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With $\psi =0$, the angular momentum becomes $\mathbf{L}=m\mathbf{r}\times \dot{\mathbf{r}}$ and is constant. The identity $\mathbf{L}\cdot \mathbf{r}=0$ confines the trajectory to the plane through the origin perpendicular to $\mathbf{L}$ when $\mathbf{L}\ne 0$. If $\mathbf{L}=0$, the velocity is radial and a central force preserves the radial line; this degenerate motion is also planar.

For the proposed Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector convention, differentiate $\mathbf{K}=\mathbf{L}\times \dot{\mathbf{r}}-\varphi (r)\mathbf{r}$. Since $\ddot{\mathbf{r}}=-{\varphi }^{\prime }(r)\hat{\mathbf{r}}/m$ and $\mathbf{L}$ is constant, the vector triple product givesThereforeIt vanishes for general motion precisely when $(r\varphi {)}^{\prime }=0$, givingThis is an inverse-square potential, attractive when $C<0$ and repulsive when $C>0$; $C=0$ is the free-particle case. An additive constant in $\varphi$ leaves the force unchanged but would change this particular $\mathbf{K}$ by a constant multiple of $\mathbf{r}$, so its definition requires the displayed choice of energy zero.

The first coordinate of the vector triple product isThe other two coordinates follow by cyclically permuting the indices, proving the identity.

A point on the line has the form $r=b+sm$. Substituting in the plane equation gives $s(m\cdot n)=(a-b)\cdot n$. When $m\cdot n\ne 0$ the parameter, and therefore the intersection point, is unique. The vector triple product gives $n\times (b\times m)=(n\cdot m)b-(n\cdot b)m$, so the unique intersection isFor the parallel case $m\cdot n=0$, the line is entirely in the plane if $(b-a)\cdot n=0$, and otherwise has no intersection. As usual, a genuine line and plane require nonzero direction and normal vectors. This is the line-plane intersection criterion.

Every traceless skew-Hermitian matrix of size two has the formso it equals $\mathcal{M}(c)$ for $c=(2p,2\mathrm{Re}w,2\mathrm{Im}w)$. If $c=0$, take $A=B=0$. Otherwise choose a unit vector $u$ perpendicular to $c$ and set $a=u$, $b=c\times u$. The vector triple product gives $a\times b=c$.

By part (iii), choosing $A=\mathcal{M}(a)$ and $B=\mathcal{M}(b)$ gives the required representationIn fact both factors can themselves be chosen as traceless skew-Hermitian matrices. The cross-product model of su(2) explains this geometric commutator construction.

Use the Einstein summation convention, with divergence ${\partial }_i{F}_i$ and curl $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}{)}_i={ϵ}_{ijk}{\partial }_j{F}_k$, where ${ϵ}_{ijk}$ is the Levi-Civita symbol. For the first vector field,The derivative matrix is symmetric, so its contraction with the Levi-Civita symbol vanishes. For the second vector field,For the third vector field, $H_i={ϵ}_{ikl}{a}_k{x}_l/r$. Its divergence is zero because the Levi-Civita symbol contracts with symmetric products. For its curl, either contract two Levi-Civita symbols or use the vector triple product:ThusAll formulas hold on $r>0$, the domain where the radial unit vector is defined.

Differentiate the unit tangent vector with $d/ds=v^{-1}d/du$ and $v^{\prime }=({\mathbf{x}}^{\prime }\cdot {\mathbf{x}}^{\prime \prime })/v$. This givesThe curvature of a space curve is $\kappa =|d\mathbf{t}/ds|$. Squaring the displayed expression and simplifying givesThe last equality is the cross product norm identity. Equivalently, the hinted vector triple product rewrites $d\mathbf{t}/ds=-{\mathbf{x}}^{\prime }\times ({\mathbf{x}}^{\prime }\times {\mathbf{x}}^{\prime \prime })/v^4$.

Since $\mathbf{E}\cdot {\mathbf{e}}_z=0$, the vector triple product yields $\mathbf{E}\times ({\mathbf{e}}_z\times \mathbf{E})=|\mathbf{E}{|}^2{\mathbf{e}}_z$. Consequently the Poynting vector isIts average over a full period uses $⟨{\cos }^2⟩=1/2$:This is the mean electromagnetic energy flux per unit area. For positive frequency it points in the propagation direction and has magnitude $E_0^2/(2{\mu }_{0}c)={ϵ}_{0}c{E}_0^2/2$.

