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Lec 3

The document introduces electromagnetic fields, focusing on scalar and vector fields, and their representation. It discusses the del operator, which is used to define gradient, divergence, curl, and Laplacian in different coordinate systems. Additionally, it covers the divergence theorem and Stokes' theorem, illustrating these concepts with examples.

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8 views15 pages

Lec 3

The document introduces electromagnetic fields, focusing on scalar and vector fields, and their representation. It discusses the del operator, which is used to define gradient, divergence, curl, and Laplacian in different coordinate systems. Additionally, it covers the divergence theorem and Stokes' theorem, illustrating these concepts with examples.

Uploaded by

eyuelayalew185
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to

Electromagnetic Fields

Lecture #3
𝐴 𝑡 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑡 𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝑡 𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝑡 𝑧
For instance, a temperature field or a potential field is a scalar field
while an electrical field or a gravitational field is a vector field.

A scalar field can be illustrated as Vector fields can be represented


the curves that have the equal by ‘directed curves ’.
amount of quantities.

Scalar and vector fields

• Some physical quantities are defined by the


values they have in specific locations in
space.
• These quantities are called fields. The direction of the field at any point
Scalar field equipotential curves
of the curve is the tangential line of
• These fields are scalar or vector fields
that point. High abundance of the
based on the quantities they present.
field curves indicates high intensity of
the field.
DEL OPERATOR

 The del operator, written 𝛻, is the vector differential operator. In,

Cartesian coordinates Cylindrical coordinates Spherical coordinates

 This vector differential operator, otherwise known as the gradient operator, is not a vector
in itself, but when it operates on a scalar function, for example, a vector ensues. The
operator is useful in defining:
 Gradient of a scalar V, written, as 𝛻𝑉
 Divergence of a vector A, written as 𝛻 ∙ 𝐴
 Curl of a vector A, written as 𝛻 × 𝐴
 Laplacian of a scalar V, written as 𝛻 2 𝑉
Example

So the gradient of the magnitude of the position


vector is the unit vector with the same direction.
The divergence of a vector field is defined as the
rate at which a vector field contracts or expands
(diverges) at a given point.

Mathematically speaking, divergence is a vector


operator that produces a scalar field.
Divergence theorem: states that the total
outward flux of a vector field A through the
closed surface S is the same as the volume
integral of the divergence of A.

Example 1:

Problem
If determine the flux of G out
Example 2: of the entire surface of the cylinder p = l , 0 < z < 1.
Confirm the result using the divergence theorem.
The Curl is a measure of how much a
vector swirls around a point in question.

Stokes’ theorem
Useful identities
First, let us repeat some derivative rules for different
operations.
Note for properties gradient of a scalar

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