Are These Vector Multiplication Identities Under Integration Correct?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the correctness of vector multiplication identities involving the Kronecker delta under integration, specifically in the context of summation convention. The identities in question relate to vector components and their products in a three-dimensional space.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the summation convention on the identities presented. Some question the clarity of notation and the number of dimensions involved. Others express uncertainty about the application of the convention and seek clarification on specific identities.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering insights and questioning assumptions. Some identities are tentatively accepted while others remain under scrutiny. There is a recognition of the need for clarity regarding the use of indices and the dimensional context of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the use of the summation convention and its implications for the identities being discussed. There is also a reference to working in three dimensions, which may affect the interpretation of the identities.

MadMax
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Are the following identities correct? (They are under integration btw... and we are using the summation convention...)

1.) [tex]\delta_{ij}\delta_{ji}=1[/tex]

2.) [tex]\delta_{ij}a_j a_i = a^2[/tex]

3.) [tex]q_i q_j \delta_{ji} = q^2[/tex]

4.) [tex]q_i q_j a_j a_i = q^2 a^2[/tex]


My input:

kronecker delta's are equal to one if i=j and zero other wise... ?

a_i a_i = a^2... ?

q_i q_j = q^2 delta_ij... ?

Cheers
 
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Show us what you think and why. This is not an answer factory ( you should know that after 55 posts ).
 
lol yeah i realized that a few minutes after posting. I edited my first post so it shows my reasoning...

thanks
 
Your notation is not clear to me. Do you sum over repeated indexes ?

For instance in question 2, how many [tex]a_i[/tex]s are there ?
 
MadMax said:
Are the following identities correct? (They are under integration btw...)

1.) [tex]\delta_{ij}\delta_{ji}=1[/tex]

It depends. In how many dimensions are you working?
2.) [tex]\delta_{ij}a_j a_i = a^2[/tex]

3.) [tex]q_i q_j \delta_{ji} = q^2[/tex]
Right, assuming Einstein's summation convention.
4.) [tex]q_i q_j a_j a_i = q^2 a^2[/tex]
No. Check again the indices.
 
Hmm not sure whether the summation convention is being used or not to be honest. I can give you two identities that I'm 100% sure of and perhaps it will be clear then...

[tex]\hat{r_i} \delta_{ij} \hat{r_j} = 1[/tex]

[tex]\hat{r_i} q_i q_j \hat{r_j} = (q \cdot \hat{r})^2[/tex]

As for how many a_i 's there are, I'm not sure I understand the question but perhaps it is answered if I say that i and j can take the values 1, 2 or 3?
 
hmm actually I do reckon I'm using the summation convention...

Ok so considering nrqed's post I guess for the first one the answer is 3...? (I'm working in 3 dimensions).

So the second and third are OK...

The last one I really have no idea how to tackle. Using the summation convention we are bound to end up with something with no indices (repeated indices cancel and are summed over) so perhaps I'm missing some unit vectors?

Thanks for the help so far guys.
 
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Regarding 2 and 3, if the a_i are components of a vector and a^2 = a.a then they are correct. I think 4 is [tex]\vec{a}.\vec{q}[/tex]

[edit] nrqed is right (a.q)^2
 
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MadMax said:
hmm actually I do reckon I'm using the summation convention...

Ok so considering nrqed's post I guess for the first one the answer is 3...? (I'm working in 3 dimensions).

So the second and third are OK...

The last one I really have no idea how to tackle. Using the summation convention we are bound to end up with something with no indices (repeated indices cancel and are summed over) so perhaps I'm missing some unit vectors?

Thanks for the help so far guys.


[itex]a_i q_i[/itex] is simply equal to [itex]a \cdot q[/itex], the inner product between the two vectors (the usual dot or scalar product if you are in the usual Euclidian three-dimensional space). So your question number 4 simply gives [itex](a \cdot q) (a \cdot q) = (a \cdot q)^2[/itex].

Patrick

NOTE ADDED: notice that [itex]\delta_{ij} \delta_{ij} = \delta_{ii} = N[/itex] assuming that you are in Euclidian space and where N is the number of dimensions.
 
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Thank you very much guys. :)
 

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