Simplification of complex expression

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying a complex expression related to the magnitude of an electric field, specifically examining the expression for \( E \) and its squared magnitude \( |E|^2 \). The context involves complex exponentials and trigonometric identities within the framework of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to manipulate the expression for \( |E|^2 \) by substituting a specific form of \( V \) and expressing it in terms of trigonometric functions. They question their steps in deriving the final form and seek clarification on potential errors.
  • Some participants question the correctness of the complex conjugate used in the calculations and suggest simplifying the expression further by redefining variables.
  • Others suggest reconsidering the approach to taking complex conjugates and offer hints to correct the original poster's calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on correcting errors related to complex conjugates and suggesting simplifications. The original poster acknowledges a mistake and indicates progress towards the correct result after receiving feedback.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the extent of direct solutions provided. The original poster's confusion stems from the manipulation of complex expressions and the application of trigonometric identities.

roam
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Homework Statement



For the expression:

$$E=\frac{E_{0}}{2}\left(\exp\left[\frac{j\pi V}{2V_{\pi}}\right]+j\exp\left[-\frac{j\pi V}{2V_{\pi}}\right]\right)$$

I want to show that if ##V=m(t)-\frac{V_{\pi}}{2}##, then ##|E|^2## can be written as:

$$|E|^2=\frac{E^2_{0}}{2}\left(1-\cos\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)\right). \tag{1}$$

Note: here ##j^2=-1##.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Substituting:

$$E(t)=\frac{E_{0}}{2}\left(\exp\left[\frac{j\pi}{2V_{\pi}}\left(m(t)-\frac{V_{\pi}}{2}\right)\right]+j\exp\left[-\frac{j\pi}{2V_{\pi}}\left(m(t)-\frac{V_{\pi}}{2}\right)\right]\right)$$

$$=\frac{E_{0}}{2}\left(\exp\left[j\left(\frac{\pi}{2V_{\pi}}m(t)-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]+j\exp\left[-j\left(\frac{\pi}{2V_{\pi}}m(t)-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]\right)$$

Multiplying by the complex conjugate:

##|E(2)|^{2}=\left(\frac{E_{0}}{2}\right)^{2}\left(\exp\left[j\left(\frac{\pi}{2V_{\pi}}m(t)-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]+j\exp\left[-j\left(\frac{\pi}{2V_{\pi}}m(t)-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]\right).\left(\exp\left[j\left(\frac{\pi}{2V_{\pi}}m(t)-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]-j\exp\left[-j\left(\frac{\pi}{2V_{\pi}}m(t)-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]\right)##

$$|E(2)|^{2}=\underline{\left(\frac{E_{0}}{2}\right)^{2}\left(\exp\left[j\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}-\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\right]+\exp\left[-j\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}-\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\right]\right)}.$$

Writing this explicitly in terms of trigonometric functions:

##=\left(\frac{E_{0}}{2}\right)^{2}\left[\left(\cos\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)+j\sin\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)\right)\left(\underbrace{\cos\left(-\frac{\pi}{2}\right)+j\sin\left(-\frac{\pi}{2}\right)}_{-j}\right)+\left(\cos\left(-\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)+j\sin\left(-\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)\right)\underbrace{\left(\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)+j\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\right)}_{j}\right]##

$$=\left(\frac{E_{0}}{2}\right)^{2}\left[-j\cos\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)+j\cos\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)\right]$$

$$=\boxed{\frac{E_{0}^{2}}{2}\sin\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)}\stackrel{?}{=}\frac{E_{0}^{2}}{2}\left(1-\cos\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)\right)$$

If we had sin2, then we might have been able to use the half-angle formula. But I am not sure what to do here.

So, how can I get from ##\frac{E_{0}^{2}}{2}\sin\left(\frac{\pi m(t)}{V_{\pi}}\right)## to equation (1)? Did I make a mistake somewhere? :confused:

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
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roam said:
Multiplying by the complex conjugate:
There are sign errors here. What is the complex conjugate of ##e^{jx}##?
 
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Suggestion to make it much simpler: Let ## m'=\frac{\pi m}{2V_{\pi}} ##. Also write ## je^{jx} ## as ## e^{j (\pi/2)} e^{jx} ##. A few minutes of work including correctly taking complex conjugates should get you the result.
 
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I see. I made a mistake taking the complex conjugate of the expression. So I used:

$$\overline{\exp\left[j\left(\frac{\pi m}{2V_{\pi}}-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]+j\exp\left[-j\left(\frac{\pi m}{2V_{\pi}}-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]}=\exp\left[-j\left(\frac{\pi m}{2V_{\pi}}-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]-j\exp\left[j\left(\frac{\pi m}{2V_{\pi}}-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right]$$

and I got the correct result. Thank you so much for the suggestions.
 
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