Deriving Quadrapole Expansion of Charge Distribution

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the quadrupole expansion of charge distribution, specifically the potential V_QUAD in a coordinate-free form. The participants clarify the mathematical expressions involved, emphasizing the dot product representation and the significance of the Kronecker delta in simplifying terms. The notation used is described as "coordinate free," meaning it remains valid regardless of the chosen coordinate system. The conversation highlights that the summation notation is a shorthand for expressing vector relationships in three-dimensional space. Overall, the discussion aims to demystify the mathematical derivation and notation used in the quadrupole expansion.
yungman
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V=\frac 1 {4\pi\epsilon_0}\int \frac {\rho(\vec r\;')}{\eta} \;d\;\tau'\;\hbox{ where }\; \vec{\eta} = \vec r - \vec r\;'

\vec r\; is the position vector of the field point and \;\vec r\;'\; is the position vector of the source point.

Using multiple expansion, the quadrapole term of potential

V_{QUAD} = \frac 1 {4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac 1 {2r^3}\int(r\;')^n(3\;cos^2\theta'-1)\rho(\vec r\;')d\tau'

The book go on to derive V_{QUAD} into coordinate free equation and I am lost. Please explain to me how the steps work:

The book claimed

V_{QUAD}= \frac 1 {4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac 1 {2\; r^3} \sum ^{3}_{i,j=1}\left [ \hat r_i \hat r_j \int[3r'_i r'_j -(r')^2\delta_{ij}]\rho(\vec r\;')d\;\tau'\right ]\;=\;\frac 1 {4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac 1 {2\; r^3} \left [ 3 \sum ^{3}_{i=1} \hat r_i r'_i \sum^3_{j=1} \sum^3_{j=1} \;=\; (r')^2\sum_{ij}\hat r_i\hat r_j \delta_{ij}\right]\rho(\vec r') \;d \;\tau'

\hbox{ Where }\; \delta _{ij} = \; \begin{array}{cc} 1 & i=j \\ 0 & i \neq j \end{array}

\sum ^{3}_{i=1} \hat r_i r'_i =\hat r \cdot \vec r\;' = r'cos\theta' = \sum ^{3}_{j=1} \hat r_j r'_j \;\hbox{ and }\;\sum_{i,j} \hat r_i \hat r_j \delta_{ij} = \sum \hat r_j \hat r_j = \hat r \cdot \hat r =1

Can anyone explain:
\sum ^{3}_{i=1} \hat r_i r'_i =\hat r \cdot \vec r\;' = r'cos\theta' = \sum ^{3}_{j=1} \hat r_j r'_j

and

\sum \hat r_j \hat r_j = \hat r \cdot \hat r =1
 
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yungman said:
Can anyone explain:
\sum ^{3}_{i=1} \hat r_i r'_i =\hat r \cdot \vec r\;' = r'cos\theta' = \sum ^{3}_{j=1} \hat r_j r'_j

and

\sum \hat r_j \hat r_j = \hat r \cdot \hat r =1


The first is just the definition of the dot product. i.e.:

\vec{A}\cdot\vec{B}=A_1B_1+A_2B_2+A_3B_3=\sum_{i=1}^3A_iB_i=ABcos\theta

The components are just numbered instead of lettered. A_1=A_x, and so on.

The second is just the dot product of a unit vector with itself. By definition, that is 1.
 


G01 said:
The first is just the definition of the dot product. i.e.:

\vec{A}\cdot\vec{B}=A_1B_1+A_2B_2+A_3B_3=\sum_{i=1}^3A_iB_i=ABcos\theta


The components are just numbered instead of lettered. A_1=A_x, and so on.

The second is just the dot product of a unit vector with itself. By definition, that is 1.

Thanks for your time.

Is that just mean both A and B are 3 space vector? Just that simple?! And they have to use the \sum_1^3 to confuse me?!
 


yungman said:
Thanks for your time.

Is that just mean both A and B are 3 space vector? Just that simple?! And they have to use the \sum_1^3 to confuse me?!

Yes, that's it. The point is that this notation is "coordinate free." It doesn't matter how you define your three orthogonal axes, the expression for the quadrupole potential in coordinate free notation will always look like this.

Using summation notation in this case, is just shorthand.

The Kroneker delta, \delta_{ij} just means that when i and j are not equal, that term does not contribute, since \delta_{ij}=0 for i\not=j and \delta_{ij}=1 for i=j.
 


G01 said:
Yes, that's it. The point is that this notation is "coordinate free." It doesn't matter how you define your three orthogonal axes, the expression for the quadrupole potential in coordinate free notation will always look like this.

Using summation notation in this case, is just shorthand.

The Kroneker delta, \delta_{ij} just means that when i and j are not equal, that term does not contribute, since \delta_{ij}=0 for i\not=j and \delta_{ij}=1 for i=j.

Thanks

I understand

\sum^3_{i=1}\vec r_i \vec r'_i = \vec r \cdot \vec r\;'What is \sum ^3_{i,j=1} \hat r_i \hat r_j?
 
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