Understanding the Solution to an Integral: A 3D Case

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdstokes
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    3d Integral
Click For Summary
The integral under discussion is evaluated over three-dimensional space, specifically \(\int_{\mathbb{R}^3} \frac{e^{i \mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{a}}}{\sqrt{r^2+1}}d\mathbf{x}\), where \(r = \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}\). The transformation involves expressing the dot product \(\mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{a}\) in terms of spherical coordinates, leading to the volume element \(d^3x = x^2 dx d\phi d \cos \theta\). The integral is then simplified to a form involving \(u\) and the exponential terms, resulting in \(2\pi \int_0^{\infty}\frac{1}{\sqrt{r^2 +1}}\frac{e^{iua}-e^{-iua}}{iua}u^2du\). The discussion seeks clarification on the derivation of this transformation step. Understanding this process is crucial for solving the integral effectively.
jdstokes
Messages
520
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



I'm trying to understand the solution to this integral

\int_{\mathbb{R}^3} \frac{e^{i \mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{a}}}{\sqrt{r^2+1}}d\mathbf{x}

where d\mathbf{x} =dxdydz, r = \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2},\mathbf{a}\in \mathbb{R}^3

The Attempt at a Solution



\int_{\mathbb{R}^3} \frac{e^{i \mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{a}}}{\sqrt{r^2+1}}d\mathbf{x} = 2\pi \int_0^{\infty}\frac{1}{\sqrt{r^2 +1}}\frac{e^{iua}-e^{-iua}}{iua}u^2du

Could anyone please explain to me how this first step was obtained?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
jdstokes said:

Homework Statement



I'm trying to understand the solution to this integral

\int_{\mathbb{R}^3} \frac{e^{i \mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{a}}}{\sqrt{r^2+1}}d\mathbf{x}

where d\mathbf{x} =dxdydz, r = \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2},\mathbf{a}\in \mathbb{R}^3

The Attempt at a Solution



\int_{\mathbb{R}^3} \frac{e^{i \mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{a}}}{\sqrt{r^2+1}}d\mathbf{x} = 2\pi \int_0^{\infty}\frac{1}{\sqrt{r^2 +1}}\frac{e^{iua}-e^{-iua}}{iua}u^2du

Could anyone please explain to me how this first step was obtained?

Just write \vec{x} \cdot \vec{a} = x a cos \theta and the volume element as d^3 x =x^2 dx d\phi d \cos \theta and integrate over cos theta from -1 to 1.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K