# Derivatives in spherical coordinates

In quantum mechanics the momentum operator is a constant multiplied by the partial derivative d/dx. In spherical coordinates it's turning into something like that:
constant*(1/r)(d^2/dr^2)r

can anyone explain please how this result is obtained?

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Dick
Homework Helper
That doesn't look like d/dx, it looks like the radial part of the laplacian. It's a second derivative. In general to convert derivatives between coordinate systems you use the chain rule for partial derivatives.

the momentum operator is often written as -ihd/dx... but in that case x is the position vector. More generally, the momentum op is -ihDel (Del = the gradient operator, more easily generalized to different coordinate systems). (note also that i have written 'h' but mean "h-bar").
As dick said, the operator you've shown doesn't look quite right... if something is only changing radially, then the grad in spherical is just d/dr (i believe).

sorry, my mistake.
I meant the radial part of the (momentum)^2 in spherical coordinates.

If the Hamiltonian is:
(Pr)^2/2m + L^2/2mr^2 +V(r)

what's wrong in writing (Pr)^2 as
-(hbar)^2*(d/dr)^2
?

why is it written like that:
(-(hbar)^2/r)*(d/dr)^2*r
?

Dick
Homework Helper
Because the grad^2 operator is only the sum of coordinate derivatives squared in cartesian coordinates. Spherical coordinates are curved. Here's a derivation.
http://planetmath.org/encyclopedia/%3Chttp://planetmath.org/?method=l2h&from=collab&id=76&op=getobj [Broken]

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Dick
Homework Helper
BTW there are much better ways to derive this using differential geometry, but it gives you an idea of WHY the answer isn't as simple as you think. No need to follow all of the details.

wow... I'll take a look at that, thanks!

Because the grad^2 operator is only the sum of coordinate derivatives squared in cartesian coordinates. Spherical coordinates are curved. Here's a derivation.
http://planetmath.org/encyclopedia/%3Chttp://planetmath.org/?method=l2h&from=collab&id=76&op=getobj [Broken]
Just want to thank you, this website is basically my homework assignment this week. I have been getting my *** worked until i found this.
THANK YOU

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