Handbook_of_Mathematics_Physics_and_Astr
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A compact reference handbook from the School of Physical and Geographical Sciences at the University of Keele (2013), apparently downloaded for Phil's collection rather than written by him. It has tables of physical constants, astrophysical quantities, a periodic table and electron configurations. It also covers mathematics formulae (trigonometry, calculus, integrals, vector calculus, series, differential equations, matrices, Fourier series, statistics) and physics formulae for electromagnetism, relativity and thermodynamics.
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Handbook of Mathematics, Physics and
Astronomy Data
School of Physical and Geographical Sciences
University of Keele
Keele
University
c/ci∇cleco√y∇t2013
Contents
1 Reference Data 1
1.1 Physical Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Astrophysical Quantities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Periodic Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4 Electron Configurations of the Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.5 Greek Alphabet and SI Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 Mathematics 7
2.1 Mathematical Constants and Notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3 Trigonometrical Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.4 Hyperbolic Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.5 Differentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.6 Standard Derivatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.7 Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.8 Standard Indefinite Integrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.9 Definite Integrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.10 Curvilinear Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.11 Vectors and Vector Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.12 Complex Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.13 Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.14 Ordinary Differential Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.15 Partial Differentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.16 Partial Differential Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
2.17 Determinants and Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.18 Vector Calculus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2.19 Fourier Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.20 Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3 Selected Physics Formulae 47
3.1 Equations of Electromagnetism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
3.2 Equations of Relativistic Kinematics and Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
3.3 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
i
Reference Data
1.1 Physical Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Astrophysical Quantities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Periodic Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4 Electron Configurations of the Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.5 Greek Alphabet and SI Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1
1.1 Physical Constants
Symbol Quantity Value
c Speed of light in free space 2.998×108m s−1
h Planck constant 6.626×10−34J s
¯h h/ 2π 1.055×10−34J s
G Universal gravitation constant 6.674×10−11N m2kg−2
e Electron charge 1.602×10−19C
me Electron rest mass 9.109×10−31kg
mp Proton rest mass 1.673×10−27kg
mn Neutron rest mass 1.675×10−27kg
u Atomic mass unit (1
12mass of12C)
= 1.661×10−27kg
NA Avogadro’s constant 6.022×1023mol−1
= 6.022×1026(kg-mole)−1
kB Boltzmann constant 1.381×10−23J K−1
R Gas constant = Nk 8.314×103J K−1(kg-mole)−1
8.314 J K−1mol−1
θB Bohr magneton 9.274×10−24J T−1(or A m2)
θN Nuclear magneton 5.051×10−27J T−1
R∞ Rydberg constant 10973732 m−1
a0 Bohr radius 5.292×10−11m
σ Stefan-Boltzmann constant 5.670×10−8J K−4m−2s−1
α Fine structure constant 1/137.04
σT Thomson cross-section 6.652×10−29m2
θ0 Permeability of free space 4π×10−7H m−1
ǫ0 Permittivity of free space 1/(θ0c2)
= 8.854×10−12F m−1
eV Electron volt 1.602×10−19J
g Standard acceleration of gravity 9.807 m s−2
atm Standard atmosphere 101325 N m−2= 101325 Pa
2
1.2 Astrophysical Quantities
Symbol Quantity Value
M⊙ Mass of Sun 1.989×1030kg
R⊙ Radius of Sun 6.955×108m
L⊙ Bolometric luminosity of Sun 3.846×1026W
M⊙
bol Absolute bolometric magnitude of Sun +4.75
M⊙
vis Absolute visual magnitude of Sun +4.83
T⊙ Effective temperature of Sun 5778 K
Spectral type of Sun G2 V
MJ Mass of Jupiter 1.899×1027kg
RJ Equatorial radius of Jupiter 71492 km
M⊕ Mass of Earth 5.974×1024kg
R⊕ Equatorial radius of Earth 6378 km
M/leftmoon Mass of Moon 7.348×1022kg
R/leftmoon Equatorial radius of Moon 1738 km
Sidereal year 3.156×107s
AU Astronomical Unit 1.496×1011m
ly Light year 9.461×1015m
pc Parsec 3.086×1016m
Jy Jansky 10−26W m−2Hz−1
H0 Hubble constant 72±5 km s−1Mpc−1
3
1.3 Periodic Table
4
1.4 Electron Configurations of the Elements
Z Element Electron configuration
1s2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s 4p 4d 4f 5s 5p 5d 5f
1 H 1
2 He 2
3 Li 21
4 Be 22
5 B 22 1
6 C 22 2
7 N 22 3
8 O 22 4
9 F 22 5
10 Ne 22 6
11 Na 22 6 1
12 Mg 22 6 2
13 Al 22 6 2 1
14 Si 22 6 2 2
15 P 22 6 2 3
16 S 22 6 2 4
17 Cl 22 6 2 5
18 Ar 22 6 2 6
19 K 22 6 2 6 - 1
20 Ca 22 6 2 6 - 2
21 Sc 22 6 2 6 1 2
22 Ti 22 6 2 6 2 2
23 V 22 6 2 6 3 2
24 Cr 22 6 2 6 5 1
25 Mn 22 6 2 6 5 2
26 Fe 22 6 2 6 6 2
27 Co 22 6 2 6 7 2
28 Ni 22 6 2 6 8 2
29 Cu 22 6 2 6 10 1
30 Zn 22 6 2 6 10 2
31 Ga 22 6 2 6 10 2 1
32 Ge 22 6 2 6 10 2 2
33 As 22 6 2 6 10 2 3
34 Se 22 6 2 6 10 2 4
35 Br 22 6 2 6 10 2 5
36 Kr 22 6 2 6 10 2 6
37 Rb 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 - - 1
38 Sr 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 - - 2
39 Y 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 1 - 2
40 Zr 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 2 - 2
41 Nb 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 4 - 1
42 Mo 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 5 - 1
43 Tc 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 6 - 1
44 Ru 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 7 - 1
45 Rh 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 8 - 1
46 Pd 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - -
47 Ag 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 1
48 Cd 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 2
49 In 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 2 1
50 Sn 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 2 2
51 Sb 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 2 3
52 Te 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 2 4
53 I 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 2 5
54 Xe 22 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 - 2 6
5
1.5 Greek Alphabet and SI Prefixes
The Greek alphabet
Aα alpha N ν nu
Bβ beta Ξ ξ xi
Γγ gamma O o omicron
∆δ delta Π π pi
Eǫ,ε epsilon P ρ,̺rho
Zζ zeta Σ σ,ς sigma
Hη eta T τ tau
Θθ,ϑ theta Y υ upsilon
Iι iota Φ φ,ϕ phi
Kκ kappa X χ chi
Λλ lambda Ψ ψ psi
Mθ mu Ω ω omega
SI Prefixes
Name Prefix Factor
yotta Y 1024
zetta Z 1021
exa E 1018
peta P 1015
tera T 1012
giga G 109
mega M 106
kilo k 103
hecto h 102
deca da 101
deci d 10−1
centi c 10−2
milli m 10−3
micro θ 10−6
nano n 10−9
pico p 10−12
femto f 10−15
atto a 10−18
zepto z 10−21
yocto y 10−24
6
Mathematics
2.1 Mathematical Constants and Notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.2 Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3 Trigonometrical Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.4 Hyperbolic Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.5 Differentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.6 Standard Derivatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.7 Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.8 Standard Indefinite Integrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
2.9 Definite Integrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.10 Curvilinear Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.11 Vectors and Vector Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.12 Complex Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.13 Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.14 Ordinary Differential Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
2.15 Partial Differentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.16 Partial Differential Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
2.17 Determinants and Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.18 Vector Calculus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2.19 Fourier Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.20 Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7
2.1 Mathematical Constants and Notation
Constants
π= 3.141592654 ... (N.B. π2≃10)
e= 2.718281828 ...
ln 10 = 2 .302585093 ...
log10e= 0.434294481 ...
