14.2.2 Covariant and Contravariant Coordinates

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

14.2.2 Covariant and Contravariant Coordinates 14. Vector Algebra and Vector Analysis 2016-07-07 $Version 10.0 for Mac OS X x86 (64-bit) (December 4, 2014) Mathematica 9: The commands for vector analysis are contained in the kernel in contrast to earlier versions. Mathematica 7 or 8: The package must be loaded by the command << "VectorAnalysis`" . Some of the commands differ from those given in version 9, so in these lecture notes. In particular, the arguments of the operators do not contain the list of the independent variables as arguments. Ph. Boylard: A Guide to Standard Mathematica Packages. Mathematica Technical Report (1991). E. Martin: Mathematica 3.0 Standard Add-On Packages. Cambridge University Press. pp.74-82. 14.1 Rectangular, Cylindrical and Spherical Coordinates Rectangular (as well as cylindrical and spherical) coordinates have been treated at the end of Chap.3. Knowledge of these subjects is pressuposed in this chapter. 14.2 Curvilinear Orthogonal Coordinates 14.2.1 Literature Murray R. Spiegel, Schaum's Mathemtical Handbook of Formulas and Tables, McGraw-Hill, New York 1968, pp.116-130 Philip M. Morse, Herman Feshbach: Methods of Theoretical Physics, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1953. (MF), 656ff. George B. Arken, Mathematical Methods for Pysicists, 3 rd ed., Academic Press, New York, 1985. B. Schnizer, Analytical methods in applied theoretrical physics. Lecture notes (in German). Chaps. 6 and 7. http://itp.tugraz.at/~schnizer/AnalyticalMethods/ P. Moon, D.E. Spencer, Field Theory Handbook. 2 nd ed., Springer, 1988. (MS) G. Wendt, Statische Felder und Stationäre Ströme. Hb. d. Physik XVI Springer, 1958, S.1 ff. W.R. Smith, Static and Dynamic Electricity, McGraw-Hill, 1950 14.2.2 Covariant and contravariant coordinates A general non-singular transformation from Cartesian coordinates x1, x2, x3 to more general curvilinear coordinates u1, u2, u3 is given by: xi = xi (u1, u2, u3), uk = uk (x1, x2, x3); i, k = 1, 2, 3. (1) So a triple of numbers for the uk's gives a point in space in the same way as a triple of Cartesian coordinates x1, x2, x3. Keeping two uk's constant while varying the third one gives a curve in space. There are three such curves passing through each point. The three tangents to these curves are given by: k τi = ∂xi/ ∂uk; (2) k numbering the curves; i numbering the components of each vector. These three vectors are orthogonal to each other, but they are not normalized; in addition, their directions and lengths may change from point to point. Varying two uk's for a fixed third us gives a surface in space. There are three surfaces passing through a given point with coordinates u1, u2, u3. The three gradients k γi = ∂uk/ ∂xi; (3) (k numbering the surface; i numbering the components of each vector) make up a second triple of orthogonal non-normalized vectors. The two triples are reciprocal to each other, i.e. p q τiγi = δpq. (4) The inner products of the tangent vectors give the covariant metric tensor p q gpq := τiτi = (∂xi/ ∂up) (∂xi/ ∂uq) = gqp . (5) The inner products of the gradient vectors give the contravariant metric tensor pq p q qp g := γiγi = (∂up/ ∂xi) (∂uq/ ∂xi) = g . (6) So in non-orthogonal coordinate systems there are two systems, whose base vectors may change their orientations and lengths from point to point. The components of any vector a , whose Cartesian components are ai: a = ai ei may be taken with respect to each of these systems. The covariant components Ap are: p k ai = Ap γi = Ap ∂up/ ∂xi, Ap := Aiτi = Ai ∂xi/ ∂uk; (7) while the contravariant components Ap are: p p p p k ai = A τi = A ∂xi/ ∂uk, A := aiγi = ai ∂uk/ ∂xi. (8) The arc element may be expressed by the covariant metric tensor (5): 2 ds := dxidxi = gpq dup duq. (9) So a triple of numbers for the uk's gives a point in space in the same way as a triple of Cartesian coordinates x1, x2, x3. Keeping two uk's constant while varying the third one gives a curve in space. There are three such curves passing through each point. The three tangents to these curves are given by: k τi = ∂xi/ ∂uk; (2) 2 math14a.nbk numbering the curves; i numbering the