Problem 3.

36 Find the gradient of the following scalar functions:

(a) T = 3/(x2 + z2 ),
(b) V = xy2 z4 ,
(c) U = z cos φ /(1 + r2 ),
(d) W = e−R sin θ ,
(e) S = 4x2 e−z + y3 ,
(f) N = r2 cos2 φ ,
(g) M = R cos θ sin φ .
Solution:
(a) From Eq. (3.72),
6x 6z
∇T = −x̂ − ẑ .
(x2 + z2 )2 (x2 + z2 )2
(b) From Eq. (3.72),
∇V = x̂y2 z4 + ŷ2xyz4 + ẑ4xy2 z3 .
(c) From Eq. (3.82),
2rz cos φ z sin φ cos φ
∇U = −r̂ − φ̂φ + ẑ .
(1 + r2 )2 2
r(1 + r ) 1 + r2
(d) From Eq. (3.83),
∇W = −R̂e−R sin θ + θ̂θ(e−R /R) cos θ .
(e) From Eq. (3.72),
S = 4x2 e−z + y3 ,
∂S ∂S ∂S
∇S = x̂ + ŷ + ẑ = x̂8xe−z + ŷ3y2 − ẑ4x2 e−z .
∂x ∂y ∂z
(f) From Eq. (3.82),
N = r2 cos2 φ ,
∂N 1 ∂N ∂N
∇N = r̂ + φ̂φ + ẑ = r̂2r cos2 φ − φ̂φ2r sin φ cos φ .
∂r r ∂φ ∂z
(g) From Eq. (3.83),
M = R cos θ sin φ ,
∂M 1 ∂M 1 ∂M cos φ
∇M = R̂ + θ̂θ + φ̂φ = R̂ cos θ sin φ − θ̂θ sin θ sin φ + φ̂φ .
∂R R ∂θ R sin θ ∂ φ tan θ
Problem 3.40 For the scalar function V = xy2 − z2 , determine its directional
derivative along the direction of vector A = (x̂ − ŷz) and then evaluate it at
P = (1, −1, 4).
Solution: The directional derivative is given by Eq. (3.75) as dV /dl = ∇V · âl , where
the unit vector in the direction of A is given by Eq. (3.2):

x̂ − ŷz
âl = √ ,
1 + z2
and the gradient of V in Cartesian coordinates is given by Eq. (3.72):

∇V = x̂y2 + ŷ2xy − ẑ2z.

Therefore, by Eq. (3.75),

dV y2 − 2xyz
= √ .
dl 1 + z2
At P = (1, −1, 4), µ ¶¯
dV ¯¯ 9
= √ = 2.18 .
dl (1,−1,4)
¯ 17
Problem 3.41 Evaluate the line integral of E = x̂ x − ŷ y along the segment P1 to P2
of the circular path shown in the figure.
y

P1 = (0, 3)

x
P2 = (−3, 0)

Solution: We need to calculate: Z P2

E · dℓℓ.
P1

Since the path is along the perimeter of a circle, it is best to use cylindrical
coordinates, which requires expressing both E and dℓℓ in cylindrical coordinates.
Using Table 3-2,

E = x̂ x − ŷ y = (r̂ cos φ − φ̂φ sin φ )r cos φ − (r̂ sin φ + φ̂φ cos φ )r sin φ
= r̂ r(cos2 φ − sin2 φ ) − φ̂φ2r sin φ cos φ