lnx= 2.302585093 log10x
1 radian = 180 /π≃57.2958 degrees
1 degree = π/180≃0.0174533 radians
Notation
Factorial n=n! = n×(n−1)×(n−2)×...×2×1
(N.B. 0! = 1)
Stirling’s approximation n!≃/parenleftbiggn
e/parenrightbiggn
(2πn)1/2(n≫1)
lnn!≃nlnn−n (Error <∼4% for n≥15)
Double Factorial n!! =
n×(n−2)× ≤≤≤ × 5×3×1 for n >0 odd
n×(n−2)× ≤≤≤ × 6×4×2 for n >0 even
1 for n=−1,0
exp(x) = ex
lnx= logex
arcsin x= sin−1x
arccos x= cos−1x
arctan x= tan−1x
n/summationdisplay
i=1Ai=A1+A2+A3+≤≤≤+An= sum of nterms
n/productdisplay
i=1Ai=A1×A2×A3× ≤≤≤ × An= product of nterms
Sign function: sgn x=
+1 if x >0
0 if x= 0
−1 if x <0
8
2.2 Algebra
Polynomial expansions
(a+b)2=a2+ 2ab+b2
(ax+b)2=a2x2+ 2abx+b2
(a+b)3=a3+ 3a2b+ 3ab2+b3
(ax+b)3=a3x3+ 3a2bx2+ 3ab2x+b3
Quadratic equations
ax2+bx+c= 0
x=−b±√
b2−4ac
2a
Logarithms and Exponentials
Ify=axthen y=exlnaand logay=x
a0= 1
a−x= 1/ax
ax×ay=ax+y
ax/ay=ax−y
(ax)y= (ay)x=axy
ln 1 = 0
ln(1/x) = −lnx
ln(xy) = ln x+ lny
ln(x/y) = ln x−lny
lnxy=ylnx
Change of base: logay=logby
logba
and in particular ln y=log10y
log10e≃2.303 log10y
9
2.3 Trigonometrical Identities
Trigonometric functions
θ
bc
a
sinθ=a
ccosθ=b
ctanθ=a
b
cscθ=1
sinθsecθ=1
cosθcotθ=1
tanθ
Basic relations
(sinθ)2+ (cos θ)2≡sin2θ+ cos2θ= 1
1 + tan2θ= sec2θ
1 + cot2θ= csc2θ
sinθ
cosθ= tan θ
Sine and Cosine Rules
TTTTTTTT
γ αβ
ba c
Sine Rulea
sinα=b
sinβ=c
sinγ
Cosine Rule a2=b2+c2−2bccosα
10
Expansions for compound angles
sin(A+B) = sin AcosB+ cosAsinB
sin(A−B) = sin AcosB−cosAsinB
cos(A+B) = cos AcosB−sinAsinB
cos(A−B) = cos AcosB+ sinAsinB
tan(A+B) =tanA+ tan B
1−tanAtanB
tan(A−B) =tanA−tanB
1 + tan AtanB
sin/parenleftbigg
θ+π
2/parenrightbigg
= + cos θ sin/parenleftbiggπ
2−θ/parenrightbigg
= + cos θ
cos/parenleftbigg
θ+π
2/parenrightbigg
=−sinθ cos/parenleftbiggπ
2−θ/parenrightbigg
= + sin θ
sin(π+θ) = −sinθ sin(π−θ) = + sin θ
cos(π+θ) = −cosθ cos(π−θ) =−cosθ
cosAcosB=1
2[cos(A+B) + cos( A−B)]
sinAsinB=1
2[cos(A−B)−cos(A+B)]
sinAcosB=1
2[sin(A+B) + sin( A−B)]
cosAsinB=1
2[sin(A+B)−sin(A−B)]
sin 2A= 2 sin AcosA
cos 2A= cos2A−sin2A= 2 cos2A−1
= 1−2 sin2A
tan 2A=2 tanA
1−tan2A
Factor formulae
sinA+ sinB= +2 sin/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
cos/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
sinA−sinB= +2 cos/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
sin/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
cosA+ cosB= +2 cos/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
cos/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
cosA−cosB=−2 sin/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
sin/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
11
2.4 Hyperbolic Functions
Definitions and basic relations
sinhx=ex−e−x
2
coshx=ex+e−x
2
tanhx=sinhx
coshx=e2x−1
e2x+ 1
sechx= 1/coshx
cosech x= 1/sinhx
cothx= 1/tanhxcosh2x−sinh2x= 1
1−tanh2x= sech2x
coth2x−1 = cosech2x
sinh−1x= loge[x+√
x2+ 1]
cosh−1x=±loge[x+√
x2−1]
tanh−1x=1
2loge/parenleftbigg1 +x
1−x/parenrightbigg
(x2<1)
Expansions for compound arguments
sinh(A±B) = sinh AcoshB±coshAsinhB
cosh(A±B) = cosh AcoshB±sinhAsinhB
tanh(A±B) =tanhA±tanhB
(1 + tanh AtanhB)
sinh 2A= 2 sinh AcoshA
cosh 2 A= cosh2A+ sinh2A= 2 cosh2A−1 = 1 + 2 sinh2A
tanh 2 A=2 tanh A
(1 + tanh2A)
Factor formulae
sinhA+ sinh B= 2 sinh/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
cosh/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
sinhA−sinhB= 2 cosh/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
sinh/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
coshA+ cosh B= 2 cosh/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
cosh/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
coshA−coshB= 2 sinh/parenleftbiggA+B
2/parenrightbigg
sinh/parenleftbiggA−B
2/parenrightbigg
12
2.5 Differentiation
Definition
f′(x)≡d
dxf(x) = lim
δx→0/bracketleftiggf(x+δx)−f(x)
δx/bracketrightigg
f′′(x)≡d2
dx2f(x) =d
dxf′(x)
fn(x)≡dn
dxnf(x) = the nthorder differential,
obtained by taking nsuccessive differentiations of f(x).
The overdot notation is often used to indicate a derivative ta ken with respect to time:
˙y≡dy
dt,¨y≡d2y
dt2,etc.
Rules of differentiation
Ifu=u(x) and v=v(x) then:
sum ruled
dx(u+v) =du
dx+dv
dx
factor ruled
dx(ku) =kdu
dxwhere kis any constant
product ruled
dx(uv) =udv
dx+vdu
dx
quotient ruled
dx/parenleftbiggu
v/parenrightbigg
=/parenleftigg
vdu
dx−udv
dx/parenrightigg/slashig
v2
chain ruledy
dx=dy
du×du
dx
Leibnitz’ formula
Leibnitz’ formula for the nthderivative of a product of two functions u(x) and v(x):
[uv]n=unv+nun−1v1+n(n−1)
2!un−2v2+n(n−1)(n−2)
3!un−3v3+≤≤≤+uvn,
where un=dnu/dxnetc.
13
2.6 Standard Derivatives
d
dx(xn) = nxn−1
d
dx(exp[ax]) = aexp[ax]
d
dx(ax) = axlna
d
dx(lnx) = x−1
d
dx(ln(ax+b)) =a
(ax+b)
d
dx(logax) = x−1logae
d
dx(sin(ax+b)) = acos(ax+b)
d
dx(cos(ax+b)) = −asin(ax+b)
d
dx(tan(ax+b)) = asec2(ax+b)
d
dx(sinh( ax+b)) = acosh(ax+b)
d
dx(cosh( ax+b)) = asinh(ax+b)
d
dx(tanh( ax+b)) = asech2(ax+b)
d
dx(arcsin( ax+b)) = a[1−(ax+b)2]−1/2
d
dx(arccos( ax+b)) = −a[1−(ax+b)2]−1/2
d
dx(arctan( ax+b)) = a[1 + (ax+b)2]−1
d
dx(exp [axn]) = anx(n−1)exp [axn]
d
dx(sin2x) = 2 sin xcosx
d
dx(cos2x) = −2 sinxcosx
14
2.7 Integration
Definitions
The area ( A) under a curve is given by
A= lim
dxi→0/summationdisplay
f(xi)dxi=/integraldisplay
f(x)dx
The Indefinite Integral is/integraldisplay
f(x)dx=F(x) +C
where F(x) is a function such that F′(x) =f(x) and Cis the constant of integration.