components of each vector. These three vectors are orthogonal to each other, but they are not normalized; in addition, their directions and lengths may change from point to point. Varying two uk's for a fixed third us gives a surface in space. There are three surfaces passing through a given point with coordinates u1, u2, u3. The three gradients k γi = ∂uk/ ∂xi; (3) (k numbering the surface; i numbering the components of each vector) make up a second triple of orthogonal non-normalized vectors. The two triples are reciprocal to each other, i.e. p q τiγi = δpq. (4) The inner products of the tangent vectors give the covariant metric tensor p q gpq := τiτi = (∂xi/ ∂up) (∂xi/ ∂uq) = gqp . (5) The inner products of the gradient vectors give the contravariant metric tensor pq p q qp g := γiγi = (∂up/ ∂xi) (∂uq/ ∂xi) = g . (6) So in non-orthogonal coordinate systems there are two systems, whose base vectors may change their orientations and lengths from point to point. The components of any vector a , whose Cartesian components are ai: a = ai ei may be taken with respect to each of these systems. The covariant components Ap are: p k ai = Ap γi = Ap ∂up/ ∂xi, Ap := Aiτi = Ai ∂xi/ ∂uk; (7) while the contravariant components Ap are: p p p p k ai = A τi = A ∂xi/ ∂uk, A := aiγi = ai ∂uk/ ∂xi. (8) The arc element may be expressed by the covariant metric tensor (5): 2 ds := dxidxi = gpq dup duq. (9) 14.2.3 Introducing physical coordinates for orthogonal curvilinear systems p p In orthogonal curvilinear systems, the base vectors γi and τi have the same directions. One introduces one set of normalized base vectors i: p p i := τi/hp = γihp In place of the covariant and contravariant components of a vector one gets one set, the physical coordinates i such that : p p p a = ai ei = ii = A τ = Ap γ; (10) i i = hiA = Ai/ hi. (No summation in this line !) For example, in cylindrical coordinates ρ, ϕ, z the transformation from rectangular coordinates, the three tangents to the coordinate curves and the gradients of the coordinate surfaces are: x = x = cos , y = x = sin , z = x ; = x2 y2 , = tan y , z = x . 1 ρ ϕ 2 ρ ϕ 3 ρ + ϕ x 3 k 1 2 3 τi = ∂xi/ ∂uk: τi= ( cosϕ, sinϕ, 0), τi= ( -ρ sinϕ, ρ cosϕ, 0), τi= (0, 0, 1), with ρ = x2 + y2 , k 1 2 2 2 3 γi = ∂uk/ ∂xi; γi= (x/ρ, y/ρ, 0),γi= (-y, x)/x + y , γi = (0, 0, 1). The metric coefficients hiare: hρ = hz = 1, hϕ= ρ. The various coordinates of the position (r) and of the velocity vector (v) are: ρ ϕ z r = rρρ + rϕϕ + rz z z , r ρ= ρ, rϕ= 0, rz= z. A = Aρ= 0, A = Aϕ= 0, A = Az= z. - - - ( - ) - - z v = vρρ + vϕϕ + vz z z , v ρ= ρ, v )= (), v z= z. A = A(= (, A = ), A)= (), A = Az= z. math14a.nb 3 For example, in cylindrical coordinates (, ), z the transformation from rectangular coordinates, the three tangents to the coordinate curves and the gradients of the coordinate surfaces are: x = x = cos , y = x = sin , z = x ; = x2 y2 , = tan y , z = x . 1 ( ) 2 ( ) 3 ( * ) x 3 k 1 2 3 !i = "xi/ "uk: !i= ( cos), sin), 0), !i= ( -( sin), ( cos), 0), !i= (0, 0, 1), with ( = x2 * y2 , k 1 2 2 2 3 #i = "uk/ "xi; #i= (x/(, y/(, 0),#i= (-y, x)/+x * y ,, #i = (0, 0, 1). The metric coefficients hiare: h( = hz = 1, h)= (. The various coordinates of the position (r) and of the velocity vector (v) are: ( ) z r = r(&( + r)&) + rz z &z , r (= (, r)= 0, rz= z. A = A(= 0, A = A)= 0, A = Az= z. - - - ( - ) - - z v = v(&( + v)&) + vz z &z , v (= (, v )= (), v z= z. A = A(= (, A = ), A)= (), A = Az= z. The square of the arc element is: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 ds % dx * dy * dz = h1 du1 * h2 du2 * h3 du3 . (11) The surface elements and the volume elment are: df1 = h2h3du2du3, df2 = h1h3 du1du3, df3 = h1h2 du1du2; (12) dV = h1 h2 h3 du1 du2 du3. (13) 14.2.4 Vector Analysis implementations in Mathematica The vector analysis impemented in Mathematica deals only with orthogonal coordinate systems, so only with physical coordinates as explained in the previous subsection. As of Mathematica 9 there are available two versions of implementations : 1. The old version as implemented in version 8 and previous ones with some modifications is available as a package, which must be called by the command: Needs["VectorAnalysis`"] This implementaton is created for 14 curvilinear orthogonal coordinate systems in three-dimen- sional Euclidean space given below under 14.3, in particular 14.3.5. When the package is called then the new vector analysis functionality implemented in the kernel (see 2.) is blocked. 