Quadrupole moment tensor calculation for ellipsoid

  • #1
LeoJakob
24
2
Determine the element ##Q_{11}## of the quadrupole tensor for a homogeneously charged rotationally symmetric ellipsoid,
$$\rho=\rho_{0}=\text { const. for } \frac{x_{1}^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{x_{2}^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{x_{3}^{2}}{c^{2}} \leq 1 $$

The formula is $$Q_{i j}=\int \rho(\mathbf{r})\left(3 x_{i} x_{j}-\|\mathbf{x}\|^{2} \delta_{i j}\right) d^{3} \mathbf{r}$$

I would calculate: $$ Q_{11}=\rho_{0} \int d z \int \rho d \rho \int \limits_{0}^{2 \pi} d \phi \left(3 \rho^{2} \cos ^{2} \phi-\left(\rho^{2}+z^{2}\right)\right) $$

With ##x_1=\rho \cos \phi,\quad x_2=\rho \sin \phi, \quad x_3= z##, but in the solution they calculate:

$$ Q_{11}=\rho_{0} \int d z \int \rho d \rho \int \limits_{0}^{2 \pi} d \phi \theta\left(1-\frac{\rho^{2}}{a^{2}}-\frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}\right)\left(3 \rho^{2} \cos ^{2} \phi-\left(\rho^{2}+z^{2}\right)\right) $$

Where does the term ##\theta\left(1-\frac{\rho^{2}}{a^{2}}-\frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}\right)## come from?
 
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  • #2
That is the restriction of the integral to the ellipsoid.
 
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  • #3
Orodruin said:
That is the restriction of the integral to the ellipsoid.
Ahhh, thank you very much! So it is a Heaviside step function , please correct me if I misunderstood you.
 
  • #4
Yes, it is the Heaviside function.
 
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FAQ: Quadrupole moment tensor calculation for ellipsoid

What is a quadrupole moment tensor?

A quadrupole moment tensor is a mathematical representation that describes the second-order distribution of charge or mass within a system, such as an ellipsoid. It provides insights into the system's asymmetry and helps in understanding its potential fields and interactions with other systems.

Why is the quadrupole moment tensor important for an ellipsoid?

The quadrupole moment tensor is important for an ellipsoid because it captures the shape and orientation of the ellipsoid, which are crucial for understanding its physical properties and behavior in external fields. This information is essential in fields like astrophysics, material science, and molecular physics.

How do you calculate the quadrupole moment tensor for an ellipsoid?

To calculate the quadrupole moment tensor for an ellipsoid, you need to integrate the mass or charge distribution over the volume of the ellipsoid. The tensor components are typically calculated using the formula Q_ij = ∫(3x_i x_j - r^2 δ_ij) ρ(r) dV, where x_i and x_j are the coordinates, r is the radial distance, δ_ij is the Kronecker delta, and ρ(r) is the density function.

What are the applications of the quadrupole moment tensor in scientific research?

The quadrupole moment tensor has various applications in scientific research, including understanding the gravitational fields of celestial bodies, analyzing the electric field gradients in molecular systems, and studying the stress distribution in materials. It is also used in nuclear physics to describe the shape of atomic nuclei.

What challenges are associated with calculating the quadrupole moment tensor for an ellipsoid?

Challenges in calculating the quadrupole moment tensor for an ellipsoid include accurately modeling the mass or charge distribution, performing complex integrations, and dealing with numerical precision. Additionally, the orientation and asymmetry of the ellipsoid can complicate the calculations, requiring advanced mathematical techniques and computational tools.

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