Divergence and Curl of a Vector Function

ƒ This unit is based on Section 9.7 , Chapter 9.

ƒ All assigned readings and exercises are from the textbook
ƒ Objectives:
Make certain that you can define, and use in context, the terms,
concepts and formulas listed below:
1. find the divergence and curl of a vector field.
2. understand the physical interpretations of the Divergence and
Curl.
3. solve practical problems using the curl and divergence.
ƒ Reading: Read Section 9.7, pages 483-487.
ƒ Exercises: Complete problems
ƒ Prerequisites: Before starting this Section you should . . .
9 be familiar with the concept of partial differentiation
9 be familiar with vector dot and cross multiplications
9 be familiar with 3D coordinate system
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 Differentiation of vector fields
ƒ Example of a vector field: Suppose fluid moves down a
pipe, a river flows, or the air circulates in a certain pattern.
The velocity can be different at different points and may be
at different time.
ƒ The velocity vector F gives the direction of flow and speed of
flow at every point.
ƒ Applications of Vector Fields:
• Mechanics
• Electric and Magnetic fields
• Fluids motions
• Heat transfer
ƒ There are two kinds of differentiation of a vector field F(x,y,z):
1. divergence (div F = ∇ . F) and
2. curl (curl F = ∇ x F) 2
Examples of Vector Fields

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 The Divergence of a Vector Field
ƒ 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

ƒ We define the divergence of F

r ∂P ∂Q ∂R
Div F = + +
∂x ∂y ∂z
ƒ In terms of the differential operator ∇, the divergence of F
r r ∂P ∂Q ∂R
Div F = ∇ • F = + +
∂x ∂y ∂z
ƒ A key point: F is a vector and the divergence of F is a scalar.
r r
Example: F = 4 xyiˆ + ( 2 x + 2 yz ) ˆj + 3( z + y )kˆ, Find ∇.F
2 2 2
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 Divergence
• Divergence is the outflow of flux from a
small closed surface area (per unit volume)
as volume shrinks to zero.

• Air leaving a punctured tire: Divergence is positive,

as closed surface (tire) exhibits net outflow

• The divergence measures sources and

drains of flow:

∇ ⋅ F(@ P ) > 0 ⇒ source

∇ ⋅ F(@ P ) < 0 ⇒ sink
∇ ⋅ F(@ P ) = 0 ⇒ no source or sink
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 Physical Interpretation of the Divergence
ƒ Consider a vector field F that represents a fluid velocity:
The divergence of F at a point in a fluid is a measure of the rate
at which the fluid is flowing away from or towards that point.
ƒ A positive divergence is indicating a flow away from the point.
ƒ Physically divergence means that either the fluid is expanding or
that fluid is being supplied by a source external to the field.
ƒ The lines of flow diverge from a source and converge to a sink.
ƒ If there is no gain or loss of fluid anywhere then div F = 0. Such a
vector field is said to be solenoidal.
ƒ The divergence also enters electrical
engineering topics such as electric and
magnetic fields:
• For a magnetic field:∇ · B = 0, that is
there are no sources or sinks of magnetic
field, a solenoidal filed.
• For an electric field:∇ · E = ρ/ε, that is
there are sources of electric field.. 6
 The Curl of a Vector Field
ƒ Consider the vector fields
r
F( x, y , z ) = P( x, y , z )ˆi + Q ( x, y , z )ˆj + R( x, y , z )kˆ
ƒ The curl of F is another vector field defined as:

iˆ ˆj kˆ
r ∂ ∂ ∂
curl F =
∂x ∂y ∂z
P Q R
ƒ 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
ƒ 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
ƒ 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.
ƒ If there is no rotation of fluid anywhere then ∇ x F = 0. Such a
vector field is said to be irrotational or conservative.
ƒ 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

ƒ The curl also enters electrical engineering topics such as electric

and magnetic fields:
¾ A magnetic field (denoted by H) has the property ∇ x H = J.
¾ An electrostatic field (denoted by E) has the property ∇ x E = 0,
an irrotational (conservative) field. Related Course: Elec 251/351 8
Further properties of the vector differential operator ∇
1) div[grad f ( x, y , z )] = ∇ • ∇f = ∇ 2 f ;
∂ f ∂ f ∂ f
2 2 2 ∇2 is called the
= 2 + 2 + 2 Laplacian operator
∂x ∂y ∂z

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
ƒ Consider a solid material with density ρ, heat capacity c , the
temperature distribution T(x,y,z,t) and heat flux vector q.
ƒ conservation of heat energy
∂
(ρcT ) + ∇ ⋅ q = 0
∂t
ƒ In many cases the heat flux is given by Fick’s law
q = −k∇T
ƒ Which results in heat equation:

∂T
= κ∇ 2T ,
∂t
ƒ Related Course: MECH352
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 Vector Calculus and Fluid Mechanics
ƒ 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
ƒ Related Course: ENGR361
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 Vector Calculus and Electromagnetics
ƒ 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
ƒ 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.
ƒ 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

∇ × B = 0, outside the cable

∇ × B ≠ 0, inside the cable

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