2. The new version of Mathematica Vector Analysis is now implemented in the kernel; so it is ready automatically if not blocked (see previous paragraph 1.) It used new commands completely different from those employed in the package. It has implementations for two-dimensional curvilinear orthogo- nal coordinate systems. It treats the three-dimensional systems listed in 1.) In addition it deals with some n-dimensional orthogonal systems.
Recommended publications
  • Curvilinear Coordinate Systems
    Appendix A Curvilinear coordinate systems Results in the main text are given in one of the three most frequently used coordinate systems: Cartesian, cylindrical or spherical. Here, we provide the material necessary for formulation of the elasticity problems in an arbitrary curvilinear orthogonal coor- dinate system. We then specify the elasticity equations for four coordinate systems: elliptic cylindrical, bipolar cylindrical, toroidal and ellipsoidal. These coordinate systems (and a number of other, more complex systems) are discussed in detail in the book of Blokh (1964). The elasticity equations in general curvilinear coordinates are given in terms of either tensorial or physical components. Therefore, explanation of the relationship between these components and the necessary background are given in the text to follow. Curvilinear coordinates ~i (i = 1,2,3) can be specified by expressing them ~i = ~i(Xl,X2,X3) in terms of Cartesian coordinates Xi (i = 1,2,3). It is as- sumed that these functions have continuous first partial derivatives and Jacobian J = la~i/axjl =I- 0 everywhere. Surfaces ~i = const (i = 1,2,3) are called coordinate surfaces and pairs of these surfaces intersects along coordinate curves. If the coordinate surfaces intersect at an angle :rr /2, the curvilinear coordinate system is called orthogonal. The usual summation convention (summation over repeated indices from 1 to 3) is assumed, unless noted otherwise. Metric tensor In Cartesian coordinates Xi the square of the distance ds between two neighboring points in space is determined by ds 2 = dxi dXi Since we have ds2 = gkm d~k d~m where functions aXi aXi gkm = a~k a~m constitute components of the metric tensor.
    [Show full text]
  • A Scaling Technique for the Design Of
    A SCALING TECHNIQUE FOR THE DESIGN OF IDEALIZED ELECTROMAGNETIC LENSES Tj:lesis by Carl E. Baum Capt . , USAF In Partial Fulfillment of the Requi rements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California 1969 (Submitte d August 22 , 1968) -ii- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We would like to thank Professor C. H. Papas for his guidance and encouragement and Mrs. R. Stratton for typing the text. -iii- ABSTRACT A technique is developed for the design of lenses for transi­ tioning TEM waves between conical and/or cylindrical transmission lines, ideally with no reflection or distortion of the waves. These lenses utilize isotropic but inhomogeneous media and are based on a soluti on of Maxwell's equations instead of just geometrical optics. The technique employs the expression of the constitutive parameters, £ and µ , plus Maxwell's equations, in a general orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system in tensor form, giving what we term as formal quantities. Solving the problem for certain types of formal constitutive parameters, these are transformed to give £ and µ as functions of position. Several examples of such l enses are considered in detail. -iv- TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction l II. Formal Vectors and Operators 5 III. Formal Electromagnetic Quantities lO IV. Restriction of Constitutive Parameters to Scalars l4 V. General Case with Field Components in All Three 16 Coordinate Directions VI . Three- Dimensional TEM Waves 19 VII. Three-Dimensional TEM Lenses 29 A. Modified Spherical Coordinates 29 B. Mo dif i ed Bispherical Coordinates 33 c. Modified Toroidal Coordinates 47 D. Modified Cylindrical Coordinates 57 VIII.