The Definite Integral is
/integraldisplayb
af(x)dx=F(b)−F(a) =/bracketleftbigg
F(x)/bracketrightbiggb
a
where ais the lower limit of integration and bthe upper limit of integration.
Rules of integration
sum rule/integraldisplay
(f(x) +g(x))dx=/integraldisplay
f(x)dx+/integraldisplay
g(x)dx
factor rule/integraldisplay
kf(x)dx=k/integraldisplay
f(x)dxwhere kis any constant
substitution/integraldisplay
f(x)dx=/integraldisplay
f(x)dx
duduwhere u=g(x) is any function of x
N.B. for definite integrals you must also substitute the values of uinto the limits of
the integral.
Integration by parts
An integral of the form/integraldisplay
u(x)q(x)dxcan sometimes be solved if q(x) can be integrated
andu(x) differentiated. So if we let q(x) =dv
dx, sov=/integraldisplay
q(x)dx, then the Integration by
Parts formula is/integraldisplay
udv
dxdx=uv−/integraldisplay
vdu
dxdx
Note that if you pick uanddv
dxthe wrong way round you will end up with an integral
that is even more complex than the initial one. The aim is to pi ckuanddv
dxsuch that
du
dxis simplified.
15
2.8 Standard Indefinite Integrals
In the following table Cis the constant of integration.
/integraldisplay
xndx=xn+1
n+ 1+C(n/ne}ationslash=−1)
/integraldisplay
x−1dx= ln|x|+C
/integraldisplay
ln|x|dx=xlnx−x+C
/integraldisplay
sinxdx =−cosx+C
/integraldisplay
cosxdx = sin x+C
/integraldisplay
tanxdx =−ln|cosx|+C
/integraldisplay
cotxdx = ln|sinx|+C
/integraldisplay
sec2xdx = tan x+C
/integraldisplay
csc2xdx =−cotx+C
/integraldisplay
cos2xdx =1
2x+1
2sinxcosx+C
/integraldisplay
sin2xdx =1
2x−1
2sinxcosx+C
/integraldisplay
sinnxdx =−sinn−1xcosx
n+(n−1)
n/integraldisplay
sinn−2xdx+C
/integraldisplay
cosnxdx =cosn−1xsinx
n+(n−1)
n/integraldisplay
cosn−2xdx+C
/integraldisplay
sinxcosxdx =1
2sin2x+C
/integraldisplay
cosmxcosnxdx =sin(m−n)x
2(m−n)+sin(m+n)x
2(m+n)+C(m2/ne}ationslash=n2)
/integraldisplay
sinmxsinnxdx =sin(m−n)x
2(m−n)−sin(m+n)x
2(m+n)+C(m2/ne}ationslash=n2)
/integraldisplay
sinmxcosnxdx =−cos(m−n)x
2(m−n)−cos(m+n)x
2(m+n)+C(m2/ne}ationslash=n2)
/integraldisplay
x2cosxdx = (x2−2) sinx+ 2xcosx+C
/integraldisplay
x2sinxdx = (2−x2) cosx+ 2xsinx+C
/integraldisplay
xcosnxdx =xsinnx
n+cosnx
n2+C
/integraldisplay
xsinnxdx =−xcosnx
n+sinnx
n2+C
/integraldisplay
eaxdx=eax
a+C
16
/integraldisplay
xeaxdx=eax(x−1/a)/a+C
/integraldisplay
xe−inxdx=1
n/parenleftbigg1
n+ix/parenrightbigg
e−inx+C
/integraldisplay
eaxsinkxdx =eax(asinkx−kcoskx)
(a2+k2)+C
/integraldisplay
eaxcoskxdx =eax(acoskx+ksinkx)
(a2+k2)+C
/integraldisplay
sinhxdx = cosh x+C
/integraldisplay
coshxdx = sinh x+C
/integraldisplay
tanhxdx = ln cosh x+C
/integraldisplay
sech2xdx = tanh x+C
/integraldisplay
csch2xdx = coth x+C
/integraldisplay1
a2+x2dx=1
aarctan/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg
+C
/integraldisplay1
a2−x2dx=1
atanh−1/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg
=1
2aln/parenleftbigga+x
a−x/parenrightbigg
+C
/integraldisplay1
(a2−x2)1/2dx= arcsin/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg
+C
=−arccos/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg
+C
/integraldisplay1
(x2−a2)1/2dx= cosh−1/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg
+C
/integraldisplayx2
(a2+x2)dx=x−aarctan/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg
+C
/integraldisplay1
(a2+x2)1/2dx= ln[ x+ (x2+a2)1/2] +C
= sinh−1/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg
+C
/integraldisplay1
(a2+x2)3/2dx= sin/bracketleftbigg
arctan/parenleftbiggx
a/parenrightbigg/bracketrightbigg
/a2+C
=1
a2x
(a2+x2)1/2+C
/integraldisplayx1/2
(a−x)1/2dx=aarcsin (√(x/a))−a/radicalig
x/a−(x/a)2+C
/integraldisplayx
(a2+x2)1/2dx= (a2+x2)1/2+C
/integraldisplay1
(a+bx2)2dx=x
2a(a+bx2)+1
2a√(ab)arctan[ x√(b/a)] +C
17
2.9 Definite Integrals
/integraldisplay∞
0x1/2e−xdx=√π
2/integraldisplay∞
0x1/2
(ex−1)dx=2.61√π
2
/integraldisplay∞
0xne−xdx=/integraldisplay1
0/parenleftbigg
ln1
x/parenrightbiggn
= Γ(n+ 1) the Gamma function
Note: for nan integer greater than 0, Γ( n+ 1) = n!, Γ(1) = 0! = 1
2√π/integraldisplayu
0e−x2dx= erf( u) the Error function
Note that erf( ∞) = 1, so that2√π/integraldisplay∞
0e−ax2dx=1√a.
/integraldisplay∞
−∞e−ax2dx=/radicalbiggπ
a
/integraldisplay∞
0x2ne−ax2dx=1×3×5× ≤≤≤ × (2n−1)
2n+1an/radicalbiggπ
a≡S(n= 1,2,3...)
/integraldisplay∞
−∞x2ne−ax2dx= 2S
/integraldisplay∞
0x2n+1e−ax2dx=n!
2an+1(a >0;n= 0,1,2...)
/integraldisplay+∞
−∞x2n+1e−ax2dx= 0
/integraldisplay∞
0x2ln(1−e−x)dx=−π4
45
/integraldisplay∞
0e−axcos(kx)dx=a
a2+k2
/integraldisplay∞
01
1 +x2ndx=π/2n
sin(π/2n)
18
2.10 Curvilinear Coordinate Systems
Definitions
Spherical Coordinates
x=rsinθcosφ
y=rsinθsinφ
z=rcosθ
Cylindrical Coordinates
x=rcosφ
y=rsinφ
z=z
Elements of area and volume
Elements of Area
Cartesian ( x,y)dS=dxdy
Plane polar ( r,θ)dS=r dr dθ
Elements of Volume
Cartesian ( x,y,z )dV=dxdy dz
Spherical polar ( r,θ,φ)dV=r2sinθ dr dθ dφ
Cylindrical polar ( r,φ,z)dV=r dr dφdz
miscellaneous
Area of elementary circular annulus, width dr, centred on the origin: dS= 2πrdr
Volume of elementary cylindrical annulus of height dzand thickness dr:dV= 2πrdrdz
Volume of elementary spherical shell of thickness dr, centred on the origin: dV= 4πr2dr
19
Z
XY
r/0/0/0/0
/1/1/1/1
direction
Cylindrical polar co-ordinatesz direction
φ directionx = r cos
y = r sin
z = zφφ
P(r, ,z)φ
Volume elementZ
XY
dz
dr
r dφ
Z
XYφ
Spherical Polar co-ordinatesr
φθP(r,θ,φ)x = r sin θcosφ
y = r sin θsinφ
z = r cos
θ Z
XY
Volume elementdr
r dr sin d
θφ
Figure 2.1: Coordinate Systems and Elements of volume.
