Solutions to the Homework Problems

1. A particle moves so that it’s position vector is

given by ⃗ = cos ̂ + sin ̂ , where is a
constant. Show that

(a) The vector of the particle ⃗ is perpendicular to ⃗

(b) ⃗ × ⃗ = a constant vector

Solution:

(a) Given,
⃗ = cos ̂ + sin ̂
⃗
⃗= =− ̂+ cos ̂

Now,
⃗. ⃗ = − cos + cos
=0

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 1
So, the vector of the particle ⃗ is perpendicular to ⃗

̂ ̂
(b) ⃗ × ⃗ = cos sin 0
− sin cos 0

= ( cos + sin )
= (sin + cos )
=

∴ ⃗× ⃗ = constant vector.

2. Find the value of for which the vector

⃗=( − ) ̂ + ( − 2) ̂ + (1 − )
have it’s curl identically equal to zero.

Solution:
Given,
⃗=( − ) ̂ + ( − 2) ̂ + (1 − )

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 2
Now,

∇⃗ × ⃗ = 0⃗

̂ ̂
=>
− ( − 2) (1 − )

= 0. ̂ + 0. ̂ + 0.

=> − (1 − ) +3 ̂ + ( − 2)2 −
= 0. ̂ + 0. ̂ + 0.

=> −( − + 3 ) ̂ + (2 − 4 − )
= 0. ̂ + 0. ̂ + 0.

=> ( −4 ) ̂+ ( − 4 ) = 0. ̂ + 0. ̂ + 0.

=> ( − 4) ̂ + ( − 4) = 0. ̂ + 0. ̂ + 0.

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 3
Comparing both sides we get,

( − 4) = 0
=> = 4 [ ≠ 0]
( − 4) = 0
=> = 4 [ ≠ 0]

3. If ⃗ j = 2 ̂+ ̂+3 . Find
φ ( , , ) when j (1, −2,2) = 4.

Solution:
Given,

∇⃗j = 2 ̂+ ̂+3
j j j
=> ̂+ ̂+ = 2 ̂+ ̂+
3
Comparing both sides, we get,
j
=2 , j = + ( , )

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 4
 j
= , j = + ( , )
j
=3 , j = + ( , )

Applying j (1, −2,2) = 4, we get,

4 = −16 + ( , )
=> ( , ) = 20
4 = −16 + ( , )
=> ( , ) = 20
and
4 = −16 + ( , )
=> ( , ) = 20

∴j = + 20

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 5
4. Show that ⃗ = (6 + ) ̂ + (3 − ) ̂+
(3 − ) is irrotational. Find j such that ⃗ =
∇⃗j.
Solution:

curl ⃗ = ∇⃗ × ⃗
̂ ̂
=
6 + 3 − 3 −
= (−1 + 1) ̂ − (3 − 3 ) ̂ + (6 − 6 )
= 0⃗
∴ ⃗ is irrotational.

Now,
⃗ = ∇⃗j

=> (6 + ) ̂ + (3 − ) ̂ + (3 − ) =
j j j
̂+ ̂+

Comparing both sides, we get,

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 6
 j
= (6 + ), j =3 + + ( , )
j
= (3 − ), j =3 − + ( , )
j
= (3 − ), j = − + ( , )

Here,
( , )= −
( , )=
( , )=3

∴j =3 − +

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 7
5. Find the unit tangent vector to any point on the
curve = + 1, = 4 − 3, = 2 − 6 .
Determine the unit tangent vector at the point
where = 2.

Solution:
The position vector of the particle is ,
⃗= ̂+ ̂+
 ⃗=( + 1) ̂ + (4 − 3) ̂ + (2 −6 )
Tangent vector,
⃗
⃗=
⃗
= 2 ̂ + 4 ̂ + (4 − 6)
⃗
∴ Unit tangent vector =
| ⃗|

̂ ̂ ( )
=
( )

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 8
At t=2,
̂ ̂
Unit tangent vector = = ̂+ ̂+

6. If ∅( , , ) = and ⃗= ̂− ̂+
, find ∅ ⃗ at the point (2, -1, 1).

Solution:

Given, j ( , , ) = and ⃗ = ̂− ̂+

Now,

j ⃗ =( )( ̂− ̂+ )
= ̂− ̂+

Then, j ⃗ = ( ̂− ̂+ )

=2 ̂− ̂+3

j ⃗ = (2 ̂− ̂+3 )

=> ∅⃗ = 4 ̂−2 ̂+3

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 9
 j ⃗ = ∅⃗ =

(4 ̂−2 ̂+3 )=4 ̂−2 ̂

Now, (j ⃗ ) at the point (2,-1,1) is,

4 ̂−2 ̂ = 4(−1) . 1 ̂ − 2(−1) ̂ = 4 ̂ − 2 ̂

7. If ⃗ = 3 ̂+2 ̂− and j = 2 .
Find div curl ⃗ and curl gradj.
Solution:
Given,
⃗= 3 ̂+2 ̂−
j =2
Now,

curl ⃗ = ∇⃗ × ⃗

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 10
 ̂ ̂
=
3 2 −
= − ̂ − (−2 −6 ) ̂ + (2 −3 )
= − ̂+8 ̂ + (2 −3 )

div curl ⃗ = ∇⃗. ∇⃗ × ⃗

= (− )+ (8 )+ (2 − 3 )

= −2 +8 −6
=0
div curl ⃗ = 0
Now,

grad j = ∇⃗j

= (2 ) ̂+ (2 ) ̂+ (2 )

=6 ̂+ 4 ̂+8

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 11
curl grad j = ∇⃗ × ∇⃗j
̂ ̂
=
6 4 8
= (16 − 16 ) ̂ − (24 −
24 ) ̂ + (12 − 12 )

= 0⃗
∴ curl grad j = 0⃗

Dr. A. K. M. Nazimuddin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of MPS, East West University Page 12