Write $D/Dt={\partial }_t+\mathbf{u}\cdot \nabla$ for the material derivative and $q=\mathbf{u}\cdot \mathbf{B}$ for the cross-helicity density, so $H_c={\int }_{V}qdV$. The ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation of ideal magnetohydrodynamics, with $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B}=0$, givesThe dot product of the Euler momentum equation with the magnetic field has no Lorentz force contribution, because $\mathbf{B}\cdot [(\nabla \times \mathbf{B})\times \mathbf{B}]=0$. Consequently,Here $h=e+p/\rho$ is the specific enthalpy, $T$ the temperature, and $s$ the specific entropy; $e$ is the internal energy per unit mass. The first law of thermodynamics in this convention is $de=Tds-pd(1/\rho )$, so $dh=Tds+dp/\rho$. Substitution, followed by $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B}=0$, yields the cross-helicity conservation lawThe vector triple product identity $\mathbf{u}\times (\mathbf{u}\times \mathbf{B})=\mathbf{u}q-u^2\mathbf{B}$ puts this in the equivalent form

For the fixed volume, the divergence theorem gives the exact cross-helicity balanceThus cross-helicity is constant when the net source equals the outward flux. Simple sufficient hypotheses are $\mathbf{B}\cdot \nabla s=0$ throughout the volume and $\mathbf{u}\cdot \mathbf{n}=\mathbf{B}\cdot \mathbf{n}=0$ on its boundary. The first condition includes a homentropic flow; the second prevents both relevant boundary fluxes. Periodic boundary conditions, or sufficiently rapid decay at infinity, provide alternatives. These statements concern smooth ideal magnetohydrodynamics: material specific entropy conservation alone, $Ds/Dt=0$, does not eliminate spatial specific entropy gradients along the magnetic field lines.

The vector triple product identity givesApplying the same identity after reversing the outer cross product givesThe formulas differ because the cross product is not associative.

Let a change of orthonormal coordinates be represented by a rotation matrix $R$. Since both angular momentum and angular velocity are vectors,Using $L_i=I_{ij}{\omega }_j$ in both frames givesfor every vector $\mathbf{\omega }$. Multiplication by $R^{-1}=R^T$ yieldswhich is exactly the transformation law for a rank-two tensor. Thus $I_{ij}$ is a rank-two tensor.

Put $\mathbf{r}=\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{a}$. The vector triple product givesThereforeAt the centre of mass,Expanding the first formula, the terms linear in $x_i$ vanish because the centre of mass is the origin, while $\rho {\int }_{B}dV=M$. Hence the parallel axis theorem in tensor form is

Because $\tilde{\mathbf{n}}\cdot (\tilde{\mathbf{n}}\times {\partial }_t\tilde{\mathbf{n}})=0$, the component of $\mathbf{q}$ parallel to $\tilde{\mathbf{n}}$ is $-\mathbf{B}\cdot \tilde{\mathbf{n}}$. The Gaussian integral over $\lambda$ removes precisely this longitudinal component. ThusUsing the vector triple-product identity and $|\tilde{\mathbf{n}}|=1$, this becomes the $O(3)$ nonlinear sigma model in a background field:The magnetic field acts as the temporal component of an $O(3)$ background gauge connection.

Suppose ${\epsilon }_{ij}{e}_j={\epsilon }_e{e}_i$. Taking the scalar product of the equation in part (d) with $\mathbf{k}$ gives $\mathbf{k}\cdot \mathbf{e}=0$. The vector triple product then reduces the equation toso $k^2={\omega }^2\mu {\epsilon }_e$. From part (d),ConsequentlyThus the instantaneous flux, except at its zeros, and its time average both point in the wave-propagation direction $\mathbf{k}$.

In components, part (i) givesTherefore the vector triple product is

PutSince $x,y,z$ are unit vectors,The feasible inner products with two unit vectors satisfyThe desired pair $p=q=1/2$ is feasible exactly when $c\ge -1/2$. In that case every maximizer has these inner products. If $c<-1/2$, symmetry and strict convexity force $p=q$, and the nearest feasible diagonal point isUsing the vector triple product,Hence

Rotations preserve dot products and cross-product lengths, while $z^{\prime }=2z$. ThusLetThe target pair is feasible precisely whenorOn this interval,

Outside this interval, let $\lambda >0$ be the unique number for whichand write $r=(p,q{)}^T$. These equations give the unique weighted projection of $t$ onto the feasible ellipse, and therefore determine the maximizing inner products solely from $c=y\cdot z$. In the remaining cases,Neither answer depends on ${\theta }_1$ or ${\theta }_2$.

LetThe vector triple product identity $(\mathbf{a}\wedge \mathbf{b})\wedge \mathbf{a}=|\mathbf{a}{|}^2\mathbf{b}-(\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{b})\mathbf{a}$ shows that ${\mathbf{r}}_0\wedge \mathbf{a}=\mathbf{b}$. Moreover, $(\mathbf{r}-{\mathbf{r}}_0)\wedge \mathbf{a}=0$ exactly when $\mathbf{r}-{\mathbf{r}}_0$ is a scalar multiple of $\mathbf{a}$. Thus the given line isAlso $\mathbf{a}\wedge {\mathbf{r}}_0=-\mathbf{b}$, so $\mathbf{N}=\mathbf{a}\wedge (\mathbf{y}-{\mathbf{r}}_0)$. The assumption $\mathbf{N}\ne 0$ says precisely that $\mathbf{y}$ is outside $L$. Consequently $L$ and $\mathbf{y}$ determine a unique plane, with normal vector $\mathbf{N}$.