20
Solid angle
Elementary
solid angle d Ωda
steradiansr θNormal to
elementary area da
d = da cosΩ θ
r2
Figure 2.2: Solid angle.
1. The solid angle subtended by any closed surface at any point insi de the surface is
4π;
2. The solid angle subtended by any closed surface at a point outsid e the surface is
zero.
21
2.11 Vectors and Vector Algebra
Vectors are quantities with bothmagnitude and direction; they are combined by the
triangle rule (see Fig. 2.3).
A+B=B+A=C
θBC
A
Figure 2.3: Vector addition.
Vectors may be denoted by bold type A, by putting a little arrow over the symbol /vectorA, or
by underlining the symbol A. Unit vectors are usually denoted by a circumflex accent
(e.g.ˆi).
Magnitude etc.
|A|=√(A≤A) =√(A2
x+A2
y+A2
z)
The angle θbetween two vectors AandBis given by
cosθ=A≤B
|A||B|=AxBx+AyBy+AzBz/radicalig
(A2
x+A2
y+A2
z)(B2
x+B2
y+B2
z)
Unit vectors
Unit vector in the direction of A=A/|A|
Cartesian co-ordinates: ˆi,ˆj,ˆkare unit vectors in the directions of the x,y,z cartesian axes
respectively.
IfAx,Ay,Azare the cartesian components of Athen
A=ˆiAx+ˆjAy+ˆkAz
Addition and subtraction
A+B=B+A(Commutative law)
(A+B) +C=A+ (B+C) (Associative law)
22
p
AθB
Figure 2.4: Vector (or Cross) Product; the vector pis directed out of the page.
Products
Scalar product
A≤B≡ |A||B|cosθ=B≤A(ascalar )
ˆi≤ˆi=ˆj≤ˆj=ˆk≤ˆk= 1
ˆi≤ˆj=ˆj≤ˆk=ˆk≤ˆi= 0
A≤B=AxBx+AyBy+AzBz
A≤(B+C) =A≤B+A≤C
Vector (or Cross) product
See Fig. 2.4
A×B=−B×A= (|A||B|sinθ)ˆ p(avector )
where ˆ pis aunitvector perpendicular to both AandB. Note that the vector product is
non-commutative.
ˆi׈j=ˆk ˆj׈k=ˆiˆk׈i=ˆj
ˆi׈i=ˆj׈j=ˆk׈k= 0
Also, in cartesian co-ordinates,
A×B= (AyBz−AzBy)ˆi+ (AzBx−AxBz)ˆj+ (AxBy−AyBx)ˆk
=/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingleˆiˆjˆk
AxAyAz
BxByBz/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
23
Scalar triple product
(A×B)≤C= (B×C)≤A= (C×A)≤B(ascalar )
(Note the cyclic order: A→B→C)
=/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingleAxAyAz
BxByBz
CxCyCz/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
=Ax(ByCz−BzCy) +Ay(BzCx−BxCz) +Az(BxCy−ByCx)
Vector triple product
A×(B×C) = (A≤C)B−(A≤B)C (avector )
A×(B×C) +B×(C×A) +C×(A×B) = 0 (Note the cyclic order: A→B→C)
24
2.12 Complex Numbers
z=a+ibis a complex number where a,barerealandi=√−1 (N.B. sometimes jis
used instead of i).
ais the realpart of zandbis the imaginary part. Sometimes the real part of a complex
quantity zis denoted by ℜ(z), the imaginary part by ℑ(z).
Ifa1+ib1=a2+ib2thena1=a2andb1=b2.
Modulus and argument
The modulus of z≡ |z|=√
a2+b2.
The argument of z=θ= arctan( b/a)
Complex conjugate
To form the complex conjugate of any complex number simply rep laceiby−iwherever
it occurs in the number. Thus if z=a+ibthen the complex conjugate is z∗=a−ib.
Ifz=Ae−ixthenz∗=A∗e+ix.
Note:|z|=√
zz∗=/radicalig
(a+ib)(a−ib) =√
a2+b2
Rationalization
Ifz=A/B, where AandBare both complex numbers, then the quotient can be ‘ratio-
nalized’ as follows:
z=A
B=AB∗
BB∗=AB∗
|B|2
and the denominator is now real.
Polar form
See Fig. 2.5. If z=a+ibthen|z|=√
a2+b2andθ= arctan( b/a). Note when evaluating
arctan( b/a),θmust be put in the correct quadrant (see Fig 2.6).
eiθ= cos θ+isinθ(Euler’s identity)
sinθ=eiθ−e−iθ
2icosθ=eiθ+e−iθ
2
z=a+ib
=|z|cosθ+i|z|sinθ
=|z|exp[iθ]
Ifz1=|z1|exp[iθ1] and z2=|z2|exp[iθ2]
then z1z2=|z1||z2|expi[θ1+θ2]
andz1
z2=|z1|
|z2|expi[θ1−θ2]
25
#############
b
aθ|z|Imaginary part
ofz
Real part
ofza=|z|cosθ
b=|z|sinθ
Figure 2.5: Argand diagram.
Ifzn=wwhere w=|w|exp[iθ]
then z=|w|1/nexp[i(θ+ 2kπ)/n] where k= 0,1,2...(n−1)
|zn|=|z|n
|z|m|z|n=|z|m+n
/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglez1
z2/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle=|z1|
|z2|
DeMoivre’s theorem
einθ= (cos θ+isinθ)n= cos nθ+isinnθwhere n is an integer
Trigonometric and hyperbolic functions
sinh(iθ) = isinθ
cosh(iθ) = cos θ
tanh(iθ) = itanθsin(iθ) = isinhθ
cos(iθ) = cosh θ
tan(iθ) = itanhθ
Figure 2.6: Selecting the correct quadrant for θ= arctan( b/a)
26
2.13 Series
Arithmetic progression (A.P.)
S=a+ (a+d) + (a+ 2d) + (a+ 3d) +≤≤≤+ (a+ [n−1]d)
Sum over nterms is
Sn=n
2[2a+ (n−1)d]
Geometric progression (G.P.)
S=a+ar+ar2+ar3+≤≤≤+arn−1
Sum over nterms is
Sn=a(1−rn)
(1−r)
If|r|<1 the sum to infinity is
S∞=a
(1−r)
Binomial theorem
(a+b)n=an+nan−1b+n(n−1)
2!an−2b2+n(n−1)(n−2)
3!an−3b3+≤≤≤
Ifnis apositive integer the series contains ( n+ 1) terms. If nis anegative integer or a
positive or negative fraction the series is infinite. The series converges if |b/a|<1.
Special cases:
(1±x)n= 1±nx+n(n−1)
2!x2±n(n−1)(n−2)
3!x3+≤≤≤Valid for all n.
(1±x)−1= 1∓x+x2∓x3+x4∓ ≤≤≤
(1±x)−2= 1∓2x+ 3x2∓4x3+ 5x4∓ ≤≤≤
(1±x)1
2= 1±x
2−x2
8±x3
16−5x4
128± ≤≤≤
(1±x)−1
2= 1∓x
2+3x2
8∓5x3
16+35x4
128∓ ≤≤≤
Maclaurin’s theorem
f(x) =f(0) +xdf
dx/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=0+x2
2!d2f
dx2/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=0+x3
3!d3f
dx3/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=0+≤≤≤+xn
n!dnf
dxn/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=0+≤≤≤
where, for example d2f/dx2|x=0means the result of forming the second derivative of f(x)
with respect to xandthensetting x= 0.
