(a) For smooth scalar fields u and v, derive the identity
∇⋅(u∇v−v∇u)=u∇2v−v∇2u
and deduce that
∫ρ⩽∣x∣⩽r(v∇2u−u∇2v)dV=∫∣x∣=r(v∂n∂u−u∂n∂v)dS−∫∣x∣=ρ(v∂n∂u−u∂n∂v)dS
Here ∇2 is the Laplacian, ∂n∂=n⋅∇ where n is the unit outward normal, and dS is the scalar area element.
(b) Give the expression for (∇×V)i in terms of ϵijk. Hence show that
∇×(∇×V)=∇(∇⋅V)−∇2V
(c) Assume that if ∇2φ=−ρ, where φ(x)=O(∣x∣−1) and ∇φ(x)=O(∣x∣−2) as ∣x∣→∞, then
φ(x)=∫R34π∣x−y∣ρ(y)dV.
The vector fields B and J satisfy
∇×B=J
Show that ∇⋅J=0. In the case that B=∇×A, with ∇⋅A=0, show that
A(x)=∫R34π∣x−y∣J(y)dV
and hence that
B(x)=∫R34π∣x−y∣3J(y)×(x−y)dV
Verify that A given by (∗) does indeed satisfy ∇⋅A=0. [It may be useful to make a change of variables in the right hand side of (∗).]