Is the Laplacian Operator Different in Radial Coordinates?

In summary, the Laplacian operator for three dimensions of two orders, \nabla ^2 is given by 1/r* d^2/dr^2 (r) + 1/r^2( 1/sin phi d/d phi sin phi d/d phi + 1/sin^2 phi * d^2/d theta^2). It can be used for a radial system by setting theta = 0, resulting in 1/r* d^2/dr^2 (r) + 1/r^2( 1/sin phi d/d phi sin phi d/d phi). This is the Laplacian operator of second order in radial (polar) coordinates.
  • #1
SeM
Hi, I have that the Laplacian operator for three dimensions of two orders,

\nabla ^2 is:

1/r* d^2/dr^2 (r) + 1/r^2( 1/sin phi d/d phi sin phi d/d phi + 1/sin^2 phi * d^2/d theta^2)

Can this operator be used for a radial system, where r and phi are still valid, but theta absent, by setting theta = 0 ?

so giving:1/r* d^2/dr^2 (r) + 1/r^2( 1/sin phi d/d phi sin phi d/d phi) ?

Does that make sense or is the Laplacian operator of second order in radial (polar) coordinates different?

Thanks
 
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Related to Is the Laplacian Operator Different in Radial Coordinates?

What is the Laplacian Operator in 2D?

The Laplacian Operator in 2D is a mathematical operator used to calculate the second derivative of a function with respect to both x and y variables. It is commonly used in fields such as physics, engineering, and mathematics to describe the behavior of a system in two-dimensional space.

How is the Laplacian Operator represented in mathematical notation?

The Laplacian Operator in 2D is typically represented using the symbol ∇^2 or Δ. It can also be written as ∇ ⋅ ∇. In Cartesian coordinates, it can be expressed as ∥^2 = ∂2/∂x2 + ∂2/∂y2.

What is the physical interpretation of the Laplacian Operator in 2D?

The Laplacian Operator in 2D represents the rate of change of a function at a specific point in two-dimensional space. It is used to describe the curvature or smoothness of a surface, as well as the flow or diffusion of a physical quantity in that space.

How is the Laplacian Operator used in real-world applications?

The Laplacian Operator in 2D has a wide range of applications in various fields, including fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, image processing, and computer vision. It is used to model and analyze the behavior of physical systems, as well as to enhance and manipulate images and data.

What are the limitations of the Laplacian Operator in 2D?

The Laplacian Operator in 2D is limited in its ability to accurately describe highly irregular or discontinuous functions. It also assumes that the function being analyzed is twice-differentiable, which may not always be the case in real-world scenarios. Additionally, the Laplacian Operator does not take into account boundary conditions, which can affect the behavior of the system being studied.

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