In plane polar coordinates (r,θ), the orthonormal basis vectors er and eθ satisfy
∂r∂er=∂r∂eθ=0,∂θ∂er=eθ,∂θ∂eθ=−er, and ∇=er∂r∂+eθr1∂θ∂
Hence derive the expression ∇⋅∇ϕ=r1∂r∂(r∂r∂ϕ)+r21∂θ2∂2ϕ for the Laplacian operator ∇2.
Calculate the Laplacian of ϕ(r,θ)=αrβcos(γθ), where α,β and γ are constants. Hence find all solutions to the equation
∇2ϕ=0 in 0⩽r⩽a, with ∂ϕ/∂r=cos(2θ) on r=a
Explain briefly how you know that there are no other solutions.