To identify its equation, use cyclic invariance of the scalar triple product:For $\mathbf{r}\in L$, this equals $\mathbf{y}\cdot \mathbf{b}$, while $\mathbf{r}\cdot \mathbf{b}=\mathbf{r}\cdot (\mathbf{r}\wedge \mathbf{a})=0$. Hence $\mathbf{r}\cdot \mathbf{N}=\mathbf{y}\cdot \mathbf{b}$ throughout $L$. The point $\mathbf{y}$ also satisfies that equation because $\mathbf{y}\cdot (\mathbf{a}\wedge \mathbf{y})=0$. Since $\mathbf{N}\ne 0$, the required plane is therefore exactlyThis also proves the reusable plane through a point and a line given by a cross product construction.

Define the classical axial spin by the axial angular velocity of a symmetric top,Since $\mathbf{e}$ is a unit vector, $\mathbf{e}\cdot \dot{\mathbf{e}}=0$. The vector triple product identity applied to $\dot{\mathbf{e}}=\mathbf{\omega }\wedge \mathbf{e}$ givesThe inertia tensor multiplies the component perpendicular to $\mathbf{e}$ by $A$ and the component along $\mathbf{e}$ by $C$. Therefore the angular momentum about $Q$ isIts time derivative isbecause $\dot{\mathbf{e}}\wedge \dot{\mathbf{e}}=0$.

The gravitational torque about $Q$ is $h\mathbf{e}\wedge (-mg\mathbf{k})$, and the applied torque is $\ell \mathbf{e}\wedge (\kappa \mathbf{s})$. The support force acts at $Q$, so has zero torque about $Q$. The angular momentum equation is consequently

Expand the vector triple product in Cartesian components. Its first component iswhere adding $a_x{b}_x{c}_x$ to both products introduces cancelling terms. Likewise the other two components areTogether these proveNow use the cyclic property of the scalar triple product and the just-proved identity:This proves Lagrange's identity in the requested form,

Write $s=\hat{\mathbf{n}}\cdot \mathbf{x}$. Taking the dot product of the equation with the unit vector $\hat{\mathbf{n}}$ gives $2s+s^2=-1$, so $(s+1{)}^2=0$ and $s=-1$.

Now take the cross product with $\hat{\mathbf{n}}$. The vector triple product gives $\hat{\mathbf{n}}\times (\hat{\mathbf{n}}\times \mathbf{x})=s\hat{\mathbf{n}}-\mathbf{x}=-\hat{\mathbf{n}}-\mathbf{x}$, soThe original equation, now with $s^2=1$, also gives $\hat{\mathbf{n}}\times \mathbf{x}=\mathbf{b}-\hat{\mathbf{n}}-2\mathbf{x}$. Substitution eliminates the remaining cross product of the unknown and yieldsIts dot product with $\hat{\mathbf{n}}$ is $-1$, and direct substitution using the vector triple product verifies the original equation. The elimination gives a unique solution without choosing components. It is also an application of the inverse of a scalar plus a cross-product operator after the scalar component has been fixed.

The vector triple product rewrites the field as $\mathbf{b}(\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{r})-\mathbf{r}(\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{b})$. Its first term has divergence $\mathbf{b}\cdot \nabla (\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{r})=\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{b}$, while the second contributes $3\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{b}$. Therefore

In orthonormal Cartesian coordinates, a rank-$n$ tensor has components transforming under a change of axes $R$ asRepeated indices are summed. This is the tensor component transformation law; for rank one it is precisely the transformation law of a vector.

Use the vector triple product to write the double cross product asBoth dot products are invariant under an orthogonal change of axes, while $u^{\prime }=Ru$ and ${\Omega }^{\prime }=R\Omega$. ThereforeHence $W$ is a vector. This argument also avoids the sign issue for an individual cross product under an orientation-reversing orthogonal transformation: the double product has two such factors, whose signs cancel.

Use the vector triple product expression from part (a). Put $s=\Omega \cdot x$ and $r^2=x\cdot x$. Since $u=\Omega +\beta x$,Expanding $W=(u\cdot u)\Omega -(u\cdot \Omega )u$ and canceling the zeroth-order terms givesThe first bracket is odd in $x$ and integrates to zero over the centred ball. With $\alpha =4\pi a^5/15$, the Cartesian moments of a three-dimensional ball giveThereforeThe resulting vector is parallel to $\Omega$, as the rotational symmetry of the centred domain requires.