Calculation of an integral with retarded time

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the equivalence of two integrals involving retarded time in the context of electrodynamics. The first integral is defined with a Dirac delta function and the second with a derivative of the position vector. The user seeks assistance in integrating with respect to the variable y and expresses difficulty in identifying the value of y that satisfies the condition for the delta function. The conversation references the Liénard-Wiechert potentials and includes a helpful external resource for further understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of retarded time in electrodynamics
  • Familiarity with Dirac delta functions and their properties
  • Knowledge of Liénard-Wiechert potentials
  • Basic calculus, particularly integration techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Dirac delta functions in multiple dimensions
  • Review the derivation of Liénard-Wiechert potentials
  • Explore Jacobian transformations in multivariable calculus
  • Read the referenced paper on retarded potentials for deeper insights
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, particularly those specializing in electrodynamics, graduate students studying advanced calculus, and researchers working with retarded potentials and delta functions.

FunWarrior
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Good morning.

I would like to prove that the integral

[itex]h^{\mu \nu} (\vec{r},t) = \int d \zeta \int d^3 \vec{y} \frac{F^{\mu \nu} (\zeta,\tilde{\tau}) \delta^{(3)} (\vec{r} - \vec{x}(\zeta,\tilde{\tau}))}{|\vec{r}-\vec{y}|}[/itex]

where [itex]\tilde{\tau} = t - |\vec{r}-\vec{y}|[/itex], is equal to

[itex]\int d \zeta \frac{F^{\mu \nu} (\zeta,\tau)}{|\vec{r}-\vec{x}(\zeta,\tau)| (1-\hat{n} \cdot \dot{\vec{x}}(\zeta,\tau))}[/itex]

where [itex]\displaystyle \hat{n}= \frac{\vec{r}-\vec{x}(\zeta,\tau)}{|\vec{r}-\vec{x}(\zeta,\tau)|}[/itex], [itex]\tau = t - |\vec{r}-\vec{x}(\zeta,\tau)|[/itex] and [itex]\dot{\vec{x}}(\zeta,\tau)[/itex] is the derivative of [itex]\vec{x}[/itex] with respect to his second variable.

I would like to integrate with respect to [itex]y[/itex] using the Dirac function [itex]\delta^{(3)}[/itex] but I don't manadge to find the value of [itex]\vec{y}[/itex] such that [itex]\vec{r} - \vec{x}(\zeta,\tilde{\tau})[/itex] vanishes. I also tried to use

[itex]\delta^{(3)} ( \vec{x} - \vec{a}) = \frac{\delta^{(3)} ( \vec{\xi} - \vec{\alpha})}{|J|}[/itex]

where [itex]\vec{\xi} = \vec{\xi} (\vec{x})[/itex], [itex]\vec{\alpha} = \vec{\xi} (\vec{a})[/itex] and [itex]J[/itex] is the Jacobian of the transformation of [itex]\vec{x}[/itex] into [itex]\vec{\xi}[/itex] but without success.

Thank you in advance for your help.
 
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