27
Taylor’s theorem
f(x) =f(a) + (x−a)df
dx/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=a+(x−a)2
2!d2f
dx2/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=a+(x−a)3
3!d3f
dx3/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=a+≤≤≤
≤≤≤+(x−a)n
n!dnf
dxn/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
x=a+≤≤≤
where, for example d2f/dx2|x=aagain means the result of forming the second derivative
off(x) with respect to xandthensetting x=a.
Series expansions of trigonometric functions
sinθ=θ−θ3
3!+θ5
5!−θ7
7!+≤≤≤
cosθ= 1−θ2
2!+θ4
4!−θ6
6!+≤≤≤
Forθinradians and small (i.e. θ≪1):
sinθ≃θ Error <∼4 % for θ<∼30◦≃0.52 radians
tanθ≃θ Error <∼4 % for θ<∼30◦≃0.52 radians
cosθ≃1 Error <∼4 % for θ<∼16◦≃0.28 radians
Series expansions of exponential functions
e±x= 1±x+x2
2!±x3
3!+x4
4!+≤≤≤ Convergent for all values of x
ln(1 + x) = x−x2
2+x3
3−x4
4+≤≤≤ Convergent for −1< x≤1
Forxsmall (i.e. x≪1):
e±x≡exp[±x]≃1±x≤≤≤
ln(1±x)≃ ±x≤≤≤
Series expansions of hyperbolic functions
sinhx≡1
2(ex−e−x) =x+x3
3!+x5
5!+≤≤≤
coshx≡1
2(ex+e−x) = 1 +x2
2!+x4
4!+≤≤≤
28
L’Hˆ opital’s rule
If two functions f(x) and g(x) are both zero or infinite at x=athe ratio f(a)/g(a) is
undefined. However the limit of f(x)/g(x) asxapproaches amay exist. This may be
found from
limx→af(x)
g(x)=f′(a)
g′(a)
where f′(a) means the result of differentiating f(x) with respect to xandthenputting
x=a.
Convergence Tests
D’Alembert’s ratio test
In a series,∞/summationdisplay
n=1an, let the ratio R= limn→∞/parenleftbiggan+1
an/parenrightbigg
.
•IfR <1 the series is convergent
•IfR >1 the series is divergent
•IfR= 1 the test fails.
The Integral Test
A sum to infinity of anconverges if/integraldisplay∞
1andnis finite. This can only be applied to series
where anis positive and decreasing as ngets larger.
29
2.14 Ordinary Differential Equations
General points
1. In general, finding a function which is ‘a solution of’ (i.e. sa tisfies) any particular
differential equation is a trial and error process. It involves i nductive not deductive
reasoning, comparable with integration as opposed to different iation.
2. If the highest differential coefficient in the equation is the nththen the general
solution must contain narbitrary constants.
3. The known physical conditions–the boundary conditions –may enable one particular
solution or a set of solutions to be selected from the infinite famil y of possible
mathematical solutions; that is boundary conditions may allo w specific values to be
assigned to the arbitrary constants in the general solution.
4. Virtually all the ordinary differential equations met in basi c physics are linear, that
is the differential coefficients occur to the first power only.
Definitions
order of a differential equation
Theorder of a differential equation is the order of the highest differentia l coefficient it
contains.
degree of a differential equation
Thedegree of a differential equation is the power to which the highest order differential
coefficient is raised.
dependent and independent variables
Ordinary differential equations involve only two variables, o ne of which is referred to as
thedependent variable and the other as the independent variable. It is usually clear from
the nature of the physical problem which is the independent an d which is the dependent
variable.
30
First Order Differential Equations
Direct Integration
The equationdy
dx=f(x) has the solution y=/integraldisplay
f(x)dx. Thus it can be solved (in
principle) by direct integration.
Separable Variables
First order differential equations of the formdy
dx=f(x)g(y), where f(x) is a function of
xonly and g(y) is a function of yonly. Dividing both sides by g(y) and integrating gives/integraldisplaydy
g(y)=/integraldisplay
f(x)dx+C, which can be used to obtain the solution of y(x).
The linear equation
A general first order linear equation of the formdy
dx+P(x)y=Q(x)
This can be solved by multiplying through by an ‘integrating f actor’ eI, where I=/integraltextP(x)dx, so that the original equation can be rewritten as
d
dx/parenleftig
yeI/parenrightig
=eIQ(x)
Since QandIare only functions of xwe can integrate both sides to obtain
yeI=/integraldisplay
Q(x)eIdx
Second Order Differential Equations
Direct Integration
Equations of the formd2y
dx2=f(x), can be solved by integrating twice:
y=/integraldisplay/bracketleftbigg/integraldisplay
f(x)dx+C/bracketrightbigg
dx=/integraldisplay/bracketleftbigg/integraldisplay
f(x)dx/bracketrightbigg
dx+Cx+D
Note that there are two arbitrary constants, CandD.
31
Homogeneous Second Order Differential Equations
ad2y
dx2+bdy
dx+cy= 0
where a,bandcare constants. Letting y=Aeαx, gives the auxiliary equation
aα2+bα+c= 0
This is solved for αusing the quadratic equation, which gives two values for α,α1and
α2. The general solution is the combination of the two, y=Aeα1x+Beα2x.
The auxiliary equation has real roots When b2>4ac, both α1andα2are real. The
general solution is y=Aeα1x+Beα2x.
The auxiliary equation has complex roots When b2<4ac, both α1andα2are com-
plex. Using Euler’s Equation, substituting C=A+BandD=i(A−B), the general
solution can be written as
y=eαx(Ccos(βx) +Dsin(βx))
where α=−b/(2a) and β=/radicalig
(4ac−b2)/(2a).
The auxiliary equation has equal roots When b2= 4ac, there is only one α. The
general solution is given by y= (A+Bx)eαx
Non-homogeneous Second Order Differential Equations
Non-homogeneous second order differential equations are of the form
ad2y
dx2+bdy
dx+cy=f(x)
To solve, first solve the homogeneous equation (i.e. for right-ha nd side = 0),
ad2y
dx2+bdy
dx+cy= 0
using the method given above to get the solution
y=Aeα1x+Beα2x
which is known as the complementary function (CF) . Then we find a particular solution
(PS)for the whole equation. The general solution is CF + PS.
The particular solution is taken to be the same form as the funct ionf(x).
f(x) =kassume y=C
f(x) =kxassume y=Cx+D
f(x) =kx2assume y=Cx2+Dx+E
f(x) =ksinxorkcosxassume y=Ccosx+Dsinx
f(x) =ekxassume y=Cekx
32
2.15 Partial Differentiation
Definition
Iff=f(x,y) with xandyindependent, then
/parenleftigg∂f
∂x/parenrightigg
y≡lim
δx→0f(x+δx,y)−f(x,y)
δx
= derivative with respect to xwithykept constant
/parenleftigg∂f
∂y/parenrightigg
x≡lim
δy→0f(x,y+δy)−f(x,y)
δy
= derivative with respect to ywithxkept constant
The rules of partial differentiation are the same as differentia tion, always
bearing in mind which term is varying and which are constant.
Convenient notation
fx=∂f
∂x,fxx=∂2f
∂x2, fxy=∂2f
∂x∂y, fy=∂f
∂y, fyy=∂2f
∂y2, fyx=∂2f
∂y∂x
Note that for functions with continuous derivatives fxy=∂2f
∂x∂y=∂2f
∂y∂x=fyx
Total Derivatives
Total change in fdue to infinitesimal changes in both xandy:
df=/parenleftigg∂f
∂x/parenrightigg
ydx+/parenleftigg∂f
∂y/parenrightigg
xdy
df
dx=/parenleftigg∂f
∂x/parenrightigg
y+/parenleftigg∂f
∂y/parenrightigg
xdy
dxis the total derivative offwith respect to x.
df
dy=/parenleftigg∂f
∂y/parenrightigg
x+/parenleftigg∂f
∂x/parenrightigg
ydx
dyis the total derivative offwith respect to y.
