Why Is the Electric Quadrupole Moment Zero in a Spherically Symmetric Potential?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter GAGS
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Moment Zero
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why the electric quadrupole moment is considered zero in a central and spherically symmetric potential, particularly in the context of nuclear forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the electric quadrupole moment being zero follows from its definition, implying a classical understanding of the concept.
  • Another participant notes that while the potential is central and spherically symmetric, the wave function can have orbital angular momentum L=2, which could allow for a quadrupole moment.
  • There is a mention of a source for quadrupole moments in quantum mechanics, although the details are not provided in the thread.
  • Several posts address the sharing of personal email addresses, emphasizing the forum's rules regarding privacy and safety.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions under which the electric quadrupole moment can be non-zero, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the conditions under which the quadrupole moment may or may not be zero, and the implications of orbital angular momentum on this topic remain unclear.

GAGS
Messages
53
Reaction score
0
While studying nuclear forces one question was raised that why electric quadrupole moment is zero while the potential is considerd central and spherically symmetric.
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello sir,my email id i have added in my profile and believe me i am very glad to provide my mail id to such a great personality with different recognition on physics forum
 
We have as rule here not to provide personal mails on the public forum or our profiles.
 
Sorry sir i don't know that,but i will not repeat such mistake in future.
Once again extremely sorry
 
its just for your own saftey, these forums can bee seen by anyone - you don't need to be member to read posts here.
 
GAGS said:
While studying nuclear forces one question was raised that why electric quadrupole moment is zero while the potential is considerd central and spherically symmetric.
Thanks
If the potential is central, it must be spherically symmetric.
The wave function (but not the ground state) can have orbital angular momentum L=2, in which case there can be a quadrupole moment.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Relation between nuclear shape and it spin number
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Undergrad Star with quadrupole in a binary system violates Newton's 3rd Law?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Understanding Quadrupole Moment of Zero/Half Spin Nuclear Charge
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Electric quadrupole moment and nucleus shap
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
11K
Clarification on electric quadrupole moment definition
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Dipole and Quadrupole moments and axial symmetry
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Confused about the effective range
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
How Does the Nuclear Quadrupole Moment Explain Nucleus Deformation?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Graduate Energy-to-angular momentum ratio in EM v. gravity quadrupole radiation
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
Graduate Bubble nucleation and metastable vacuum
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K