Dirac Delta Function: Application & Uses

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The Dirac delta function is a generalized function used to model point disturbances, such as tapping a drum or plucking a guitar string. In quantum physics, it represents a particle with a known position but uncertain momentum. It can also express any function as an infinite sum of delta functions, capturing values at specific points. To calculate the electrostatic field of a charge at a point, the Dirac delta function can be applied in conjunction with the nabla operator. Understanding its application is crucial for various fields, including physics and engineering.
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how do we apply dirac delta function?when do we apply?
 
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The "dirac delta function" is not a true function- it is a "distribution" or "generalized function". If you google "generalized function" you might find more information (I do not recommend using "distribution". Too many things are called "distributions".)

Most often the dirac delta function is used to represent a "point disturbance". For example if you tap a drum head at a single point or pluck a guitar string at a single point, you can represent that with a delta function. In quantum physics, you would use a dirac delta function to represent a particle for which you know a precise position (and so have no information about momentum). More generally, any function can be repsrented as an infinite sum of delta functions, representing the value of the function at each point.
 
suppose i want to calculate the electrostatic field of a charge at r=0...how do we apply dirac delta function along with nabla operator?
 

Thread 'Area of Overlapping Squares'

Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?
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