    [Show full text]
  • Analytical Results Regarding Electrostatic Resonances of Surface Phonon/Plasmon Polaritons: Separation of Variables with a Twist
    Analytical results regarding electrostatic resonances of surface phonon/plasmon polaritons: separation of variables with a twist R. C. Voicu1 and T. Sandu1 1Research Centre for Integrated Systems, Nanotechnologies, and Carbon Based Materials, National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies-IMT, 126A, Erou Iancu Nicolae Street, Bucharest, ROMANIA∗ (Dated: February 16, 2017) Abstract The boundary integral equation method ascertains explicit relations between localized surface phonon and plasmon polariton resonances and the eigenvalues of its associated electrostatic opera- tor. We show that group-theoretical analysis of Laplace equation can be used to calculate the full set of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the electrostatic operator for shapes and shells described by separable coordinate systems. These results not only unify and generalize many existing studies but also offer the opportunity to expand the study of phenomena like cloaking by anomalous localized resonance. For that reason we calculate the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of elliptic and circular cylinders. We illustrate the benefits of using the boundary integral equation method to interpret recent experiments involving localized surface phonon polariton resonances and the size scaling of plasmon resonances in graphene nano-disks. Finally, symmetry-based operator analysis can be extended from electrostatic to full-wave regime. Thus, bound states of light in the continuum can be studied for shapes beyond spherical configurations. PACS numbers: 02.20.Sv,02.30.Em,02.30.Uu,41.20.Cv,63.22.-m,78.67.Bf arXiv:1702.04655v1 [cond-mat.mes-hall] 15 Feb 2017 ∗Electronic address: [email protected] 1 I. INTRODUCTION Materials with negative permittivity allow light confinement to sub-diffraction limit and field enhancement at the interface with ordinary dielectrics [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Computer Facilitated Generalized Coordinate Transformations of Partial Differential Equations with Engineering Applications
    Computer Facilitated Generalized Coordinate Transformations of Partial Differential Equations With Engineering Applications A. ELKAMEL,1 F.H. BELLAMINE,1,2 V.R. SUBRAMANIAN3 1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1 2National Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Tunis, Centre Urbain Nord, B.P. No. 676, 1080 Tunis Cedex, Tunisia 3Department of Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee 38505 Received 16 February 2008; accepted 2 December 2008 ABSTRACT: Partial differential equations (PDEs) play an important role in describing many physical, industrial, and biological processes. Their solutions could be considerably facilitated by using appropriate coordinate transformations. There are many coordinate systems besides the well-known Cartesian, polar, and spherical coordinates. In this article, we illustrate how to make such transformations using Maple. Such a use has the advantage of easing the manipulation and derivation of analytical expressions. We illustrate this by considering a number of engineering problems governed by PDEs in different coordinate systems such as the bipolar, elliptic cylindrical, and prolate spheroidal. In our opinion, the use of Maple or similar computer algebraic systems (e.g. Mathematica, Reduce, etc.) will help researchers and students use uncommon transformations more frequently at the very least for situations where the transformations provide smarter and easier solutions. ß2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 365À376, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com; DOI 10.1002/cae.20318 Keywords: partial differential equations; symbolic computation; Maple; coordinate transformations INTRODUCTION usual Cartesian, polar, and spherical coordinates. For example, Figure 1 shows two identical pipes imbedded in a concrete slab.