For a function where each variable depends upon a third param eter, such as f(x,y) where
xandydepend on time ( t):
df
dt=/parenleftigg∂f
∂x/parenrightigg
ydx
dt+/parenleftigg∂f
∂y/parenrightigg
xdy
dt
33
Maxima and Minima with two or more variables
Iffis a function of two or more variables we can still find the maximu m and minimum
points of the function. Consider a 3-d surface given by f=f(x,y). We can identify the
following types of stationary points where gradients are zero:
peak – alocal maximum
pit– alocal minimum
pass orsaddle point – minimum in one direction, maximum in the other.
-10
-5
0
5
10-10-5 0 5 10-200-180-160-140-120-100-80-60-40-20 0
-10
-5
0
5
10-10-5 0 5 10-100-80-60-40-20 0 20 40 60 80 100
Figure 2.7: Surface plots showing a peak (left) and a saddle Poi nt (right)
At each peak, pit or pass, the function fis stationary, i.e.
∂f
∂x=∂f
∂y= 0
Letf(x0,y0) be a stationary point and define the second derivative test discriminant as
D=/parenleftigg∂2f
∂x2/parenrightigg /parenleftigg∂2f
∂y2/parenrightigg
−/parenleftigg∂2f
∂x∂y/parenrightigg2
=fxxfyy−f2
xy
which is evaluated at ( x0,y0) and,
ifD >0 and fxx>0 we have a pit (minimum)
ifD >0 and fxx<0 we have a peak (maximum)
ifD <0 we have a pass (saddle point)
ifD= 0 we do not know, have to test further comparing f(x0,y0),f(x0±dx,y 0),
f(x0,y0±dy), i.e. compare with values close to f(x0,y0).
34
2.16 Partial Differential Equations
The following partial differential equations are basic to physi cs:
One dimension
−−
−−
∂2φ
∂x2=D∂φ
∂t
∂2φ
∂x2=1
c2∂2φ
∂t2Three dimensions
∇2φ= 0 Laplace’s equation
∇2φ= constant Poisson’s equation
∇2φ=D∂φ
∂tDiffusion equation
∇2φ=1
c2∂2φ
∂2tWave equation
In general a partial differential equation can be satisfied by a wid e variety of different
functions, i.e. if φ=f(x,t) orφ=f(x,y,z ),fmay take many different forms which are
notequivalent ways of representing the same set of surfaces. For exam ple,anycontinuous,
differentiable function of ( x±ct) will fit the one-dimensional wave equation.
‘Solving’ these partial differential equations in a particula r physical context therefore
involves choosing not just constants but also the functions whic h fit the boundary condi-
tions. Equations involving three or four independent variab les, e.g. ( x,y,t) or (x,y,z,t )
can be solved only when the ‘boundaries’ are surfaces of some simpl e co-ordinate sys-
tem, such as rectangular, polar, cylindrical polar, spherica l polar. The partial differential
equations can then be separated into a number of ordinary differential equations in the
separate co-ordinates, and solutions can be expressed as expansio ns of various classical
mathematical functions. This is analogous to the general rep resentation of the solution
f(x±ct) of the one-dimensional wave equation by a Fourier series of sin e and cosine
functions.
35
2.17 Determinants and Matrices
Determinants
The general set of simultaneous linear equations may be writte n as:
a11x1+a12x2+a13x3+≤≤≤+a1nxn=y1
a21x1+a22x2+a23x3+≤≤≤+a2nxn=y2
a31x1+a32x2+a33x3+≤≤≤+a3nxn=y3
...
am1x1+am2x2+am3x3+≤≤≤+amnxn=ym
The solutions of these equations are:
xk=1
Dn/summationdisplay
j=1yjDjk (Cramer’s rule)
where
D=/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglea11a12a13≤≤≤a1n
a21a22a23≤≤≤a2n
...
am1am2am3≤≤≤amn/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
is the determinant of the coefficients of the xiand where
Djk= (−1)j+k×[determinant obtained by suppressing the jth
row and the kthcolumn of D]
Djkis called the co-factor ofajk. The determinant Dcan be expanded, and ultimately
evaluated, as follows:
D=a11D11+a12D12+≤≤≤+a1nD1n(‘expansion by the first row’)
or
D=a11D11+a21D21+≤≤≤+am1Dm1(‘expansion by the first column’)
The expansion procedure is repeated for D1netc. until the remaining determinants have
dimensions 2 ×2. If
D=/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglea b
c d/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglethenD= (ad−bc)
Note: this method is very tedious for m,n > 3 and it may be better to use a ‘condensation’
procedure (see text books).
example/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglea11a12a13
a21a22a23
a31a32a33/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle=a11/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglea22a23
a32a33/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle−a12/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglea21a23
a31a33/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle+a13/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsinglea21a22
a31a32/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
=a11(a22a33−a32a23)−a12(a21a33−a31a23) +a13(a21a32−a22a31)
Note that the value of a determinant is unaltered if the rows an d columns are interchanged.
See Sections on Vectors and Vector Calculus, where vector pro duct and the curl of a
vector are expressed as determinants.
36
Matrices
The general set of simultaneous linear equations above can be w ritten as
a11a12≤≤≤a1n
a21a22≤≤≤a2n
...
am1am2≤≤≤amn
(an [m×n] matrix)
x1
x2
...
xn
=
y1
y2
...
ym
(column vectors)
where the arrays of ordered coefficients are called matrices . One of the coefficients, or
terms, is called an ‘element’ and a matrix is often denoted by t he general element [ aij],
where iindicates the row and jthe column.
Addition of matrices
If two matrices are of the same order m×nthen
[aij] + [bij] = [aij+bij]
Scalar multiplication
Ifλis ascalar number then
λ[aij] = [λaij]
Matrix multiplication
Multiplication of two matrices [ aij],[bij] is possible onlyif the number of columns in [aij]
is the same as the number of rowsin [bij]. The product [ cij] is given by
[cij] =n/summationdisplay
k=1aikbkj
Note
1. Matrix multiplication is not defined unless the two matrices have the appropriate
number of rows and columns.
2. Matrix multiplication is generally non-commutative: AB/ne}ationslash=BA
The unit matrix
The unit (or identity) matrix, denoted by I, is a square ( n×n) matrix with its diagonal
elements equal to unity and all other elements zero. For exam ple the 3 ×3 unit matrix is
I=
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1
If we have a square matrix Aof order nand the unit matrix of the same order then
IA=AI=A
and in general, provided the matrix product is defined (see abov e), multiplying anymatrix
Aby a unit matrix leaves Aunchanged.
37
The transpose of a matrix
If the rows and columns of a matrix are interchanged, a new mat rix, called the transposed
matrix , is obtained. The transpose of a matrix Ais denoted by AT. For example if
A=
a11a12
a21a22
a31a32
then
AT=/bracketleftigg
a11a21a31
a12a22a32/bracketrightigg
The adjoint matrix
The adjoint of a matrix (denoted by adj A) is defined as the transpose of the matrix of the
cofactors , where the cofactors are as defined above (see Section on Determ inants, p. 36).
The inverse of a matrix
The inverse A−1of a matrix Ahas the property that
A−1A=AA−1=I,
the unit matrix. It is evaluated as follows:
A−1=adjA
|A|,
where |A|is the determinant of A.
Hermitian and unitary matrices
If a matrix Acontains complex elements then the complex conjugate of Ais found by tak-
ing the complex conjugate of the individual elements. A matri xAis said to be Hermitian
if
/tildewiderA∗=A
Aunitary matrix is defined by the condition
A/tildewiderA∗=I
38
2.18 Vector Calculus
Differentiation of vectors (non-rotating axes)
dA
dt=ˆidAx
dt+ˆjdAy
dt+ˆkdAz
dt
d(A≤B)
dt=/parenleftigg
A≤dB
dt/parenrightigg
+/parenleftiggdA
dt≤B/parenrightigg
d(A×B)
dt=/parenleftigg
A×dB
dt/parenrightigg
+/parenleftiggdA
dt×B/parenrightigg
Gradient of a scalar function
^z
rφφ
r
z^^
θ
φrφ^r^
θ^
Figure 2.8: Cylindrical (left) and Spherical (right) polar s.
cartesian co-ordinates
∇ ≡ˆi∂
∂x+ˆj∂
∂y+ˆk∂
∂z(avector operator).
