Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2015 / iii / Paper 57 / 4 / b

The spatial factor $r^l{Y}_l^m$ is a regular solid harmonic. Besides the Laplace equation ${\nabla }^{2}F=0$, homogeneity gives $\mathbf{r}\cdot \nabla F=lF$. The divergence of the fluid displacement isDefine the scalar dilation amplitude $D_r=r{U}^{\prime }+(l+3)U+(l/r)V^{\prime }$; this is the quantity denoted $\Delta$ in the question, not the notation ${\Delta }_L$ for a Lagrangian pressure perturbation. Then mass conservation gives $\hat{\rho }=-\rho D_r$.

The equilibrium pressure gradient and homogeneity identity giveConsequently the adiabatic equation of state yieldsFor the force equations, the product rule givesEquating the coefficients of $F{\mathbf{e}}_r$ and $\nabla F$ in the self-gravitating adiabatic displacement equations givesFinally, applying the Laplacian to the gravitational perturbation givesso the Poisson equation becomesThese are the required interior equations for uniform-density stellar oscillation.

There is a radial degeneracy at $l=0$: $F$ is spatially constant and $\nabla F=0$, so the displacement is independent of $V$. The second force equation then cannot be inferred by equating independent vectors. For nonzero $\omega$ it may be imposed as an auxiliary definition of $V$, but it is not an additional physical radial equation. At zero frequency the radial equations should be used directly. This distinction matters for interpreting the zero factor in (c).