Physical interpretation of the Laplace operator

[ralqs]

"physical" interpretation of the Laplace operator

Is there a "physical" interpretation of the Laplace operator, much like there exists a physical interpretation of the divergence and curl?

 

[I like Serena]

The divergence of an electric field indicates how strongly the field "diverges".

But an electric field can be integrated to an electric potential.
This makes the electric field the gradient of the electric potential.

Now the laplacian of an electric potential indicates how strong the field associated with the potential diverges.

 

[ralqs]

Is it possible you meant that the laplacian of the potential says how much the electric field diverges?

 

[I like Serena]

Is it possible you meant that the laplacian of the potential says how much the electric field diverges?

Uhh, isn't that the same thing?

 

[ralqs]

Uh, woops, yes, I misread your post.

Thanks a lot!