Dirac delta function is continuous and differential

Click For Summary
The Dirac delta function is a distribution rather than a traditional function, which complicates its classification as continuous or differentiable. It is generally accepted that the Dirac delta function is differentiable and can be considered continuous in the context of distributions. Examples of functions that approach the Dirac delta include the top hat function and the Gaussian function as their widths approach zero. While the top hat function is not differentiable, the Gaussian function retains differentiability. Overall, the Dirac delta function is integrable and behaves well under calculus operations.
astro2cosmos
Messages
71
Reaction score
0
since dirac delta function is not a literally a function but a limit of function,does it mean that dirac delta function is continuous and differentiable through out the infinity?
is there any example of dirac delta function if yes then give meeeeeeee?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
astro2cosmos -> Strictly speaking, the Dirac delta is a distribution, that is it's a functional on the space of smooth and compactly supported functions. As such, one has to be a bit careful as to what does it mean for it to be "differentiable" and "continuous". Still, it is both differentiable and continuous. (I'm sure about differentiability, but have a doubt about continuity...)
is there any example of dirac delta function if yes then give meeeeeeee?
What is that supposed to mean?
 
I don't know how to write in latex but examples of dirac delta are the top hat function as the width goes to zero and the (properly normalised) gaussian as the width goes to zero.
 
astro2cosmos said:
since dirac delta function is not a literally a function but a limit of function,does it mean that dirac delta function is continuous and differentiable through out the infinity?
is there any example of dirac delta function if yes then give meeeeeeee?

The internal parameter that goes to zero inside the dirac delta is INDEPENDENT of the variable parameter that goes to zero in the calculus process. For any given value of the internal parameter (it is never exactly zero), the dirac delta function is continuous, differentialbe, and integrable as far as calculus is concerned.
 
Here's what I learned in my course. There are several functions which in a certain limit approach the dirac delta. The examples I gave are the top hat and the gaussian. The top hat is not differentiable, but the gaussian is. I don't know much more than that.
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. Towards the end of the first lecture for the Qiskit Global Summer School 2025, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Olivia Lanes (Global Lead, Content and Education IBM) stated... Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/quantum-entanglement-is-a-kinematic-fact-not-a-dynamical-effect/ by @RUTA

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
5K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K