The designated path is along the φ -direction at a constant r = 3. From Table 3-1, the
applicable component of dℓℓ is:
dℓℓ = φ̂φ r d φ .
Hence,
Z P2 Z φ =180◦ h i ¯
E · dℓℓ = r̂ r(cos2 φ − sin2 φ ) − φ̂φ 2r sin φ cos φ · φ̂φ r d φ ¯
¯
P1 φ =90◦ r=3
Z 180◦
−2r2 sin φ cos φ d φ ¯r=3
¯
=
90◦
¯ ◦ ¯
2 ¯180 ¯
2 sin φ ¯
= −2r = 9.
¯
¯
2 ¯φ =90◦ ¯
r=3
Problem 3.46 For the vector field E = x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy, verify the divergence
theorem by computing:
(a) the total outward flux flowing through the surface of a cube centered at the
origin and with sides equal to 2 units each and parallel to the Cartesian axes,
and
(b) the integral of ∇ · E over the cube’s volume.
Solution:
(a) For a cube, the closed surface integral has 6 sides:
Z
n
E · ds = Ftop + Fbottom + Fright + Fleft + Ffront + Fback ,
Z 1 Z 1
x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy ¯z=1 · (ẑ dy dx)
¡ ¢¯
Ftop =
x=−1 y=−1
õ ¶¯1 !¯1
x2 y2 ¯¯
Z 1 Z 1 ¯
=− xy dy dx = = 0,
¯
¯
x=−1 y=−1 4 ¯
y=−1 ¯ x=−1
Z 1 Z 1
x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy ¯z=−1 · (−ẑ dy dx)
¡ ¢¯
Fbottom =
x=−1 y=−1
õ ¶¯1 !¯1
x2 y2 ¯¯
Z 1 Z 1 ¯
= xy dy dx = = 0,
¯
¯
x=−1 y=−1 4 ¯y=−1 ¯
x=−1
Z 1 Z 1
x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy ¯y=1 · (ŷ dz dx)
¡ ¢¯
Fright =
x=−1 z=−1
à µ ¶¯1 !¯1
xz3 ¯¯
Z 1 Z 1
2
¯ −4
=− z dz dx = − = ,
¯
¯
x=−1 z=−1 3 ¯
z=−1 ¯ 3
x=−1
Z 1 Z 1
x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy ¯
¡ ¢¯
Fleft = · (−ŷ dz dx) y=−1
x=−1 z=−1
à µ ¶¯1 !¯1
xz3 ¯¯
Z 1 Z 1 ¯ −4
=− z2 dz dx = − = ,
¯
¯
x=−1 z=−1 3 ¯
z=−1 ¯ 3
x=−1
Z 1 Z 1
x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy ¯x=1 · (x̂ dz dy)
¡ ¢¯
Ffront =
y=−1 z=−1
õ ¶¯1 !¯¯1
yz2 ¯¯
Z 1 Z 1
= z dz dy = = 0,
¯
¯
y=−1 z=−1 2 ¯z=−1 ¯
y=−1
 Z 1 Z 1
x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy ¯x=−1 · (−x̂ dz dy)
¡ ¢¯
Fback =
y=−1 z=−1
õ ¶¯1 !¯¯1
yz2 ¯¯
Z 1 Z 1
= z dz dy = = 0,
¯
¯
y=−1 z=−1 2 ¯
z=−1 ¯ y=−1
−4 −4 −8
Z
n
E · ds = 0 + 0 + + +0+0 = .
3 3 3
(b)
ZZZ Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
∇·E dv = ∇·(x̂xz − ŷyz2 − ẑxy) dz dy dx
x=−1 y=−1 z=−1
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
= (z − z2 ) dz dy dx
x=−1 y=−1 z=−1
Ã ¯1
µ µ 2 ¶¶¯1 !¯¯1
z3
¯
z ¯ ¯ −8
= xy − = .
¯ ¯ ¯
¯
2 3 ¯
z=−1 ¯
¯ 3
y=−1 ¯ x=−1
Problem 3.52 Verify Stokes’s theorem for the vector field B = (r̂r cos φ + φ̂φ sin φ )
by evaluating:
Z
(a) n
B · dl over the semicircular contour shown in Fig. P3.52(a), and
ZC
(b) × B) · ds over the surface of the semicircle.
(∇×
S

y y
2 L2 2
L3 L2
1
L4 L1
x 0 x
-2 L3 0 L1 2 1 2
(a) (b)

Figure P3.52: Contour paths for (a) Problem 3.52 and

(b) Problem 3.53.

Solution:
(a)
Z Z Z Z
n
B · dl = B · dl + B · dl + B · dl,
L1 L2 L3
B · dl = (r̂r cos φ + φ̂φ sin φ ) · (r̂ dr + φ̂φr d φ + ẑ dz) = r cos φ dr + r sin φ d φ ,
Z µZ 2 ¶¯ µZ 0 ¶¯
r cos φ dr ¯¯ r sin φ d φ ¯¯
¯ ¯
B · dl = +
L1 r=0 φ =0, z=0 φ =0 z=0
¡ 1 2 ¢¯2
= 2 r ¯r=0 + 0 = 2,
Z µZ 2 ¶¯ µZ π ¶¯
r cos φ dr ¯¯ + r sin φ d φ ¯¯
¯ ¯
B · dl =
L 2 r=2 z=0 φ =0 r=2, z=0
π
= 0+ (−2 cos φ )|φ =0 = 4,
0 π
Z µZ ¶¯ µZ ¶¯
r cos φ dr ¯¯ r sin φ d φ ¯¯
¯ ¯
B · dl = +
L3 r=2 φ =π ,z=0 φ =π z=0
¢¯0
= − 21 r2 ¯r=2 + 0 = 2,
¡
Z
n
B · dl = 2 + 4 + 2 = 8.
 (b)

