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boardbox
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Homework Statement
let R be the separation vector from (a,b,c) to (x,y,z) and r be the magnitude of R.
Show that: del(1/r) = -R/r^2
Homework Equations
del is the gradient operator
The Attempt at a Solution
The problem is that I keep getting a 3/2 power in the denominator when I calculate the left hand side.
r = sqrt((x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 + (z-c)^2)
1/r = ((x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 + (z-c)^2)^-0.5
del(1/r) = -R/[(x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 + (z-c)^2]^(3/2)
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