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The Divergence of a Vector Field
Consider the vector fields
Vector function with two variable :
r
F ( x, y ) = P( x, y )ˆi + Q( x, y )ˆj
Vector function with three variable :
r
F( x, y, z ) = P( x, y, z )ˆi + Q( x, y, z )ˆj + R( x, y, z )kˆ
iˆ ˆj kˆ
r ∂ ∂ ∂
curl F =
∂x ∂y ∂z
P Q R
In terms of the differential operator ∇, the curl of F
r r ∂R ∂Q ˆ ∂P ∂R ˆ ∂Q ∂P ˆ
Curl F = ∇ × F = ( − )i + ( − ) j + ( − )k
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y
A key point: F is a vector and the curl of F is a vector.
r r
Example: F = 4 xyiˆ + ( 2 x + 2 yz ) ˆj + 3( z + y )kˆ, Find ∇ × F 7
2 2 2
Physical Interpretation of the Curl
Consider a vector field F that represents a fluid velocity:
The curl of F at a point in a fluid is a measure of the rotation of
the fluid.
If there is no rotation of fluid anywhere then ∇ x F = 0. Such a
vector field is said to be irrotational or conservative.
For a 2D flow with F represents the fluid velocity, ∇ x F is
perpendicular to the motion and represents the direction of axis of
rotation.
Related Course:
ENGR361
2 ) ∇ [ f ( r ) g ( r ) ] = g∇ f + f ∇ g
[ r
] r r
3) ∇ • f ( r ) F ( r ) = f∇ • F + F • ∇f
[ r
] r r
4 ) ∇ × f ( r ) F ( r ) = f∇ × F + ( ∇ f ) × F
[ r r
] r r r r
5) ∇ • F ( r ) × G ( r ) = G • (∇ × F ) − F • (∇ × G )
r r
6) div[curl F ( r )] = ∇ • (∇ × F ) = 0
7) curl[grad f ( r )] = ∇ × (∇f ) = 0
r
Verification Examples: f =x y z ;
2 2 3
F =< x 2 y, xy 2 z,− yz 2 >
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Vector Calculus and Heat Transfer
Consider a solid material with density ρ, heat capacity c , the
temperature distribution T(x,y,z,t) and heat flux vector q.
conservation of heat energy
∂
(ρcT ) + ∇ ⋅ q = 0
∂t
In many cases the heat flux is given by Fick’s law
q = −k∇T
Which results in heat equation:
∂T
= κ∇ 2T ,
∂t
Related Course: MECH352
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Vector Calculus and Fluid Mechanics
Conservation of Mass:
Let
ρ be the fluid density and
v be the fluid velocity.
Conservation of mass in a volume gives
∂ρ
+ ∇ ⋅ (ρv) = 0
∂t
Which can be written as
∂ρ
+ ρ∇ ⋅ v + v ⋅ ∇ ρ = 0
∂t
Related Course: ENGR361
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Vector Calculus and Electromagnetics
Maxwell equations in free space
• Maxwell Equations describe the transmission
of information ( internet data, TV/radio
program, phone,…) using wireless
communication.
∇ ⋅ E = ρ v / ε 0 , ∇ × E = −∂B / ∂t
∇ ⋅ B = 0, ∇ × B = µ0 J + ε 0∂E / ∂t
Solutions of this equations are essential for the analysis, design
and advancement of wireless devices and system, high-speed
electronics, microwave imaging, remote sensing, …etc.
Related Courses: ELEC251, ELEC351, ELEC353, ELEC453,
ELEC 456, ELEC 457
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Magneto-static Field Example
Magneto-static Field is an example of rotational field
∇×B = J
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