Calculating Taylor Series for $\frac{1}{|R-r|}$ with R>>r

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the Taylor series for the function \(\frac{1}{|R-r|}\) under the condition that \(R \gg r\), where both \(R\) and \(r\) are vectors. The initial expression simplifies to \(\frac{1}{R \sqrt{1 - (2R \cdot r)/R^2 + (r^2)/(R^2)}}\). The first-order approximation yields \(\frac{1}{R} + \frac{R \cdot r}{R^3}\). The key step involves defining a small quantity \(\epsilon = r/R\) and expanding the function \(f(\epsilon) = (1 - 2\epsilon + \epsilon^2)^{-1/2}\) using Taylor series.

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I can't work out how to calculate the Taylor series for

[tex]\frac{1}{|R-r|}[/tex]

when R>>r, but they are both vectors. We were told to expand in r/R but I did the step below and I'm not sure where to go from there

I got to

[tex]\frac{1}{R \sqrt{1 - (2R.r)/R^2 + (r^2)/(R^2)}}[/tex]

I also know the result in first order is

[tex]\frac{1}{R} + \frac{R.r}{R^3}[/tex]
 
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Simplify and rewrite your expression as
[tex] \frac{1}{R \sqrt{1 - 2r/R + (r/R)^2}} [/tex]

Now define a (small) quantity ε =r/R in terms of which you have

[tex] \frac{1}{R \sqrt{1 - 2r/R + (r/R)^2}} =\frac{1}{R}f(\epsilon)[/tex]

Where
[tex]f(\epsilon)=(1-2\epsilon+\epsilon^2)^{-1/2}[/tex]

Expand f(ε) in Taylor series the usual way, then replace ε with r/R.
 

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