Why does h = h(x,y,θ,φ) prevent (1.39) from being an exact differential?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Happiness
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Differentials
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on why the equation (1.39) cannot be expressed as an exact differential. The proposed solution suggests that by defining h as a function of multiple variables, it leads to a situation where the differential form does not satisfy the conditions for exactness. Specifically, the presence of a nonzero partial derivative with respect to one of the variables prevents the recovery of equation (1.39). This indicates that the relationship between the variables is more complex than initially assumed. Thus, the inability to express (1.39) as an exact differential stems from the multi-variable dependence of h.
Happiness
Messages
686
Reaction score
30
Why can't (1.39) be put in the form of an exact differential? Seems like I could and the solution to the first equation is

##x-a\phi\sin\theta=c##, where ##c## is an arbitrary constant.

Let ##x-a\phi\sin\theta## be ##h##.

By considering ##dh=\frac{\partial h}{\partial x}dx+\frac{\partial h}{\partial \phi}d\phi=0##, we get the first equation of (1.39). So it must be a solution. Isn't it?

Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 12.04.16 am.png

Derivation 4:
Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 12.04.37 am.png
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't know for sure, but I think it's because ##h = h(x,y,\theta,\phi)##, so
$$dh=\frac{\partial x}{\partial h}dx+\frac{\partial y}{\partial h}dy+\frac{\partial \theta}{\partial h}d\theta+\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial h}d\phi$$
and ##\frac{\partial \theta}{\partial h}## is nonzero, so you don't actually get back equation 1.39.
 
  • Like
Likes Happiness

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K