    [Show full text]
  • In George Warner Swenson, Jr. B.S., Michigan College of Mining And
    SOLUTION OF LAPLACE'S EQUATION in INVERTED COORDINATE SYSTEMS by George Warner Swenson, Jr. B.S., Michigan College of Mining and Technology (1944) Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE at the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 1948 Signature of Author ..0 Q .........0 .. .. Department of Electrical Engineering Certified by .. S....uper. ... .... .. Thesis Supervisor Chairman, Departmental Committee on Graduate Students ACKNOWLEDGMENT The author wishes to express his sincerest apprecia- tion to Professor Parry Moon, of the Department of Electrical Engineering, who suggested the general topic of this thesis. His lectures in electrostatic field theory have provided the essential background for the investigation and his interest in the problem has prompted many helpful suggestions. In addition, the author is indebted to Dr. R. M. Redheffer, of the Department of Mathematics, without whose patient interpretation of his Doctorate thesis and frequent assistance in overcoming mathematical difficulties the present work could hardly have been accomplished. 2982i19 ii CONTENTS ABSTRACT.............................................. iv I ORIENTATION .............. ,............ *,*.*..*** 1 II THE GEOMETRICAL PROPERTIES OF INVERTED SYSTEMS.... 7 A. The Process of Inversion ..................... 7 B. Practical Methods of Inversion................ 8 (1' Graphical Method ... ................... 8 2 Optical Method ......... ................. 10 C. The Inverted Coordinate Systems .............. 19 1) Inverse Rectangular Coordinates ......... 19 2) Inverse Spheroidal Coordinates .......... 19 3) Inverse Parabolic CooDrdinates ........... 21 III LAPLACE'S EQUATION IN INVERTED COORDINATE SYSTEMS. 30 A. The Form of the Equation ..................... 30 B. Separation of Variables ...................... 30 C. Tabulation of the Separated Equations for the Inverted Coordinate Systems *..........*......35 IV TBE APPLICATION OF THE INVERTED COORDINATE SYSTEMS TO BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS ......................
    [Show full text]
  • Conversion of Latitude and Longitude to UTM Coordinates
    Paper 410, CCG Annual Report 11 , 2009 (© 2009) Conversion of Latitude and Longitude to UTM Coordinates John G. Manchuk The frame of reference is an important aspect of natural resource modeling. Two principal coordinate systems are encountered in resource analysis: latitude and longitude and universal transverse Mercator or UTM. Operations can also have their own local coordinate system that is defined within a specific lease area; however, these are typically just translated and/or rotated UTM coordinates. This paper reviews some of the basics behind these two coordinate systems and describes a program for conversion. Introduction Map projections are useful for presentation purposes and to simplify calculations of distances, areas, and volumes. In the earth’s coordinate system, which is ellipsoidal, these computations can be cumbersome. The two coordinate systems that are explained here are the ellipsoidal coordinates defining the earth having longitude, latitude, and height axes, and universal transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates which is a map projection to a cylindrical coordinate system that is discretized into a set of zones, each being an approximate Cartesian system with East and North coordinates. Of course, coordinate systems require a point of reference or datum. Defining latitude and longitude from an ellipsoidal model of the earth is only possible by defining a point of reference on the ellipsoid. For the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS 84) defined principally for the global positioning system (GPS), the reference is a series of monitoring stations positioned on the earth with known coordinates. This provides an ellipsoid that fits the earth, or geoid, with minimal error in height between them.
    [Show full text]
  • Geodetic Computations on Triaxial Ellipsoid
    International Journal of Mining Science (IJMS) Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2015, PP 25-34 www.arcjournals.org Geodetic Computations on Triaxial Ellipsoid Sebahattin Bektaş Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Samsun, [email protected] Abstract: Rotational ellipsoid generally used in geodetic computations. Triaxial ellipsoid surface although a more general so far has not been used in geodetic applications and , the reason for this is not provided as a practical benefit in the calculations. We think this traditional thoughts ought to be revised again. Today increasing GPS and satellite measurement precision will allow us to determine more realistic earth ellipsoid. Geodetic research has traditionally been motivated by the need to continually improve approximations of physical reality. Several studies have shown that the Earth, other planets, natural satellites,asteroids and comets can be modeled as triaxial ellipsoids. In this paper we study on the computational differences in results,fitting ellipsoid, use of biaxial ellipsoid instead of triaxial elipsoid, and transformation Cartesian ( Geocentric ,Rectangular) coordinates to Geodetic coodinates or vice versa on Triaxial ellipsoid. Keywords: Reference Surface, Triaxial ellipsoid, Coordinate transformation,Cartesian, Geodetic, Ellipsoidal coordinates 1. INTRODUCTION Although Triaxial ellipsoid equation is quite simple and smooth but geodetic computations are quite difficult on the Triaxial ellipsoid. The main reason for this difficulty is the lack of symmetry. Triaxial ellipsoid generally not used in geodetic applications. Rotational ellipsoid (ellipsoid revolution ,biaxial ellipsoid , spheroid) is frequently used in geodetic applications . Triaxial ellipsoid is although a more general surface so far but has not been used in geodetic applications. The reason for this is not provided as a practical benefit in the calculations.
