# Deriving the square angular momentum in spherical coordinates

1. Dec 6, 2011

### Raziel2701

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I want to derive the square of the total angular momentum as shown here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_momentum_operator#Angular_momentum_computations_in_spherical_coordinates

2. Relevant equations

The x,y, and z components of angular momentum are shown in the above link. I'm attempting to solve it by $$L^2=(L_x)^2 + (L_y)^2+(L_z)^2$$

3. The attempt at a solution
I think my problem is that I do not know how to deal with those partial differential operators. How do you go about squaring that binomial term that has differential operators? I think that's what I need to know and I don't know what to google to look for it.

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

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Dec 7, 2011

### dextercioby

You just need the chain rule of partial differentiation and a use of spherical coordinates...No binomial formulae needed.