3.

3 Conservative Vector Field

Definition: A vector field ⃗⃗⃗

𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) is called conservative if there exists a differentiable
function 𝑓 such that ⃗⃗⃗
𝑭 = 𝛁𝒇, or equivalently 𝛁  ⃗⃗⃗
𝑭 =𝟎⃗⃗⃗ . The function 𝒇 is called the
⃗⃗⃗ .
potential function for 𝑭

Example:
1. A vector field is given by ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥𝑖⃗ + 𝑦𝑗⃗ and the potential function 𝑓 is given
1
as 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 + 𝑦 .
2 2
2

Since ∇𝑓 = 𝑓𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑓𝑦 ⃗𝑗
= 2𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑦⃗𝑗
= ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 , hence ⃗⃗⃗𝐹 is a conservative vector field

2. Determine if the vector field ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗

𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 2𝑥𝑦 𝑖 + (𝑥 2 + 𝑧 2 )⃗𝑗 + 2𝑦𝑧 𝑘 is
conservative.

Curl ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = ∇  ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)
𝑖 𝑗 ⃗
𝑘
∂ ∂ ∂
=| |
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
2𝑥𝑦 𝑥2 + 𝑧2 2𝑦𝑧
⃗
= (2𝑧 − 2𝑧)𝑖 − (0 − 0)𝑗 + (2𝑥 − 2𝑥)𝑘
⃗⃗⃗
=0
Since 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙 ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ , then ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 0 𝐹 is conservative vector field.

Theorem:
⃗⃗⃗
1) The vector field 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑀 𝑖 + 𝑁⃗𝑗 + 𝑃 𝑘⃗ in space is conservative if and only
if ∇  𝐹 = ⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗ 0 ⃗⃗⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
(ie. Curl 𝐹 0)

[Recall: Curl 𝐹
⃗⃗⃗ = (𝜕𝑃
𝜕𝑦
− 𝜕𝑁
𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑀 ⃗
)𝑖− ( −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
)𝑗 + (
𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀 ⃗⃗⃗
𝜕𝑥
− 𝜕𝑦 ) 𝑘,
𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀
then 𝐹
⃗⃗⃗ is conservative iff = , = and = ]
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

∂N 𝜕M
2) The vector field 𝐹
⃗⃗⃗ (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑀 𝑖 + 𝑁⃗𝑗 in plane is conservative if and only if =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Theorem:

If 𝐹
⃗⃗⃗ is a conservative force field in a region R in space, then the Work Done:
𝑃
1) ∫𝑃 2 𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ is independent of the path C joining the point 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 in the region R.
⃗⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑟
1

2) ∮𝐶 𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 0 if C is a closed curve in region R.

⃗⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑟

3) ∫ ⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑓(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) − 𝑓(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ), where (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) is the endpoint and (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) is the initial
𝐹 . ⃗⃗⃗⃗

point. 𝑓 is the potential function.

𝑃2 𝑃2 𝑃2
[𝑖𝑒. ∫ ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ∫ ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝑟
𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ = [ 𝑓 ] = 𝑓(𝑃2 ) − 𝑓(𝑃1 )]
𝑃1 𝑃1 𝑃1
[Note: Work Done is a scalar]

Example
1. Let ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 = < 2𝑥𝑦𝑧, 𝑥 2 𝑧, 𝑥 2 𝑦 > be a vector field in space.
a) Show that ∮ 𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ is independent of path.
⃗⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑟
𝐶

To show that, we need to prove that ⃗⃗⃗

𝐹 is conservative, ie. ∇  ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 = ⃗⃗0⃗
𝑖 𝑗 ⃗𝑘
𝐹 =| ∂
∇  ⃗⃗⃗ ∂ ∂ |
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
2𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑥 2𝑧 𝑥 2𝑦
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
= 𝑖 | 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 | − 𝑗 | 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 | + ⃗𝑘 | 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 |
𝑥 2𝑧 𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑥 2𝑧

= (𝑥2 − 𝑥2 )𝑖 − (2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦)𝑗 + (2𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑥𝑧)𝑘⃗

= ⃗⃗⃗
0
Therefore, ∮ ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 is independent of path because 𝐹
⃗⃗⃗ is conservative vector
𝐶
field.

b) Find the potential function 𝑓 such that ⃗⃗⃗

𝐹 = ∇𝑓.
∇𝑓 = ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹
∇𝑓 =< 2𝑥𝑦𝑧, 𝑥 2 𝑧, 𝑥 2 𝑦 >
< 𝑓𝑥 , 𝑓𝑦 , 𝑓𝑧 > =< 2𝑥𝑦𝑧, 𝑥 2 𝑧, 𝑥 2 𝑦 >
 𝑓𝑥 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑓𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑧
𝑓 = ∫ 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑓 = ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑧 𝑑𝑦
𝑥2
= 2𝑦𝑧 + ℎ(𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑧)
2

= 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + ℎ(𝑦, 𝑧)

𝑓𝑧 = 𝑥 2 𝑦
𝑓 = ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑧
= 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑘(𝑥, 𝑦)
Hence, 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑐, where 𝑐 = ℎ(𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑧) = 𝑘(𝑥, 𝑦)

2. Given ∅(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 2𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 3 and ⃗⃗⃗

𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) =< 6𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 3 , 4𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 2 >.
Confirm that ∅ is a potential function of ⃗⃗⃗ 𝐹.