    [Show full text]
  • Path Integral Discussion for Smorodinsky-Winternitz Potentials: I
    best; sq V 0// 8 qw Fw ro DESY 94-018 February 1994 Path Integral Discussion for Smorodinsky-Winternitz Potentials: I. Two- and Three Dimensional Euclidean Space C. Grosche II. Institut hir Theoretische Physik, Universitat Hamburg G. S. Pogosyan, A. N. Sissakian Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Moscow Region, Russia naml\\\\\\\\\\\ Lraanexas. 1\\\l\\ll\\\ smava ISSN 0418-9833 OCR Output OCR OutputDESY 94 - 018 ISSN 0418 - 9833 February 1994 hep-th/9402121 PATH INTEGRAL DISCUSSION FOR SMORODINSKY-WINTERNITZ POTENTIALS: I. TWO- AND THREE DIMENSIONAL EUCLIDEAN SPACE C. Grosche* II. Institut fur Theoretische Physik Universitat Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149 22761 Hamburg, Germany G. S. Pog0syan** and A. N. Sissakian* Laboratory of Theoretical Physics Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna} 141980 Dubna, Moscow Region, Russia Abstract Path integral formulations for the Smorodinsky-Winternitz potentials in two- and three dimensional Euclidean space are presented. We mention all coordinate systems which sep arate the Smorodinsky-Winternitz potentials and state the corresponding path integral for mulations. Whereas in many coordinate systems an explicit path integral formulation is not possible, we list in all soluble cases the path integral evaluations explicitly in terms of the propagators and the spectral expansions into the wave-functions. Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under contract number GR 1031/2-1. Supported by Heisenberg-Landau program. OCR Output OCR Output1. Introduction. In the study of the Kepler problem and therharmonic oscillator it turns out that they possess properties making them of special interest, for instance, all finite classical trajectories are closed and all energy eigen-values are multiply degenerated.
    [Show full text]
  • The Charged Bowl in Toroidal Coordinates.Pdf
    The Charged Bowl in Toroidal Coordinates Phil Lucht Rimrock Digital Technology, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103 last update: January 5, 2016 Maple code is available upon request. Comments and errata are welcome. The material in this document is copyrighted by the author. The graphics look ratty in Windows Adobe PDF viewers when not scaled up, but look just fine in this excellent freeware viewer: http://www.tracker-software.com/pdf-xchange-products-comparison-chart . Overview and Summary.........................................................................................................................3 1. Bipolar and toroidal coordinates .......................................................................................................7 1.1 Bipolar coordinates .........................................................................................................................7 1.2 Toroidal coordinates .......................................................................................................................9 2. The charged bowl potential in toroidal coordinates ......................................................................16 2.1 Level curves, the charged ellipsoid problem and a dashed hope ..................................................16 2.2 Cartesian, spherical, toroidal and ellipsoidal atomic forms ..........................................................17 2.3 Smythian forms and one for the bowl...........................................................................................18 2.4 Solution
    [Show full text]
  • Symmetry and Separation of Variables for the Helmholtz and Laplace Equations
    C. P. Boyer, E. G. Kalnins, and W. Miller, Jr. Nagoya Math. J. Vol. 60 (1976), 35-80 SYMMETRY AND SEPARATION OF VARIABLES FOR THE HELMHOLTZ AND LAPLACE EQUATIONS C. P. BOYER, E. G. KALNINS, AND W. MILLER, JR. Introduction. This paper is one of a series relating the symmetry groups of the principal linear partial differential equations of mathematical physics and the coordinate systems in which variables separate for these equations. In particular, we mention [1] and paper [2] which is a survey of and introduction to the series. Here we apply group-theoretic methods to study the separable coordinate systems for the Helmholtz equation. 2 (4* + ω )Ψ(x) = 0 , x = (xlf x29 x3) , 4* = 3ii + d22 + d33 , ω > 0 , and the Laplace equation (0.2) ΔzW{x) = 0 . It is well-known that (0.1) separates in eleven coordinate systems, see [3], Chapter 5, and references contained therein. Moreover, in [4] it is shown that these systems correspond to commuting pairs of second order symmetric operators in the enveloping algebra of <?(3), the sym- metry algebra of (0.1). However, we show here for the first time how one can systematically make use of the representation theory of the Euclidean symmetry group £7(3) of the Helmholtz equation to derive identities relating the different separable solutions. As we will point out, some of these identities are new. It is also known that there are 17 types of cyclidic coordinate systems which permit i?-separation of variables in the Laplace equation and these appear to be the only such separable systems for (0.2), [5].
