Solution of the radial part of the laplace-equation

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In summary, the radial part of the Laplace-Equation is given by r^2(\frac{d^2}{dr^2}U(r))=l(l+1)U(r). To solve this equation, the ansatz a_r*r^l+\frac{b_l}{r^l} should be used, with the correct expression being a_r*r^l+\frac{b_l}{r^{l+1}}.
  • #1
Faust90
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Homework Statement


I got the the radial part of the Laplace-Equation:

[itex]r^2(\frac{d^2}{dr^2}U(r))=l(l+1)U(r)[/itex]

Now I should show that the following solves the equation:

[itex]a_l*r^l+\frac{b_l}{r^l}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


29.11.1222-05-30rfq7k.jpg

The problem is that I got l(l-1) instead of l(l+1) :(
 
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  • #2
Hello, and welcome to PF!
Faust90 said:

Homework Statement


I got the the radial part of the Laplace-Equation:

[itex]r^2(\frac{d^2}{dr^2}U(r))=l(l+1)U(r)[/itex]

The expression on the left is incorrect. See http://physicspages.com/2012/01/20/laplaces-equation-spherical-coordinates/ for Laplace's equation in spherical coordinates.
 
  • #3
Sorry for the late answer. the ansatz was wrong, instead of [itex]a_r*r^l+\frac{b_l}{r^l}[/itex] it has to be:

[itex]a_r*r^l+\frac{b_l}{r^{l+1}}[/itex]
 

What is the radial part of the Laplace equation?

The radial part of the Laplace equation refers to the part of the equation that is dependent on the distance from the origin. It is a second-order partial differential equation commonly used in physics and engineering to describe the relationship between a scalar function and its Laplacian.

Why is it important to find the solution of the radial part of the Laplace equation?

Finding the solution of the radial part of the Laplace equation is important because it allows us to solve a wide range of physical problems involving potential fields, such as electrostatics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics. It also helps us understand the behavior of these fields and make predictions about their behavior in different scenarios.

What methods can be used to solve the radial part of the Laplace equation?

There are several methods that can be used to solve the radial part of the Laplace equation, including separation of variables, power series expansion, and Green's function method. The choice of method depends on the specific problem being solved and the boundary conditions given.

What are some real-world applications of the solution of the radial part of the Laplace equation?

The solution of the radial part of the Laplace equation has many real-world applications, including calculating the electric potential in electronic circuits, predicting the temperature distribution in a heated object, and determining the flow of fluids in pipes and channels. It is also used in image processing and computer graphics to smooth out images and remove noise.

Are there any limitations to the solution of the radial part of the Laplace equation?

While the solution of the radial part of the Laplace equation is a powerful tool for solving many physical problems, it does have some limitations. It assumes that the potential field is continuous and differentiable, and it only applies to problems with symmetric boundary conditions. It also cannot be used to solve problems involving time-dependent phenomena.

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