∇U= grad U, where Uis a scalar. ∇Uis a vector.
∇(U+V) =∇U+∇V U,V scalars.
∇(UV) =V(∇U) + (∇U)V
cylindrical co-ordinates
∇ ≡ˆ r∂
∂r+ˆφ1
r∂
∂φ+ˆ z∂
∂z
spherical polar co-ordinates
∇ ≡ˆ r∂
∂r+ˆθ1
r∂
∂θ+ˆφ1
rsinθ∂
∂φ
39
Divergence of a vector function
cartesian co-ordinates
∇ ≤A=∂Ax
∂x+∂Ay
∂y+∂Az
∂z
≡divA ascalar
cylindrical polar co-ordinates
∇ ≤A=1
r∂
∂r(rAr) +1
r∂Aφ
∂φ+∂Az
∂z
spherical polar co-ordinates
∇ ≤A=1
r2∂
∂r(r2Ar) +1
rsinθ∂
∂θ(Aθsinθ) +1
rsinθ∂Aφ
∂φ
Curl of a vector function
cartesian co-ordinates
∇ ×A≡curlA=/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingleˆiˆjˆk
∂
∂x∂
∂y∂
∂z
AxAyAz/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
≡/parenleftigg∂Az
∂y−∂Ay
∂z/parenrightigg
ˆi+/parenleftigg∂Ax
∂z−∂Az
∂x/parenrightigg
ˆj+/parenleftigg∂Ay
∂x−∂Ax
∂y/parenrightigg
ˆk
cylindrical polar co-ordinates
∇ ×A=1
r/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingleˆ rrˆφˆ z
∂
∂r∂
∂φ∂
∂z
ArrAφAz/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
≡/parenleftigg1
r∂Az
∂φ−∂Aφ
∂z/parenrightigg
ˆ r+/parenleftigg∂Ar
∂z−∂Az
∂r/parenrightigg
ˆφ+1
r/parenleftigg∂
∂r(rAφ)−∂Ar
∂φ/parenrightigg
ˆ z
spherical polar co-ordinates
∇ ×A=1
r2sinθ/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingleˆ rrˆθrsinθˆφ
∂
∂r∂
∂θ∂
∂φ
ArrAθrAφsinθ/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle/vextendsingle
≡1
rsinθ/parenleftigg∂
∂θ(Aφsinθ)−∂Aθ
∂φ/parenrightigg
ˆ r+1
r/parenleftigg1
sinθ∂Ar
∂φ−∂
∂r(rAφ)/parenrightigg
ˆθ
+1
r/parenleftigg∂
∂r(rAθ)−∂Ar
∂θ/parenrightigg
ˆφ
40
Relations
∇ ×(∇U)≡0
∇ ≤(∇ ×A)≡0
∇ ≤(∇U)≡ ∇2U=∂2U
∂x2+∂2U
∂y2+∂2U
∂z2
∇ ×(∇ ×A) = ∇(∇ ≤A)− ∇2A
The Laplacian operator ∇2
cartesian co-ordinates
∇2=∂2
∂x2+∂2
∂y2+∂2
∂z2
cylindrical polar co-ordinates
∇2=1
r/bracketleftigg∂
∂r/parenleftigg
r∂
∂r/parenrightigg
+∂
∂φ/parenleftigg1
r∂
∂φ/parenrightigg
+∂
∂z/parenleftigg
r∂
∂z/parenrightigg/bracketrightigg
=∂2
∂r2+1
r∂
∂r+1
r2∂2
∂φ2+∂2
∂z2
spherical polar co-ordinates
∇2=1
r2sinθ/bracketleftigg∂
∂r/parenleftigg
r2sinθ∂
∂r/parenrightigg
+∂
∂θ/parenleftigg
sinθ∂
∂θ/parenrightigg
+∂
∂φ1
sinθ∂
∂φ/bracketrightigg
=∂2
∂r2+2
r∂
∂r+1
r2∂2
∂θ2+cotθ
r2∂
∂θ+1
r2sin2θ∂2
∂φ2
Integral theorems
Divergence/Gauss’ theorem
/dispoiint
SA≤ds=/dispiiint
V(∇ ≤A)dV
Stokes’ theorem
/contintegraldisplay
LA≤dl=/dispiint
S(∇ ×A)≤ds
Green’s theorem
/dispoiint
S(θ∇φ−φ∇θ)≤ds=/dispiiint
V(θ∇2φ−φ∇2θ)dV
41
2.19 Fourier Series
If a function f(t) is periodic in twith period T, (i.e. f(t+nT) =f(t) for any integer n
and all t), then
f(t) =a0
2+∞/summationdisplay
n=1/bracketleftbigg
ancos/parenleftbigg2πnt
T/parenrightbigg
+bnsin/parenleftbigg2πnt
T/parenrightbigg/bracketrightbigg
where
a0=2
T/integraldisplayT
0f(t)dt
an=2
T/integraldisplayT
0f(t) cos/parenleftbigg2πnt
T/parenrightbigg
dt
bn=2
T/integraldisplayT
0f(t) sin/parenleftbigg2πnt
T/parenrightbigg
dt
Notes:
1.tcan be any continuous variable, not necessarily time .
2. The function f(t) is a continuous function from t=−∞tot= +∞. For some
functions t= 0 may be so chosen as to produce a simpler series in which either all
an= 0 or allbn= 0, e.g. a ‘square’ wave. See Fig. 2.9.
t = T
t = 0f(t)
t
t = T t = 0f(t)
t
Figure 2.9: Even function (left), f(+t) =f(−t) sobn= 0. Odd function (right), f(+t) =
−f(−t) soan= 0
42
Complex form of the Fourier series
f(t) =∞/summationdisplay
n=−∞Cnexp/parenleftbigg
i2πnt
T/parenrightbigg
where
Cn=1
T/integraldisplayT
0f(t) exp/parenleftbigg
−i2πnt
T/parenrightbigg
dt
=1
2(an−ibn) forn >0
=1
2(an+ibn) forn <0
ℜ[Cn] =1
T/integraldisplayT
0f(t) cos/parenleftbigg2πnt
T/parenrightbigg
dt
ℑ[Cn] =−1
T/integraldisplayT
0f(t) sin/parenleftbigg2πnt
T/parenrightbigg
dt
Average value of the product of two periodic functions
f1(t)f2(t) =∞/summationdisplay
n=−∞(C1)n(C2)n
where the ‘bar’ means ‘averaged over a complete period’.
{f(t)}2=∞/summationdisplay
n=−∞CnC−n=/summationdisplay
nCnC∗
n=/summationdisplay
n|Cn|2
=a2
0
4+∞/summationdisplay
n=11
2(a2
n+b2
n)
Fourier transforms
For non-periodic functions:
F(ω) =/integraldisplay∞
−∞f(t) exp[−iωt]dt Fourier transform
f(t) =1
2π/integraldisplay∞
−∞F(ω) exp[iωt]dω inverse Fourier transform
The functions f(t) and F(ω) are called a Fourier transform pair. Some examples are
given in Figure 2.10.