∂N 𝜕M
Need to show 1) =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
2) ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 = ∇𝑓

𝐹 is a vector field in plane, hence ⃗⃗⃗

⃗⃗⃗ 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) =< 𝑀, 𝑁 >.

1) 𝑀 = 6𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 3 𝑁 = 4𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 2
𝜕M 𝜕N
= 6𝑥 − 3𝑦 2 = 6𝑥 − 3𝑦 2
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

∂N 𝜕M
Since = , hence ⃗⃗⃗𝐹 is conservative vector field.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

2) ∇∅ = < ∅𝑥 , ∅𝑦 >
= < 6𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 3 , 4𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 2 >
= ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦)

Since ∇∅ = 𝐹
⃗ (𝑥, 𝑦) and ⃗⃗⃗𝐹 is conservative, then ∅ is a potential function of 𝐹⃗⃗⃗ .

Note:
We need to show these two steps because the vector field ⃗⃗⃗ 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑀 𝑖 + 𝑁⃗𝑗 in
∂N 𝜕M
plane is conservative if and only if = . If 𝐹⃗⃗⃗ conservative, only then ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 = ∇∅
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
where ∅ is the potential function of 𝐹⃗⃗⃗ .
3. a) Show that the force ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗)
𝐹 = 𝑒 𝑦+3𝑧 (𝑖 + 𝑥 ⃗𝑗 + 3𝑥𝑘 represents a conservative
force field.
𝑖 𝑗 ⃗𝑘
𝐹 =| ∂
∇  ⃗⃗⃗ ∂ ∂ |
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑒𝑦+3𝑧 𝑥 𝑒𝑦+3𝑧 3𝑥𝑒𝑦+3𝑧
= ⃗⃗0⃗ (D.I.Y)

b) Find a scalar potential function 𝑓 such that ⃗⃗⃗

𝐹 = ∇𝑓.

Answer: 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥𝑒 𝑦+3𝑧 + 𝑐 (D.I.Y)

c) Find the work done in moving a particle under this force field from A(1,1,1) to
B(2,3,-1).

(2,3,−1 )
∫(1,1,1) ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ∫(2,3,−1 ) ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝑟
𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ (because ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 is conservative, from a)
(1,1,1)

(2,3, −1 )
= [𝑓]
(1,1,1)
(2,3, −1 )
= [𝑥𝑒 𝑦+3𝑧 ] (from b)
(1,1,1)
= 𝑓(2,3, −1) − 𝑓(1,1,1)
= 2𝑒 3+3(−1) − 𝑒 1+3
= −52.6

4. a) Let ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 = 𝑎𝑦 2 𝑖 + 2𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑧) ⃗𝑗 + (𝑏𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 ) 𝑘⃗ . For what values of the constants a and
b will ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 be conservative?

⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑎𝑦 2 𝑖 + 2𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑧) ⃗𝑗 + (𝑏𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 ) 𝑘⃗

𝐹
𝑖 𝑗 ⃗𝑘
𝐹 =| ∂
∇  ⃗⃗⃗ ∂ ∂
|
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑎𝑦2 2𝑦𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑧) 𝑏𝑦2 + 𝑧2
= (2𝑏𝑦 − 2𝑦)𝑖 − (0)𝑗 + (2𝑦 − 2𝑎𝑦)𝑘⃗
= < 2𝑏𝑦 − 2𝑦, 0 , 2𝑦 − 2𝑎𝑦 >
 For ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 to be conservative,

𝑖: 2𝑏𝑦 − 2𝑦 = 0 𝑘⃗ : 2𝑦 − 2𝑎𝑦 = 0
2𝑏𝑦 = 2𝑦 2𝑦 = 2𝑎𝑦
𝑏=1 𝑎=1

b) Using the values of a and b, find the potential function 𝑓 such that ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 = ∇𝑓.
∇𝑓 = ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹
∇𝑓 =< 𝑦 2 , 2𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑧), 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 >
< 𝑓𝑥 , 𝑓𝑦 , 𝑓𝑧 > =< 𝑦 2 , 2𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑧), 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 >

𝑓𝑥 = 𝑦 2 𝑓𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑧
𝑓 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑓 = ∫ 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑧 𝑑𝑦
= 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑝(𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑧 + 𝑞(𝑥, 𝑧)

𝑓𝑧 = 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
𝑓 = ∫ 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 𝑑𝑧
𝑧3
= 𝑦2𝑧 + + 𝑟(𝑥, 𝑦)
3

3
Hence, 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥𝑦2 + 𝑦2 𝑧 + 𝑧3 + 𝑐, where 𝑐 = 𝑝(𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑞(𝑥, 𝑧) = 𝑟(𝑥, 𝑧)

c) Evaluate ∮𝐶 𝐹 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ , where C is the closed curve shown below.

⃗⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑟

∮𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 ⃗ because ⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 0 𝐹 is a conservative force field.