What does the |-sign mean in this text?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the notation "|\omega" in the context of a physics problem involving the integrand ##\vec{J}(r',t_r)##. Participants explore its meaning, particularly in relation to the dependence of the function on the variable ##\omega##, and whether it signifies evaluation at a specific parameter or a different relationship.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the meaning of the "|" symbol, suggesting it might indicate a conditional relationship but is unsure why it is used instead of simply writing ##\vec{J}(r')##.
  • Another participant proposes that the "|" could mean "evaluated at" or indicate conditional probability.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the interpretation of the notation as "evaluated at," suggesting that it may not apply in this specific case.
  • One participant interprets the notation to imply that ##\vec{J}## depends parametrically on ##\omega##.
  • There are conflicting views about whether the prefactor in the expression for ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## is independent of ##\omega##, with some asserting it is not.
  • A later reply mentions that the professor clarified the notation means "r given omega," aligning it with conditional probability.
  • Another participant notes that this interpretation is unconventional but aligns with the idea of parametric dependence on ##\omega##.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach consensus on the meaning of the "|" symbol, with multiple competing interpretations and ongoing debate about the implications of the notation.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the dependence of ##\vec{J}## on ##\omega## and the implications of the notation in the specific context of the problem.

Nikitin
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http://web.phys.ntnu.no/~ingves/Teaching/TFY4240/Exam/Exam_tfy4240_Dec_2013.pdf
solutions: http://web.phys.ntnu.no/~ingves/Teaching/TFY4240/Exam/Solution_tfy4240_Dec_2013.pdf

In problem 3 a) I'm supposed to reform the integrand from ##\vec{J}(r',t_r)## to something like ##\vec{J}(r'|\omega)##. In practice, one just extracts the ##t_r## dependent part of the function and writes what remains as ##\vec{J}(r'|\omega)##. But what does my professor mean with that ##"|"## bar? Why not just write the remaining part of the function as ##\vec{J}(r')##?

And excuse me if this is physics notation and not math notation.. In that case pls move this thread to the physics section!
 
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The most general meaning that I know is "evaluated at" or, with super and subscripts, evaluated between. I know it best as indicating conditional probability.
 
I don't think it's evaluated at as the ##\omega## dependent part was taken out I think. oh well i guess I'll have to bother my prof and send him an email
 
I would interpret that to mean that ##\vec{J}## depends parametrically on ##\omega##.
 
That cannot be correct in my specific example. I think..
 
Nikitin said:
That cannot be correct in my specific example. I think..
Why?
 
Because in my example the only dependence ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## has on ##\omega## is thru ##e^{i \omega t}##, and ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t) = \vec{J}(\vec{r}|\omega) ~e^{i \omega t}## according to my professor. This is physics stuff though, not math.
 
Nikitin said:
Because in my example the only dependence ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## has on ##\omega## is thru ##e^{i \omega t}##, and ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t) = \vec{J}(\vec{r}|\omega) ~e^{i \omega t}## according to my professor.
That is not correct. You have that "the only dependence ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## has on ##t## is thru ##e^{i \omega t}##." This form for ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## is to give it an explicit dependence on ##t##, but it certainly doesn't mean that the prefactor is independent of ##\omega##.
 
DrClaude said:
That is not correct. You have that "the only dependence ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## has on ##t## is thru ##e^{i \omega t}##." This form for ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## is to give it an explicit dependence on ##t##, but it certainly doesn't mean that the prefactor is independent of ##\omega##.

How can that be the case? ##\vec{J}(\vec{r},t)## is given by ##I(t) = I_0 e^{i \omega t}## in the problem.
 
  • #10
He responded to my mail; it means the same as conditional probability, "r given omega " in this case.
 
  • #11
Nikitin said:
He responded to my mail; it means the same as conditional probability, "r given omega " in this case.
That's very unconventional. But it basically amounts to what I was saying: it means that ##\vec J## depends parametrically on ##\omega##.
 

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