Student handout: Spherical Harmonics on a Balloon

Central Forces 2023

Spherical harmonics are continuous functions on the surface of a sphere.

The \(\ell\) and \(m\) values tell us how the function oscillates across the surface.

Spherical harmonics are complex valued functions.

What students learn

Spherical harmonics are continuous functions on the surface of a sphere.

The \(\ell\) and \(m\) values tell us how the function oscillates across the surface.

Spherical harmonics are complex valued functions.

Each small group is assigned a spherical harmonic from the list below:

  1. \(Y_1^1\)
  2. \(Y_1^0\)
  3. \(Y_1^{-1}\)
  4. \(Y_2^1\)
  5. \(Y_2^0\)
  6. \(Y_2^{-1}\)

Using a tiny Argand diagram, represent the value of the spherical harmonic at:

  • at the equator (\(\theta = \pi/2\)) for \(\phi = 0, \tfrac{\pi}{4}, \tfrac{\pi}{2}, \tfrac{3\pi}{4}, \pi, \tfrac{5\pi}{4}, \tfrac{3\pi}{2}, \tfrac{7\pi}{4}\)
  • repeat for \(\theta = \tfrac{\pi}{6}, \tfrac{\pi}{3}, \tfrac{2\pi}{3}, \tfrac{5\pi}{6}\)

Tip: Make reference marks in black and draw the complex value of the spherical harmonic in a different color.


Keywords
Spherical Harmonics Kinesthetic Balloon Complex Numbers
Learning Outcomes