Transforming a vector in spherical coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on transforming a vector in spherical coordinates, specifically rotating a Green's function's gradient from a polar angle θ=0 to an arbitrary angle θ and azimuthal angle Ω. The user calculates the angle ψ between the field point and the source using the formula ψ = arccos(sin(θfield)*sin(θsource)*cos(Ωfield-Ωsource)+cos(θfield)*cos(θsource)). The transformation of the gradient involves adjusting the θ component based on this angle, but discrepancies arise when testing the transformation for θsource=0. The user seeks assistance in identifying errors or finding references for validation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of spherical coordinates and transformations
  • Familiarity with Green's functions in vector calculus
  • Knowledge of gradient calculations in vector fields
  • Proficiency in trigonometric identities and their applications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation and applications of Green's functions in spherical coordinates
  • Study vector transformations in spherical coordinates, focusing on coordinate rotation techniques
  • Explore trigonometric identities relevant to spherical coordinate transformations
  • Examine existing literature or resources on vector calculus to find similar transformation examples
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physicists, and engineers working with vector calculus, particularly those involved in fields like electromagnetism or fluid dynamics where spherical coordinate systems are prevalent.

SupernerdSven
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I've got a Green's function in which all the impulses are on the line from the north pole to the origin (polar angle θ=0) and terminating with a point impulse at the north pole. I've found its gradient at a field point, and I want to rotate everything to a new coordinate system with the source line at arbitrary θ and azimuthal angle Ω. What I've done is:
1. Find the angle ψ between the field point and the source.
2. Use ψ in the formula which returns the gradient for a source on the line to the north pole. Note that since the basis vectors use the north pole as a reference location, this effectively has the source's location as a reference location.
3. Since the result of step 2 is the field in terms of the basis vectors the source's location, I next transform the basis vectors to a coordinate system in which the source is not necessarily on the line through the north pole.

For the angle between the field point and and the source I found:
ψ = arccos(sin(θfield)*sin(θsource)*cos(Ωfieldsource)+cos(θfield)*cos(θsource))

The r-component is unchanged. Calling the vector B, and with ψ being the polar coordinate in its old source-based coordinate system, the θ component becomes:
-(Bψ/(rfield*sin(ψ)))*(sin(θsource)*cos(θfield)*cos(Ωfieldsource)-cos(θsource)*sin(θfield))

However, when I tested it for θsource=0 (so it should reproduce the original result) I had a different answer than before. I had trouble finding a reference. Can you help me find my error, or help me find a reference which uses the same method I can compare this to?
 
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