Matrix of moments of the Legendre polynomials and its application to problems of electrostatics

Abstract

In this work, properties of the matrix of moments of the Legendre polynomials are presented and proven. In particular, the explicit form of the elements of the matrix inverse to the matrix of moments is found and theorems of the linear combination and orthogonality are proven. On the basis of these properties, the total charge and the dipole moment of a conducting ball in a nonuniform electric field, the charge distribution over the surface of the conducting ball, its multipole moments, and the force acting on a conducting ball situated on the axis of a nonuniform axisymmetric electric field are determined. All assertions are formulated in theorems, the proofs of which are based on the properties of the matrix of moments of the Legendre polynomials.