1. Introduction (Grad) The vector differential operator V , called “del” or “nabla”, is defined in three dimensions to be: 2 a a V=pr't ait t+ 553 Note that these are partial derivatives! Ifa scalar function, f (2, y, 2), is defined and differentiable at all points in some region, then f is a differentiable scalar field. The del vector operator, V, may be applied to scalar fields and the result, Vf, is a vector field. It is called the gradient of f (see the package on Gradi- ents and Directional Derivatives). Quiz As a revision exercise, choose the gradient of the scalar field f(x,y, 2) = ry? — yz. (a) #+ (22 —2)j —yk, (b) 2eyt + 2ryj + yk, (c) y%i—2zj7—yk, (4d) y?é+ (Qay — z)j — yk.The vector operator V may also be allowed to act upon vector fields. Two different ways in which it may act, the subject of this package, are extremely important in mathematics, science and engineering. We will first briefly review some useful properties of vectors Consider the (three dimensional) vector, @ = a,i + a2j + ask. We may also write this as @ = (a;,a2,a3). If we multiply it by a constant ¢, then every component of the vector is multiplied by e: ca = ac = (cay, caz,cas) « If we introduce a second vector, b = (b1,b2,b3), then we recall that there are two different ways of multiplying vectors together, the scalar and vector products. The scalar product (also called dot product) is defined by: a-b=ajb; + azb2 + agbs It is a scalar (as the name scalar product implies).: Introduction (Grad) Se Quiz Select the scalar product of a = (1, 2,3) and b = (3, —2, 1). (a) 2, (b) 10, (©) 3" —4y +32, (a) 4. The vector product (or cross product) is defined by (a2b3 — agb2)é — (aib3 — azbi)9 + (aib2 — azbi)k axb = tgok = |a a as br ba bs It is a vector (as the name vector product implies). Note that the a useful shorthand for the first. second line i: Quiz Choose the vector product of a = (1, 2,3) and b = (3, —2.1). (a) —8j —8k, (b) 4% — 107 + 4k, (©) 84+87—8k, (a) 8%— 107 —8k.Section 2: Divergence (Div) 2. Divergence (Div) If F(x, y) is a vector field, then its divergence is written as div F(x, y) = V- F(r) which in two dimensions is: It is obtained by taking the scalar product of the vector operator V applied to the vector field F(x, y). The divergence of a vector field is a scalar field Example 2 The divergence of F(«,y) = 3x?é + 2u@ is: V-F(a,y) = aa ~ ie a (32?) + Zen =6r+2.Section 2: Divergence (Div) 7 Quiz Select the divergence of F(x, y) = ae + (Qa — 3y)9- 1 @) 5-3) &) -B+2, « ‘2. =--4, (@ -2. oa (a) The definition of the divergence may be directly extended to vector fields defined in three dimensions, F(x, 4,2) = Fié + Fog + Fsk: EXERCISE 1. Calculate the divergence of the vector fields F(a, y) and G(x, y, 2) (click on the green letters for the solutions). (a) F=ai+yj, (b) F=yi+ayj, (c) F = 327i —G6ryj, (d) G=27i+ 225 — yk, (ec) G= 4 + sin(y)j + 3k, (f) @ =c*i + In(xy)j + e**Section 3: Curl 3. Curl The curl of a vector field, F(a, y, 2), in three dimensions may be writ- ten curl F(x, y,2) = V x F(a, y, 2), ie: OF; OF2,. OF: OF... OF: OF, Vx Fue) = (GP - Spt (Ge — Be + (Se By? a ji ok a 39 2a It is obtained by taking the vector product of the vector operator V applied to the vector field F(x, y, 2). The second line is again a formal shorthand. The curl of a vector field is a vector field. N.B. V x F is sometimes called the rotation of F and written rot F’.Section 3: Curl Example 3 The curl of F(«, y, 2) = 3024 + 229 — wk is: Z VxF = 22 — 282), (Oa) _ o1824 O22) _ a(x?) +Cor ~~ ay * (0 — 2)é — (—1 — 0)7 + (0— 0) 249 Quiz Which of the following is the curl of F(a, y, 2) = xi + yj + zk? (a) 24-27 +2k, (b) wi+yg+zk, (c) 0, (A) it+g+hk.Section 3: Curl EXERCISE 2. Calculate the curl of the following vector fields F(a, y, 2) (click on the green letters for the solutions). (a) F=2i-yj+zk, (b) F = t+ acyg — zk zk Vary? + 2 (c) F « (d) F = 277i +225 —yk Here is a review exercise before the final quiz. EXERCISE 3. Let f be a scalar field and F(x, y,2) and G(x,y, 2) be vector fields. What, if anything, is wrong with each of the following expressions (click on the green letters for the solutions)? (a) VF : (b) V-F (ce) VxG=V-F. — 22yj — 2k,Section 4: Final Quiz 4. Final Quiz Choose the solutions from the options given. 1. Select the divergence of G(x, y, z) = 2x3i — 3xyj + 3x?zk? (a) 922-32, (b)622+3r, (c)0, (A) 3a? —3e 2. Select the divergence of r/r3, where r = |r| and r = wi+yj +k. 4 -2 3 @ => ® % © F @ ¥- 3. Choose the curl of F(z,y,2) = 22i + xyzj — zk at the point (2,1, -2). (a) 2é+2k, (b) 24-29, (c) 4é—49+2k, (d) —2¢-2k. A. Select the irrotational vector field (i-e., whose curl is zero) (a) y2i —2xzj + zyzk, (b) yi +azgj + 22k, (c) 24-29 + y2k, (d) yé + (a — 2)j — yk.