separation constant
noun1
Calculus, Mathematics, Sciences a constant that may be introduced upon separation of variables
- The partial differential equation a sin ²(θ)Φ(ϕ)+Φ(ϕ) cos (θ)(∂Θ(θ))/(∂θ)+(∂²Φ)/(∂ϕ²)=0 can be rewritten a sin ²(θ)+ cos (θ)(∂Θ(θ))/(∂θ)=-1/(Φ(ϕ))(∂²Φ)/(∂ϕ²)≡K, where K is a separation constant that depends on neither θ nor ϕ. This then yields two ordinary differential equations.