Quadrupole moment tensor calculation for ellipsoid

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the calculation of the quadrupole moment tensor for a homogeneously charged rotationally symmetric ellipsoid, specifically examining the element ##Q_{11}##. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and technical explanation related to the integration over the ellipsoidal volume.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the formula for the quadrupole tensor and attempts to calculate ##Q_{11}## using a specific integral.
  • Another participant identifies the term ##\theta\left(1-\frac{\rho^{2}}{a^{2}}-\frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}\right)## as the restriction of the integral to the ellipsoid.
  • A later reply confirms that the term is indeed a Heaviside step function, indicating the boundaries of the ellipsoidal region.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the interpretation of the Heaviside function as a restriction to the ellipsoidal volume, but the initial calculation and its context are not fully resolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify the implications of the Heaviside function on the overall calculation or the integration limits, leaving some assumptions and dependencies unresolved.

LeoJakob
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Determine the element ##Q_{11}## of the quadrupole tensor for a homogeneously charged rotationally symmetric ellipsoid,
$$\rho=\rho_{0}=\text { const. for } \frac{x_{1}^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{x_{2}^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{x_{3}^{2}}{c^{2}} \leq 1 $$

The formula is $$Q_{i j}=\int \rho(\mathbf{r})\left(3 x_{i} x_{j}-\|\mathbf{x}\|^{2} \delta_{i j}\right) d^{3} \mathbf{r}$$

I would calculate: $$ Q_{11}=\rho_{0} \int d z \int \rho d \rho \int \limits_{0}^{2 \pi} d \phi \left(3 \rho^{2} \cos ^{2} \phi-\left(\rho^{2}+z^{2}\right)\right) $$

With ##x_1=\rho \cos \phi,\quad x_2=\rho \sin \phi, \quad x_3= z##, but in the solution they calculate:

$$ Q_{11}=\rho_{0} \int d z \int \rho d \rho \int \limits_{0}^{2 \pi} d \phi \theta\left(1-\frac{\rho^{2}}{a^{2}}-\frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}\right)\left(3 \rho^{2} \cos ^{2} \phi-\left(\rho^{2}+z^{2}\right)\right) $$

Where does the term ##\theta\left(1-\frac{\rho^{2}}{a^{2}}-\frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}\right)## come from?
 
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That is the restriction of the integral to the ellipsoid.
 
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Orodruin said:
That is the restriction of the integral to the ellipsoid.
Ahhh, thank you very much! So it is a Heaviside step function , please correct me if I misunderstood you.
 
Yes, it is the Heaviside function.
 
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