(1-4) Vector Calculus-Differential Part

1st Topic
Vector Calculus
Differentiation of vectors, Space curves (Curves in
Space), Curvature, Torsion, Radius of curvature
and radius of torsion, Frenet’s Formulae
Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
(Last updated on 23-09-2010)
Latest update available at: http://www.freewebs.com/sunilnit/
Introduction
Differentiation of vectors
General rule of differentiation
Space curves (curves in space)
Tangent, Principal normal, Binormal
Osculating plane, Normal plane, Reflecting plane
Curvature and Torsion
Radius of curvature and Radius of torsion
Frenet’s formulae
Problems using the general rule of differentiation
Problem on angle between the tangents
Problems for evaluating unit tangent vector
Problems on curvature and torsion
Problems on equations of the tangent line, the osculating plane and binormal
Vector Calculus: Differentiation of vectors, Curves in space 2
Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur
Introduction:
Many physical quantities that occur in engineering and science require more than a
single number to characterize them. When describing quantities such as force and velocity it is
necessary to specify both a magnitude and a direction, and these are examples of vector
quantities, whereas the air temperature, which can be speciﬁed by giving a single number, is an
example of a scalar quantity. Physical problems are often best described in terms of vectors, so
the objective of this topic is to develop the most important aspects of vector differential calculus.
Differentiation of vectors:
If a vector R varies continuously as a scalar variable t changes, then R is said to
be a function of t and is written as R  F  t  .
Definition: The derivative of a vector function R  F  t  is defined as
F  t  t   F  t 
Lt
 t 0 t
dR dF
and write it as or or F   t  .
dt dt
General rules of differentiation:
General rules of differentiation are similar to those of ordinary calculus provided
the order of factors in vector products is maintained.
Thus, if  is scalar and F, G, H are vector functions of a scalar variable t, then we have
d dF dG dH
(i) F  G  H   
dt dt dt dt
d dF d
(ii)  F     F
dt dt dt
d dF dG
(iii)  F.G   .G  F.
dt dt dt
d dF dG
(iv) F  G    G  F 
dt dt dt
 FGH    GH   F H   FG 

d dF dG dH
(v)
dt  dt   dt   dt 
d  dF   dG  dH
(vi)  F  G   H   
 G  H  F   H  F  G  .
dt  dt   dt  dt
d dG dF
(iv) Prove that F  G   F    G .
dt dt dt
d  F  F    G  G   F  G
Proof:  F  G    Lt
dt t 0 t
 F  G    F  G    F  G    F  G    F  G 
 Lt
 t 0 t
 F  G    F  G    F  G 
 Lt
 t 0 t
 G F F  dG dF
 Lt F   G   G   F    G  G  0 as t  0
 t 0
 t t t  dt dt
This completes the proof.
dF
Result No.1.: If F(t) has a constant magnitude, then show that F.  0.
dt
Proof: Given: F(t) has a constant magnitude  F  t   constant .
dF
To show: F.  0.
dt
Since F  t   constant  F  t   constant  F  t  .F  t   constant .

2
Differentiate w.r.t. t, we get

d dF dF dF dF
 F.F   0  F.  .F  0  2F.  0  F.  0 .
dt dt dt dt dt
dF dF
Note: F. 0 F.
dt dt
dF
Result No.2.: If F(t) has a constant direction, then show that F   0.
dt
Proof: Given: F(t) has a constant direction.

Therefore, assume that G  t  be a unit vector in the direction of F(t).

Let F  t   f  t  , then F  t   f (t) G  t  .
Differentiate w.r.t. t, we get


dF d G df 
 f (t)  G. (i)
dt dt dt

Since F(t) has a constant direction  G  t  has also a constant direction.

 G t
 G  t  is a constant vector   0.
dt

dF d G df  dF df 
From (i), we have  f (t)  G  G
dt dt dt dt dt
dF 
 df   df  
Now F   f G  G   f G G  0
dt  dt  dt
dF
 F  0.
dt
Now let us solve few problems using the general rule of differentiation:
    
Q.No.1.: If A  5t 2 I  t J  t 3 K , B  sin t I  cos t J ,
d d
find (i)  A.B  , (ii)  A  B  .
dt dt
d dB dA
Sol.: (i)  A.B   A.  .B
dt dt dt
   
   
    
  