∇×B = ∇×(r̂r cos φ + φ̂φ sin φ )

1 ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
µ ¶ µ ¶
= r̂ 0 − (sin φ ) + φ̂φ (r cos φ ) − 0
r ∂φ ∂z ∂z ∂r
1 ∂ ∂
µ ¶
+ ẑ (r(sin φ )) − (r cos φ )
r ∂r ∂φ
µ ¶
1 1
= r̂0 + φ̂φ0 + ẑ (sin φ + (r sin φ )) = ẑ sin φ 1 + ,
r r
Z π Z 2 µ µ ¶¶
1
ZZ
∇×B · ds = ẑ sin φ 1 + · (ẑr dr d φ )
φ =0 r=0 r
Z π Z 2 ³¡ ¢¯2 ´¯¯π
= sin φ (r + 1) dr d φ = − cos φ ( 12 r2 + r) ¯r=0 ¯ = 8.
φ =0 r=0 φ =0
Problem 3.56 Determine if each of the following vector fields is solenoidal,
conservative, or both:
(a) A = x̂x2 − ŷy2xy,
(b) B = x̂x2 − ŷy2 + ẑ2z,
(c) C = r̂(sin φ )/r2 + φ̂φ(cos φ )/r2 ,
(d) D = R̂¡/R,
r
¢
(e) E = r̂ 3 − 1+r + ẑz,
(f) F = (x̂y + ŷx)/(x2 + y2 ) ,
(g) G = x̂(x2 + z2 ) − ŷ(y2 + x2 ) − ẑ(y2 + z2 ),
(h) H = R̂(Re−R ).
Solution:
(a)
∂ 2 ∂
∇·A = ∇·(x̂x2 − ŷ2xy) = x − 2xy = 2x − 2x = 0,
∂x ∂y
∇×A = ∇×(x̂x2 − ŷ2xy)
∂ ∂ ∂ 2 ∂ ∂ ∂ 2
µ ¶ µ ¶ µ ¶
= x̂ 0 − (−2xy) + ŷ (x ) − 0 + ẑ (−2xy) − (x )
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y
= x̂0 + ŷ0 − ẑ(2y) 6= 0 .
The field A is solenoidal but not conservative.
(b)
∂ 2 ∂ 2 ∂
∇·B = ∇·(x̂x2 − ŷy2 + ẑ2z) = x − y + 2z = 2x − 2y + 2 6= 0,
∂x ∂y ∂z
∇×B = ∇×(x̂x2 − ŷy2 + ẑ2z)
∂ ∂ ∂ 2 ∂
µ ¶ µ ¶
= x̂ (2z) − (−y2 ) + ŷ (x ) − (2z)
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x
∂ ∂
µ ¶
+ ẑ (−y2 ) − (x2 )
∂x ∂y
= x̂0 + ŷ0 + ẑ0.
The field B is conservative but not solenoidal.
(c)
sin φ cos φ
µ ¶
∇·C = ∇· r̂ 2 + φ̂φ 2
r r
1 ∂ sin φ 1 ∂ cos φ ∂
µ µ ¶¶ µ ¶
= r + + 0
r ∂r r 2 r ∂φ r 2 ∂z
− sin φ − sin φ −2 sin φ
= + +0 = ,
r3 r3 r3
 sin φ cos φ
µ ¶
∇×C = ∇× r̂ 2 + φ̂φ 2
r r
1 ∂ ∂ cos φ ∂ sin φ ∂
µ µ ¶¶ µ µ ¶ ¶
= r̂ 0− + φ
φ̂ − 0
r ∂φ ∂z r2 ∂z r2 ∂r
1 ∂ cos φ ∂ sin φ
µ µ µ ¶¶ µ ¶¶
+ ẑ r −
r ∂r r 2 ∂φ r2
cos φ cos φ −2 cos φ
µ µ ¶ µ ¶¶
1
φ
= r̂0 + φ̂ 0 + ẑ − − = ẑ .
r r2 r2 r3

The field C is neither solenoidal nor conservative.

