Finding mass with dirac delta function

1. Jan 24, 2010

dingo_d

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

Distribution of matter is given in cylindrical coordinates:

$$\rho(\vec{r})=\frac{1}{\rho}\delta(\rho^2-10\rho+9)\delta\left(\frac{z^2-a^2}{z^2+a^2}\right)\delta(\cot(\phi))$$

where $$a>0$$ is a constant. Find the complete mass of the object.

2. Relevant equations

The mass of the object is given as:

$$M=\int_{\partial V}\rho(\vec{r})dV$$

So in order to calculate the integral I need to expand the deltas with this formula:

$$\delta(f(x))=\sum_{i=1}^n\frac{\delta(x-x_i)}{|f'(x_i)|}$$, where $$|f'(x_i)|$$ is the derivative of the function evaluated at the zeroes of the function $$x_i$$.

Integral in cylindrical coordinate system is:

$$\int_0^\infty\rho d\rho\int_0^{2\pi} d\phi\int_{-\infty}^\infty dz$$

3. The attempt at a solution

I have expanded the first delta:

$$\delta(\rho^2-10\rho+9)=\frac{\delta(\rho-1)}{8}+\frac{\delta(\rho-9)}{8}$$.

I'm having problem with the second one. Do I 'brake' it with partial fractions?

Third one (which I'm not sure I got it right):

$$\delta(\cot(\phi))=\sum_{m=-\infty}^\infty\delta\left(\phi-\left(m+\frac{1}{2}\right)\pi\right)$$

So my problem is: how do I solve the second delta and I'm not quite sure I got the third one right. How should I integrate it?

2. Jan 24, 2010

Maxim Zh

I see no problem in the second delta. Just find the zeros and calculate the derivatives.

3. Jan 24, 2010

dingo_d

So the second one is:
$$a\left[\delta(z-a)+\delta(z+a)\right]$$?

But how do I calculate the integral? With $$\phi$$ part? When I put it into Mathematica I get different answers:
For putting sum in front of the integral:
$$\frac{1}{2}\theta(3 - 2 m, \pi + 2 m \pi)$$
And for putting integral in front of the sum I have $$\frac{7}{\pi}$$, which is weird because shouldn't I get the same results no matter which goes first?

But that's on the side note, on my exam I won't have Mathematica :D, so how to calculate that?

4. Jan 25, 2010

Maxim Zh

The integral of delta function is:

$$\int_a^b f(x) \delta(x-c)\,dx = \begin{cases} f(c), & a < c < b; \\ f(c)/2, & c = a \;\text{or}\; c = b; \\ 0, & \text{otherwise}. \end{cases}$$

I think it's not a problem to calculate it without Mathematica.

In cylindrical coordinates

$$0 \leq \phi < 2\pi.$$

You should keep only two terms of the infinite sum.

5. Jan 25, 2010

dingo_d

Those terms are random or? I'm confused because I have only solved simple integrals with delta function in my class, never with these sums :(

6. Jan 25, 2010

Maxim Zh

No, they are not random.
When you integrate the sum

$$\sum_m \delta(\phi - \phi_m)$$

only two terms fit the condition

$$\phi_m \in (0, 2\pi).$$

The other terms are not integrated and give zero.

7. Jan 25, 2010

dingo_d

I see, that's because I'm only need two zeros in that interval, so I'm only using those two! Thanks!!

Last edited: Jan 25, 2010