    [Show full text]
  • C:\Book\Booktex\C1s3.DVI
    65 §1.3 SPECIAL TENSORS Knowing how tensors are defined and recognizing a tensor when it pops up in front of you are two different things. Some quantities, which are tensors, frequently arise in applied problems and you should learn to recognize these special tensors when they occur. In this section some important tensor quantities are defined. We also consider how these special tensors can in turn be used to define other tensors. Metric Tensor Define yi,i=1,...,N as independent coordinates in an N dimensional orthogonal Cartesian coordinate system. The distance squared between two points yi and yi + dyi,i=1,...,N is defined by the expression ds2 = dymdym =(dy1)2 +(dy2)2 + ···+(dyN )2. (1.3.1) Assume that the coordinates yi are related to a set of independent generalized coordinates xi,i=1,...,N by a set of transformation equations yi = yi(x1,x2,...,xN ),i=1,...,N. (1.3.2) To emphasize that each yi depends upon the x coordinates we sometimes use the notation yi = yi(x), for i =1,...,N. The differential of each coordinate can be written as ∂ym dym = dxj ,m=1,...,N, (1.3.3) ∂xj and consequently in the x-generalized coordinates the distance squared, found from the equation (1.3.1), becomes a quadratic form. Substituting equation (1.3.3) into equation (1.3.1) we find ∂ym ∂ym ds2 = dxidxj = g dxidxj (1.3.4) ∂xi ∂xj ij where ∂ym ∂ym g = ,i,j=1,...,N (1.3.5) ij ∂xi ∂xj i are called the metrices of the space defined by the coordinates x ,i=1,...,N.
    [Show full text]
  • Triaxial Coordinate Systems and Their Geometrical Interpretation
    Triaxial coordinate systems and their geometrical interpretation G. Panou, R. Korakitis, D. Delikaraoglou Department of Surveying Engineering, ational Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece Abstract: Coordinate systems on a triaxial ellipsoid are summarized and presented, to- gether with their geometrical interpretation. Firstly, the geodetic coordinate system is a generalization of the geodetic system on a biaxial ellipsoid. Then, the ellipsoidal coordinate system is a triply orthogonal system, related to the theory of potential. Finally, the geomet- ric coordinate system, which is based on the previous systems, is interpreted. The three coordinate systems on a biaxial ellipsoid are obtained as degenerate cases. In addition, a method to compute the three curvilinear coordinates of each system is described. 1. Introduction It is generally accepted in the geodetic community that a triaxial ellipsoid could better approximate the geoid than the biaxial ellipsoid. Furthermore, several non- spherical celestial bodies such as planets, natural satellites, asteroids and comets are modeled by a triaxial ellipsoid. Also, present day accuracy requirements and modern computational capabilities encourage the study of the triaxial ellipsoid as a geometrical and a physical model in geodesy and related sciences. From a geometrical viewpoint, Shebl and Farag (2007) and Panou (2013) presented methods for the solution of the geodesic problem on a triaxial ellipsoid. Also, Klein (2012) gave a solution to the problem of the intersection of an ellipsoid and a plane. Furthermore, various map projections have been developed on a triaxial el- lipsoid (Weightman 1961, Snyder 1985, Grafarend and Krumm 2006, Fleis et al. 2013, Nyrtsov 2014). The geodetic (planetographic) coordinate system on a triaxial ellipsoid has been presented by Grafarend and Krumm (2006) and recently by Fel- tens (2009), Ligas (2012a, b) and Bektaş (2014).
    [Show full text]