Quadrupole Potential: Help Derive and Decipher This Beast

[UAR]

(\textbf{q}\bullet\nabla)(\textbf{p}\bullet\nabla)\frac{1}{r} = -(\textbf{p}\bullet\textbf{q})\frac{1}{r^{3}} + 3(\textbf{p}\bullet\textbf{r})(\textbf{q}\bullet\textbf{r})\frac{1}{r^{5}}

r is distance between field point and dipole source, \textbf{p} is dipole moment, and I believe \textbf{q} may be quadrupole moment tensor (what is that anyways?),

How is the above equation derived ? and exactly how is it related to the more physically and mathematically lucid dipole potential below:

(\textbf{p}\bullet\nabla)\frac{1}{r} = -(\textbf{p}\bullet\textbf{r})\frac{1}{r^{3}}

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi UAR! Welcome to PF!

(use \cdot instead of \bullet )

(\textbf{q}\bullet\nabla)(\textbf{p}\bullet\nabla)\frac{1}{r} = -(\textbf{p}\bullet\textbf{q})\frac{1}{r^{3}} + 3(\textbf{p}\bullet\textbf{r})(\textbf{q}\bullet\textbf{r})\frac{1}{r^{5}}

r is distance between field point and dipole source, \textbf{p} is dipole moment, and I believe \textbf{q} may be quadrupole moment tensor (what is that anyways?),

How is the above equation derived ? and exactly how is it related to the more physically and mathematically lucid dipole potential below:

(\textbf{p}\bullet\nabla)\frac{1}{r} = -(\textbf{p}\bullet\textbf{r})\frac{1}{r^{3}}

It's derived from that equation simply by using it twice, first with p·∇ and then with q·∇

(and because (q·∇)(p·r) = p·q )

 

[UAR]

Thanks Tiny-tim!

However, while you are still online, excuse my slowness: why is:

(\textbf{q}\cdot\nabla)(\textbf{p}\cdot\textbf{r})=\textbf{p}\cdot\textbf{q} ?

 

[tiny-tim]

why is:

(\textbf{q}\cdot\nabla)(\textbf{p}\cdot\textbf{r})=\textbf{p}\cdot\textbf{q} ?

Because p.r = xp_x + yp_y + zp_z,

so (q·∇)(p.r) = … ?

 

[UAR]

Aaah! Thanks! I was hesitant to do that due to a (poor notation)-induced irrational fear that p_{x'} was a function of x. But now I see it is not, since \nabla is w.r.t field point \textbf{r}, while \textbf{p} depends only on source pts \textbf{r'}.

One more question: What is \textbf{q} ?

By the way, you are truly a good mentor. Thanks for your help and keep up the great work!

 

[tiny-tim]

One more question: What is \textbf{q} ?

No idea … it could be anything, and the equation would still work

 

[UAR]

Hi Tiny Tim,

Thanks for your help and for your honesty.

Anyone else care to help physically and mathematically elucidate \textbf{q} in the quadrupole potential equation above. I read somewhere that it is called (or is related to ?) the "quadrupole moment tensor" (what exactly is that by the way?).

Thanks!