Show that grad(v * A) - (v * grad)A = v xx (grad xx A) All of the variables are vectors. It is based on the lagrangian of a electromagnetic field, where v is the velocity and A the cross potential.

Widersinnby7

Widersinnby7

Answered question

2022-11-14

Show that ( v A ) ( v ) A = v × ( × A )
All of the variables are vectors. It is based on the lagrangian of a electromagnetic field, where v is the velocity and A the cross potential.
I've tried to prove it by using their modulus, sines and cosines but I don't think that's the way to prove it.
Could you give me any hint?

Answer & Explanation

Cseszteq5j

Cseszteq5j

Beginner2022-11-15Added 17 answers

Let's use the summation convention. Let v = v i e i , A = A i e i . We have, on the right side
× A = e i ϵ i j k j A k
v × ( × A ) = e i ϵ i j k v j ( × A ) k = e i ϵ i j k v j ϵ k m n m A n
Using the property ϵ i j k ϵ k m n = δ i m δ j n δ i n δ j m we get
v × ( × A ) = ( δ i m δ j n δ i n δ j m ) e i v j m A n = e i ( v j i A j v j j A i )
It is generally NOT equal the left side, which is
( v A ) ( v ) A = e i i ( v j A j ) ( v j j ) ( e i A i ) = e i ( i ( v j A j ) v j j A i )
As we can see, the equality occurs only when
v j i A j = i ( v j A j )
that is when
( i v j ) A j = 0

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