

Steps to find R or aR :

1. Find the source position vector s : vector from origin to source point or source differential
element (which is like a point).
- Sketch a geometry and select a ‘general’ point or differential element
- Write down the coordinates of the point in terms of (just) sufficient variables and convert

the coordinates to s
   
Note: For Cartesian coordinates ( x, y, z ) , s = xax + ya y + zaz ;

But for cylindrical coordinates (r , φ , z ) , s = ?

- Ask how many variables are in s (1D line 1 variable, 2D surface 2 variables, 3D volume
3 variables, 0D point 0 variable)
 
Think: How many variables can you see for s = rar ?
- If there are too few variables, the point selected is not general enough. If there are too many
variables, the extra variables need to be substituted.

2. Find the field position vector f : vector from origin to field point
- Select a ‘general’ point
- Write down the coordinates of the point in terms of (just) sufficient variables and convert

the coordinates to f

- Ask how many variables are in f (1D line 1 variable, 2D surface 2 variables, 3D volume
3 variables, 0D point 0 variable)
- If there are too few variables, the point selected is not general enough. If there are too many
variables, the extra variables need to be substituted.
  
3. Find R = f − s : distance vector from source point to field point

4. Find R = R : distance (scalar) from source point to field point
    
If R = Rx ax + Ry a y + Rz az , then R = Rx + R y + Rz
2 2 2

    
If R = R a
r r + R a
φ φ + R a
z z , then R =
      
If R = Rx ax + Ry a y + Rr ar + Rφ aφ + Rz az , then R = 


 R
5. Find aR = if needed
R