9/8/21, 11:55 AM Vector Calculus

Vector Calculus
Many quantities which are of interest in physics are both directed quantities (vectors) and
can take on a continuous range of values, making calculus methods necessary. Several Index
operations from the mathematical field of vector calculus are of particular importance in
solving physical problems. Vector

concepts
Basic vector calculus Vector calculus Divergence Stokes'
operations identities theorem theorem

 
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Vector Calculus Operations

Three vector calculus operations which find many applications in physics are:

1. The divergence of a vector function

Index
2. The curl of a vector function

Vector
calculus

3. The Gradient of a scalar function

These examples of vector calculus operations are expressed in Cartesian coordinates, but
they can be expressed in terms of any orthogonal coordinate system, aiding in the solution of
physical problems which have other than rectangular symmetries.
 
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9/8/21, 11:55 AM Vector Calculus

The Del Operator

The collection of partial derivative operators

is commonly called the del operator. It shows up in important vector calculus operations. Index

Vector
Gradient calculus

Divergence

Curl

LaPlacian

 
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