Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / ib / Paper 2 / 5B / Solution

For an axisymmetric separated solution of the Laplace equation whose angular factor is the Legendre polynomial $P_n(\cos \theta )$, the radial ordinary differential equation has the two powers $r^n$ and $r^{-n-1}$. Thusfor constants $A,B$.

Write $x=\cos \theta$. Since $3\cos (2\theta )=6x^2-3=4P_2(x)-P_0(x)$, only the spherical harmonics of degrees zero and two occur. The degree-zero radial coefficient satisfying its two Dirichlet boundary conditions is $1-2/r$. For degree two, write $C{r}^2+D{r}^{-3}$; thenso $C=-4/31$ and $D=128/31$. By linearity and uniqueness of this boundary value problem,Direct substitution at $r=1,2$ verifies both boundary values.