Homework Help: Calculating Divergence With Spherical Coords

1. Sep 12, 2010

maherelharake

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Calculate div v.

v= r sin(θ) r + r sin(2θ) cos(φ) θ + r cos(2θ) φ.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I've never had to do a problem like this using spherical coords, so I am not sure where to start. I have the general formula though.

2. Sep 12, 2010

Dick

What you've shown is not a vector. I'm guessing you omitted putting hats on some of the symbols, like $$\hat r$$. But if you have the formula for a gradient in spherical coordinates, just use it. Find the functions in front of $$\hat r$$, $$\hat \theta$$ and $$\hat \phi$$ and use it.

3. Sep 12, 2010

maherelharake

4. Sep 12, 2010

Dick

Some parts are right. You got some extra hats hanging around. The divergence should be a scalar, right? It shouldn't have any vector parts. And you haven't expanded your derivatives yet.

5. Sep 12, 2010

maherelharake

Thank you for responding.
I was still working on it, I just wanted to see if I was on the right track. What about now?

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