunner5000pt]

I will show you the steps for \vec \nabla \cdot \vec J

\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial x} = -{1\over c}\frac{\partial R}{\partial x}

So,
\vec \nabla \cdot \vec J = \frac{\partial J_x}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial J_y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial J_z}{\partial z}

= \frac{\partial J_x}{\partial t_r}\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial J_y}{\partial t_r}\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial J_z}{\partial t_r}\frac{\partial t_r}{\partial z}

= -{1\over c} \frac{\partial \vec {J}}{\partial t_r}\cdot (\vec \nabla R)

Can you prove the same for Div J'?

I got it now thanks a lot