43
TOP HAT FUNCTION
f(t)
h
a tF( )
ωω
0ha
2=
aah sinωa2
ωa2
= sincωa2
π 4π
a
GAUSSIAN FUNCTIONf(t)
th
eh
f(t) = h exp [-t / 2σ2]F( )ω
ωσ h
ωeσ π πh
2σ0
F( )= hσ πexp[-σ ω2 24]
DELTA FUNCTIONf(t)
t
f(t) dt = 1 f(t) = 0 except for t = 0 and 8
-8F( )
F( ) = 1
1
0ωω
ωω
Figure 2.10: Examples of Fourier transforms
44
2.20 Statistics
Mean and RMS
Ifx1,x2,≤≤≤xnarenvalues of some quantity, then
Thearithmetic mean is
x=1
nn/summationdisplay
ixi=1
n(x1+x2+≤≤≤+xn)
Thegeometric mean is
xGM=/parenleftiggn/productdisplay
ixi/parenrightigg1/n
=n√x1×x2× ≤≤≤ × xn
Theroot-mean-square (RMS) is
RMS =/radicaltp/radicalvertex/radicalvertex/radicalbt1
n/summationdisplay
ix2
i=/radicaligg
x2
1+x2
2+≤≤≤+x2
n
n
Permutations
Permutations of nthings taken rat a time
=n(n−1)(n−2)≤≤≤(n−r+ 1) =n!
(n−r)!≡nPr
Combinations
Combinations of nthings taken rat a time
=n!
r!(n−r)!≡nCr
Note that in a permutation the order in which selection is made is significant. Thus
ABC/bracehtipupleft/bracehtipdownright/bracehtipdownleft/bracehtipuprightDEFG is a different permutation , but the same combination , asACB/bracehtipupleft/bracehtipdownright/bracehtipdownleft/bracehtipuprightDEFG .
Binomial distribution
Random variables can have twovalues A or B (e.g. heads or tails in the case of a toss of a
coin). Let the probability of A occurring = p, the probability of B occurring = (1 −p) =q.
The probability of A occurring mtimes in ntrials is
pm(A) =n!
m!(n−m)!pmqn−mN.B. 0! = 1
This is the mthterm in the binomial expansion of ( p+q)n.
45
Poisson distribution
Events occurring with average frequency νbut randomly distributed, in time for example
(e.g. radioactive decay of nuclei, shot noise, goals, floods and h orse kicks!). Probability
ofmevents occurring in time interval Tis
pm(T) =(νT)m
m!exp(−νT)
Normal distribution (Gaussian)
For a continuous variable which is randomly distributed abou t a mean value θwith
standard deviation σ, (e.g. random experimental errors of measurement), the prob ability
that a measurement lies between xandx+dxis
p(x)dx=1
σ√
2πexp/parenleftigg
−(x−θ)2
2σ2/parenrightigg
dx.
The quantity σ2is also known as the variance .
Given a sample of Nmeasurements, the mean value of the sample, ¯ x, is an unbiased
estimator of θ, and the sample standard deviation ,sN−1=/radicalbigg/summationtext
i(xi−¯x)2
N−1is an unbiased
estimator of σ.
Thestandard error on the mean (SEM) is:
σ¯x=sN−1√
N.
For large N, the difference ¯ x−θis itself a normal distribution with mean 0 and standard
deviation σ¯x.
46
Selected Physics Formulae
3.1 Equations of Electromagnetism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
3.2 Equations of Relativistic Kinematics and Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
3.3 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
47
3.1 Equations of Electromagnetism
Definitions
B=θrθ0H= magnetic field
D=ǫrǫ0E= electric displacement
E= electric field
J= conduction current density
ρ= charge density
where ǫrandθrare the relative permittivity and permeability respectivel y. The definitions
forBandDare for linear, isotropic, homogeneous media.
Biot-Savart law
dB=θ0
4πIdl×r
r3
Maxwell’s equations
These are four differential equations linking the space- and tim e-derivatives of the elec-
tromagnetic field quantities:
∇ ≤B= 0
∇ ≤D=ρ∇ ×E+∂B
∂t= 0
∇ ×H−∂D
∂t=J
They can also be expressed in integral form:
/integraldisplay
SB≤dS= 0
/integraldisplay
SD≤dS=/integraldisplay
τρdτ
/contintegraldisplay
E≤dl=−/integraldisplay∂B
∂t≤dS
/contintegraldisplay
H≤dl=/integraldisplay
S/parenleftigg
J+∂D
∂t/parenrightigg
≤dS
Energy density in an electric field =ǫrǫ0E2
2
Energy density in a magnetic field =θrθ0H2
2
Velocity of plane waves in a linear, homogeneous
and isotropic medium u= (θrǫrθ0ǫ0)−1/2
48
3.2 Equations of Relativistic Kinematics and
Mechanics
Definitions
E= energy;
m0= rest mass
p= linear momentum
v= relative velocity of reference frames in x,x′direction
γ= 1//radicalig
(1−v2/c2)
Lorentz transformations
Two inertial frames, SandS′, are such that S′moves relative to Salong the positive x
direction, with velocity vas measured in S; the origins coincide at time t=t′= 0. The
Lorentz transformations are:
x=γ(x′+vt′) x′=γ(x−vt)
t=γ/parenleftigg
t′+vx′
c2/parenrightigg
t′=γ/parenleftbigg
t−vx
c2/parenrightbigg
E2= (pc)2+ (m0c2)2
49
3.3 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Maxwell speed distribution
For a gas, molecular weight m, in thermodynamic equilibrium at temperature T, the
fraction f(v)dvof molecules with speed in the range v→v+dvis
f(v)dv= 4πv2/parenleftbiggm
2πkBT/parenrightbigg3/2
exp/bracketleftigg
−mv2
2kBT/bracketrightigg
dv
Thermodynamic variables
Helmholtz free energy:
Gibbs function:
Enthalpy:F=U−TS
G=U−TS+PV
H=U+PV
Maxwell’s thermodynamic relations
/parenleftigg∂T
∂V/parenrightigg
S=−/parenleftigg∂P
∂S/parenrightigg
V/parenleftigg∂T
∂P/parenrightigg
S=/parenleftigg∂V
∂S/parenrightigg
P
/parenleftigg∂V
∂T/parenrightigg
P=−/parenleftigg∂S
∂P/parenrightigg
T/parenleftigg∂S
∂V/parenrightigg
T=/parenleftigg∂P
∂T/parenrightigg
V
Statistical physics
Partition function: Z=/summationdisplay
ie−βEi=/summationdisplay
ie−Ei/kT
Helmholtz free energy: F=−kTlnZ
Entropy: S=kln Ω = −k/summationdisplay
ipilnpi
Blackbody radiation
The energy emitted per unit area, per unit time, into unit soli d angle, in the frequency
range ν→ν+dνis
B(T,ν) =2hν3
c21
(exp[hν/kT ]−1)
50
Quantum statistics
Distribution function:
f(Es) =/bracketleftigg
exp/parenleftigg(Es−θ)
kT/parenrightigg
±1/bracketrightigg−1
Fermi-Dirac: + sign; θ=EF
Bose-Einstein: −sign
N.B. for photons θ= 0.
For high energies E≫kTboth distributions reduce to the classical Maxwell-Boltzmann
distribution.
51
Bibliography
Tables of Physical and Chemical constants , compiled by G. W. C. Kaye & T. H. Laby,
Longmans.
Allen’s Astrophysical Quantities , ed A. C. Cox, AIP Press, Springer
Handbook of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics , M. V. Zombeck, Cambridge University
Press.
Electricity and Magnetism , Chapter 13, W. J. Duffin, McGraw Hill.
Special Relativity, A. P. French, Van Nostrand.
Mathematical methods for Science Students , 2nd. edition, G. Stephenson, Longmans.
The Elements , J. Emsley, Clarendon Press.
Table of Isotopes , C. M. Lederer, J. M. Hollander & I. Perlman, John Wiley & Sons.
Handbook of mathematical functions , Eds M. Abramowitz & I. E. Stegun, Dover Publica-
tions. Contains many useful mathematical formulae and tables of special functions.
An introduction to applied mathematics , Jaeger, Oxford University Press.
Mathematics of Physics and Chemistry , Margenau & Murphy, van Nostrand.
Tables of integrals, series and products , I. S. Gradshteyn & I. M. Ryzhik, Academic
Press. Contains virtually every integral ever solved.
52