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MAT455 Chapter 3

1. Vector-valued functions can be used to represent curves in two and three dimensions, and describe the motion of objects along those curves. 2. Key concepts include the position, velocity, and acceleration vectors. The velocity vector gives the direction of motion at each point on the curve. 3. Vector fields assign a vector to each point in a region, and can model physical phenomena like fluid flow, gravity, and electric forces. Gradient vectors are important in vector fields.

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51 views21 pages

MAT455 Chapter 3

1. Vector-valued functions can be used to represent curves in two and three dimensions, and describe the motion of objects along those curves. 2. Key concepts include the position, velocity, and acceleration vectors. The velocity vector gives the direction of motion at each point on the curve. 3. Vector fields assign a vector to each point in a region, and can model physical phenomena like fluid flow, gravity, and electric forces. Gradient vectors are important in vector fields.

Uploaded by

Farhan Ikhwan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 3

VECTOR CALCULUS
Vector-valued functions can be used to study curves in the plane and in space. These
functions can also be used to study the motion of an object along a curve.

Definition

A function of the form

𝑟 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑡 𝑖 + 𝑔(𝑡)𝑗 in plane

or

𝑟 𝑡 =𝑓 𝑡 𝑖+ 𝑔 𝑡 𝑗+ 𝑕 𝑡 𝑘 in space

is a vector-valued function, where the component functions f, g and h are real valued
functions of the parameter t. Vector-valued functions are sometimes denoted as

𝑟 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑡 , 𝑔(𝑡) or 𝑟 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑡 , 𝑔 𝑡 , 𝑕 𝑡 .

Example

Sketch the plane curve represented by the vector-valued function

𝑟 𝑡 = 2 cos 𝑡 𝑖 − 3 sin 𝑡 𝑗 , 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π. Vector-valued function

Solution :

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Example

Sketch the space curve represented by the vector-valued function

𝑟 𝑡 = 4 cos 𝑡 𝑖 + 4 sin 𝑡 𝑗 + 𝑡𝑘 , 0 ≤ t ≤ 4π. Vector-valued function

Solution :

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Velocity and Acceleration
Definition

If x and y are twice-differentiable functions of t, and 𝑟 𝑡 is a vector-valued function


given by 𝑟 𝑡 = 𝑥 𝑡 𝑖 + 𝑦(𝑡)𝑗 , then the velocity vector, acceleration vector, and speed
at time t are as follows,

Velocity = v(t) = 𝑟′ 𝑡 = 𝑥′ 𝑡 𝑖 + 𝑦′(𝑡)𝑗

Acceleration = a t = v’ t =𝑟′′ 𝑡 = 𝑥′′ 𝑡 𝑖 + 𝑦′′(𝑡)𝑗

2
Speed = 𝑣(𝑡) = 𝑟′ 𝑡 = 𝑥′ 𝑡 + 𝑦′(𝑡) 2

For motion along a space curve, the definitions are similar. That is, if

𝑟 𝑡 =𝑥 𝑡 𝑖+ 𝑦 𝑡 𝑗+𝑧 𝑡 𝑘

then

Velocity = v(t) = 𝑟 ′ (𝑡) = 𝑥 ′ 𝑡 𝑖 + 𝑦 ′ 𝑡 𝑗 + 𝑧′ 𝑡 𝑘

Acceleration = a(t) =𝑟′′ 𝑡 = 𝑥′′ 𝑡 𝑖 + 𝑦′′(𝑡)𝑗 + 𝑧′′ 𝑡 𝑘

2
Speed = 𝑣(𝑡) = 𝑟′ 𝑡 = 𝑥′ 𝑡 + 𝑦′(𝑡) 2 + 𝑧′(𝑡) 2

Note: Velocity vectors points in the direction of motion

Example

Sketch the path of an object moving along the space curve C given by

𝑟 𝑡 = 𝑡𝑖 + 𝑡 3 𝑗 + 3𝑡𝑘 position vector

and find the velocity and acceleration vectors when t = 1.

Solution :

Note: to find the position vector for a given velocity or acceleration, integration is required.

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VECTOR FIELDS

Definition
A vector field over a plane region R is a function F that assigns a vector 𝐹 (x , y) to each
point in R.
A vector field over a solid region Q in space is a function F that assigns a vector
𝐹 (x , y , z) to each point in Q.

Note: Although a vector field consists of infinitely many vectors, you can get a good idea of what the vector field looks like by
sketching several representative vectors 𝐹 (x , y) whose initial points are (x, y). Some physical examples of vector fields are velocity
fields, gravitational fields, and electric force fields.

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Tangent Planes and Normal Lines

The gradient at P is orthogonal to the tangent


vector of every curve on S through P. All
tangent lines on S lie in a plane that is normal
to ∇ F x0 , y0 , z0) and contains P.

Note: ∇ F x , y , z is called the gradient vector

Definition

If F is a function of two variables x and y, then the gradient of F is the vector function ∇ F
defined by
𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹
∇ F x , y = Fx x , y , Fy x , y = 𝜕𝑥 𝑖 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑗

Note: ∇ F x , y , z = Fx x , y , z , Fy x , y, z , Fz x , y, z

Definition

Let F be differentiable at the point P (x0 , y0 , z0) on the surface S given by F(x , y , z) = 0
such that ∇ F x0 , y0 , z0 ≠ 0.

1. The plane through P that is normal to ∇ F x0 , y0 , z0) is called the tangent plane to
S at P.
2. The line through P having the direction of ∇ F x0 , y0 , z0) is called the normal line
to S at P.

To find an equation for the tangent plane to S at (x0 , y0 , z0), let (x , y , z) be an arbitrary
point in the tangent plane. Then the vector

𝑣 = 𝑥 − 𝑥0 𝑖 + 𝑦 − 𝑦0 𝑗 + (𝑧 − 𝑧0 )𝑘

lies in the tangent plane. Because ∇ F x0 , y0 , z0) is normal to the tangent plane at

(x0 , y0 , z0), it must be orthogonal to every vector in the tangent plane. Hence,

∇ F x0 , y0 , z0)∙ 𝑣 = 0

Theorem
If F is differentiable at (x0 , y0 , z0), then an equation of the tangent plane to the surface
given by F(x , y , z) = 0 at (x0 , y0 , z0) is
Fx (x0 , y0 , z0)(x – x0) + Fy (x0 , y0 , z0)(y – y0) + Fz (x0 , y0 , z0)(z – z0) = 0

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