Vector Calculus

Vector Calculus

Gradient of a scalar field

Divergence of a vector field
Curl of a vector field
Stokes’s theorem
Laplacian operator

2
 Important Themes

 Gradient: measures the rate and direction of change in

a scalar field; the gradient of a scalar field is a vector
field.
 Curl: measures a vector field's tendency to rotate
about a point; the curl of a vector field is another
vector field.
 Divergence: measures a vector field's tendency to
originate from or converge upon a given point.
3
Important operation in Vector Calculus

4
Tables - Cartesian

5
Tables - Cylindrical

6
Tables - Spherical

7
 Gradient
 The gradient of a scalar filed is a vector field which points in the direction
of the greatest rate of change of the scalar field, and whose magnitude is
the greatest rate of change.
 The gradient of a scalar function f is denoted by: f

In the above two images, the scalar field is in black and white, black
representing higher values, and its corresponding gradient is represented
by blue arrows. 8
 Module 3.1
The power density radiated by a star decreased radially as
P(R)=P0/R2 . Where R is the distance from the star. Recalling that
the gradient function denotes the maximum rate of change of
that quantity per unit distance and the direction of the gradient
is along the direction of maximum increase, which of the four
graphical presentations correctly depicts P?

9
Module 3.1

10
Module 3.1

The answer is: d

11
Divergence

12
 Divergence

The divergence is positive The divergence is negative. 13

Example
If F(x, y, z) = xz i + xyz j + y2 k, find div F.

Solution:
 div F =   F

 = z + xz
 Module 3.6
The graphical presentation depicts the vector field .
A = − xˆ xy + yˆ y 2

Based on the definition of the divergence, is the field displayed

divergence-less everywhere?

15
Module 3.6

16
 Circulation
 The circulation of a vector field B
around a closed contour C is defined
as the line integral of B around C

Circulation =  C
B dl

 Circulation of a uniform field is

equal to zero [figure (a)]

17
Example
 If F(x, y, z) = xz i + xyz j – y2 k, find curl F.

 Solution:
Example
Stoke’s theorem
 Example 3-4
A vector field is given by B = zˆ cosΦ / r
. Verify Stokes’s theorem for a
segment of a cylindrical surface
defined by r=2,
    ,
and   z .

21
 Example 3-4 B = zˆ cosΦ / r
Stokes’s theorem states that
s ( B).ds = c B.d l
Left-hand side:

22
Example 3-4
The integral over the surface s is

B = zˆ cosΦ / r

The right-hand side:

23
 Differential operator “del”
Del differentiates each component of a vector.
   
 = x + yˆ + zˆ
x y y
Gradient of a scalar function = slope in each direction
 f f f
 f = x + yˆ + zˆ
x y y
Divergence of vector = dot product = what flows out
 Vx V y Vz
V = x + yˆ + zˆ
x y y
Curl of vector = cross product = circulation
x y z

V =    = x( − ) − yˆ ( − ) + zˆ( − )
x y z
Vx Vy Vz