Substitute the Pl(x), you found in Problems 4.3 or 5.3 into equation (10.6)to find Plmthen let x=cosθto evaluate:

P41(cosθ)

Short Answer

Expert verified

The value of P41(cosθ) is found to be 1./2 (sinθ) (35 cos3θ -15 cosθ).

Step by step solution

01

Concept:

An equation similar to Legendre’s equation is-

(1-x2) y"-2xy'+[l(l+1)-m2/1-x2] y=0 (∀ m2≤ l2)

The solution to this equation is of the form

Plm (x)=(1-x2)m/2 dm/dxm (Pl(x))

These solutions are called Associated Legendre Functions.

02

The given information used to evaluate  P41 (cosθ):

It is given that

Plm(x) =(1-x2)m/2 dm/dxm Pl(x) …… (1)

03

Put l=4 and m=1 in equation (1):

Putting l=4 and m=1:

P41(x)=(1-x2)1/2 d1/dx1 P4(x)

P41(x)=(1-x2)1/2 d/dx P4(x)

P41(x)=(1-x2)1/2 d/dx (35x4/8-15x2/4+3/8)

P41(x)= 1/2 (1-x2)1/2 d/dx (35x3-15x) ..... (2)

04

Substitute x=cos x into equation (2):

On substituting x=cosx into equation (2):

P41 (x)=1/2 (1-x2)1/2 (35x3-15x)

P41 (cosθ)=1/2 (1-cos2θ)1/2 (35 cos3-15 cosθ)

P41 (cosθ)=1/2 (sin2θ)1/2 (35 cos3-15 cosθ) P

P41 (cosθ)=1/2 (sinθ) (35 cos3-15 cosθ)

Therefore, the value of P41 (cosθ) is found to be 1/2 (sinθ) (35 cos3θ-15 cosθ).

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