Nodal Sets

where a vibrating body stays still Language
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Grains
SGR 1806−20

What you are seeing

The square plate

u(x,y) = cos(nπx)·cos(mπy) − cos(mπx)·cos(nπy)
Theorem

Proof

The circular plate, and Saturn

u(r,θ) = Jkk,s·r) · cos(kθ)

Theorem

Proof

/-- Standing wave pattern of Saturn's polar hexagon.
    f(theta) = cos(6 * theta).
    Nodal lines {f = 0} form the six sides of the hexagon. -/
noncomputable def chladni6 (theta : ℝ) : ℝ :=
  cos (6 * theta)

/-- Invariant under rotation by π/3: six-fold symmetry. -/
theorem chladni6_sixfold_sym (theta : ℝ) :
    chladni6 (theta + π / 3) = chladni6 theta := by
  unfold chladni6
  have h : 6 * (theta + π / 3) = 6 * theta + 2 * π := by ring
  rw [h, cos_add_two_pi]

/-- Each nodal angle is a zero of chladni6. -/
theorem hexagon_nodes_are_zeros (i : Fin 6) :
    chladni6 (hexagon_nodal_angles i) = 0 := by
  unfold chladni6 hexagon_nodal_angles
  push_cast
  have h : 6 * ((i.val : ℝ) * (π / 6) + π / 12)
           = i.val * π + π / 2 := by ring
  rw [h, cos_add, cos_pi_div_two, sin_pi_div_two]
  simp [sin_int_mul_pi]

The globe

Ylm(θ,φ) = Plm(cos θ) · cos(mφ) | sin(mφ)
Theorem

Proof

The hypersphere

Φ = cosp(η) · sinq(η) · cos(p·ξ₁ + q·ξ₂)

Theorem

Proof

Sonic Starquakes — the missing math

ω ∝ √((ℓ−1)(ℓ+2))
ObservedModePredictedError
18 Hzℓ = 218.0 Hzanchor
30 Hzℓ = 328.5 Hz5.1 %
93 Hzℓ = 1093.5 Hz0.6 %
150 Hzℓ = 16147.9 Hz1.4 %

What is and is not settled

Is the mathematics proved?

StatementStatus
Plate gradient, analytic against numerical9 × 10⁻¹⁰
Φ harmonic in ℝ⁴, five (p,q) pairs4 × 10⁻⁷
Hopf form against polynomial form6 × 10⁻¹⁶
Spherical harmonic eigenvalue −l(l+1)5 × 10⁻⁷
Six-fold symmetry, hexagon nodes are zerosLean ✓

One honest caveat

How the grains move

Why several patterns share one pitch

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