(d)
à !
1 ∂ ∂ ∂
µ µ ¶¶
R̂ 1 1 1 1
∇·D = ∇· = 2 R2 + (0 sin θ ) + 0= 2 ,
R R ∂R R R sin θ ∂ θ R sin θ ∂ φ R
à !
R̂
∇×D = ∇×
R
∂ ∂ 1 ∂ ∂
µ ¶ µ µ ¶ ¶
1 1 1
= R̂ (0 sin θ ) − 0 + θ̂θ − (R(0))
R sin θ ∂ θ ∂φ R sin θ ∂ φ R ∂R
1 ∂ ∂
µ µ ¶¶
1
+ φ̂φ (R(0)) − = r̂0 + θ̂θ0 + φ̂φ0.
R ∂R ∂θ R

The field D is conservative but not solenoidal.

(e)
µ ¶
r
E = r̂ 3 − + ẑz,
1+r
1 ∂ 1 ∂ Eφ ∂ Ez
∇·E = (rEr ) + +
r ∂r r ∂φ ∂z
1 ∂ 2
µ ¶
r
= 3r − +1
r ∂r 1+r
r2
· ¸
1 2r
= 3− + +1
r 1 + r (1 + r)2
1 3 + 3r2 + 6r − 2r − 2r2 + r2 2r2 + 4r + 3
· ¸
= + 1 = + 1 6= 0,
r (1 + r)2 r(1 + r)2
1 ∂ Ez ∂ Eφ ∂ Er ∂ Ez 1 ∂ 1 ∂ Er
µ ¶ µ ¶ µ ¶
∇ × E = r̂ − + φ̂φ − + ẑ (rEφ ) − = 0.
r ∂φ ∂z ∂z ∂r r ∂r r ∂φ

Hence, E is conservative, but not solenoidal.

 (f)
x̂y + ŷx y x
F= 2 2
= x̂ 2 2
+ ŷ 2 ,
x +y x +y x + y2
∂ ∂
µ ¶ µ ¶
y x
∇·F = +
∂x x +y 2 2 ∂ y x + y2
2

−2xy −2xy
= 2 + 6= 0,
(x + y2 )2 (x2 + y2 )2
∂ ∂
· µ ¶ µ ¶¸
x y
∇ × F = x̂(0 − 0) + ŷ(0 − 0) + ẑ −
∂ x x2 + y2 ∂ y x2 + y2
2x2 2y2
µ ¶
1 1
= ẑ 2 − − +
x + y2 (x2 + y2 )2 x2 + y2 (x2 + y2 )2
2(y2 − x2 )
= ẑ 2 6= 0.
(x + y2 )2

Hence, F is neither solenoidal nor conservative.

(g)

G = x̂(x2 + z2 ) − ŷ(y2 + x2 ) − ẑ(y2 + z2 ),

∂ 2 2 ∂ ∂
∇·G = (x + z ) − (y2 + x2 ) − (y2 + z2 )
∂x ∂y ∂z
= 2x − 2y − 2z 6= 0,
∂ 2 2 ∂ 2 ∂ 2 2 ∂ 2 2
µ ¶ µ ¶
∇ × G = x̂ − (y + z ) + (y + x ) + ŷ 2
(x + z ) + (y + z )
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x
∂ 2 ∂ 2 2
µ ¶
2
+ ẑ − (y + x ) − (x + z )
∂x ∂y
= −x̂ 2y + ŷ 2z − ẑ 2x 6= 0.

Hence, G is neither solenoidal nor conservative.

(h)

H = R̂(Re−R ),
1 ∂ 1
∇·H = 2 (R3 e−R ) = 2 (3R2 e−R − R3 e−R ) = e−R (3 − R) 6= 0,
R ∂R R
∇ × H = 0.

Hence, H is conservative, but not solenoidal.

Problem 3.57 Find the Laplacian of the following scalar functions:
(a) V = 4xy2 z3 ,
(b) V = xy + yz + zx,
(c) V = 3/(x2 + y2 ),
(d) V = 5e−r cos φ ,
(e) V = 10e−R sin θ .
Solution:
(a) From Eq. (3.110), ∇2 (4xy2 z3 ) = 8xz3 + 24xy2 z.
(b) ∇2 (xy + yz + zx) = 0.
(c) From the inside back cover of the book,
µ ¶
3 12
∇2
= ∇2 (3r−2 ) = 12r−4 = .
2
x +y 2
(x2 + y2 )2

(d) µ ¶
1 1
∇ (5e
2 −r
cos φ ) = 5e −r
cos φ 1 − − 2 .
r r
(e)
cos2 θ − sin2 θ
· µ ¶ ¸
2
∇ (10e
2 −R
sin θ ) = 10e −R
sin θ 1 − + .
R R2 sin θ