  5t 2 I  t J  t 3 K  . cost I    sin t  J   10t I  J  3t 2 K  .  sin t I  cos t J 
      
 
 5t 2 cos t  t sin t  10t sin t  cos t   5t 2 cos t  11t sin t  cos t . Ans.
d dB dA
(ii):  A  B  A    B
dt dt dt
   
   
    
   

  5t 2 I  t J  t 3 K    cos t I  sin t J    10t I  J  3t 2 K    sin t I  cos t J 
       
 
  
  
 5t 2 sin t K  t cos t   K   t 3 cos t J  t 3 sin t   I  
    
 
  
  
  10t cos t K  sin t   K   3t 2 sin t J  3t 2 cos t   I  
    
  
   
 t 3 sin t  3t 2 cos t I  t 2  t cos t  3sin t  J   5t 2  1 sin t  11t cos t  K . Ans.
Space curves (Curves in Space):

Associated with each point on a curve, there is a set of three mutually
perpendicular lines known as
Tangent, Principal normal, Binormal
and three mutually perpendicular planes determined by these in pairs and known
as
Osculating plane, Normal plane, Rectifying plane.
Binormal

B
Normal Plane
Rectifying
Plane
O Curve
 Principal
T  Normal
Osculating Plane N
Tangent
(1) Tangent at a point:

  
Let R  t   x  t  I  y(t) J  z  t  K be the position vector of a point P.
We observe that, as the scalar parameter t takes different values, then the point P traces
out a curve in space.
If the neighbouring point Q corresponds to t  t , then
R  R  t  t   R  t  .
z-axis
Q
P0(t0)
R
s P(t)
s
Rt  X
Tangent
Rt  t 
y-axis
x-axis
R R  t  t   R  t  
As t is scalar, then the vector  is parallel to PQ
t t
or directed along the chord PQ.
R
Now, taking the limit, when Q  P , and consequently t  0 , we get Lim ,
QP
t  0
t
which becomes the tangent (vector) to the curve at P, whenever it exists and is not zero.
R dR
But Lim   R
Q P
t  0
t dt
dR
Thus, the vector R  is a tangent to the space curve R  F  t  .
dt
Vector equation of the tangent:
If u is the scalar parameter, R is the position vector of the point P and X is the
position vector of any point on the tangent.
dR
Then, the vector equation of the tangent at P is X  R  u
dt
 X  F  t   uF(t) .
Formula for evaluating arc length:

Let P0 be a fixed point of this curve corresponding to t  t 0 .
If s be the length of the arc P0 P , then
s s R arc PQ R
 .  .
t R t chord PQ t
arc PQ
Now, as Q  P along the curve QP i.e., t  0 , and consequently 1.
chord PQ
s R
Then Lim  Lim
Q P
t 0
t t 0 t
Q  P
ds dR
   R  t  .
dt dt
If R  t  is continuous, then by taking integration, the arc P0 P is given by

t t
s R  dt    x     y    z  
2 2 2
dt .
t0 t0
This is the required formula for evaluating the length of an arc.

Remarks:
ds dR
Since, we know  .
dt dt
If we take s as the parameter in place of t, then the magnitude of the tangent vector is
equal to one, i.e.
dR
 1.
ds
  dR
Thus, if we denote the unit tangent vector by T , then we have T .
ds
(2) Principal Normal:

 dT 
Since T is unit tangent vector, then we have .T  0 .
ds
 
dT  dT
 is perpendicular to T and 0
ds ds

 T is constant vector w.r.t. the arc length s and so has a fixed direction.
i.e. the curve is a straight line.


If we denote a unit normal vector to the curve at P by N ,

dT 
then is in the direction of N ,
ds
which is known as the principal normal to the space curve at P.
Osculating plane:
 
The plane between T and N is called the osculating plane of the curve at P.
(3) Binormal:
   
A third unit vector B defined by B  T N , is called the binormal at P.
 
Since T and N are unit vectors
  
 B is also a unit vector perpendicular to both T and N .

Hence B is normal to the osculating plane at P.
Final Conclusions:
Thus, at each point P of a space curve, there are three mutually perpendicular unit
  
vectors T , N , B which form a moving trihedral such that
  
T  N B ,
  
N  B T ,
  
B  T N .
This moving trihedral determines the following three fundamentals planes at each point
of the curve: 
B

 N
T
 
(i) The osculating plane containing T and N .
 
(ii) The normal plane containing N and B .
 
(iii) The rectifying plane containing B and T .
Remarks:
dR
(i) The tangent is parallel to the vectors
ds
d 2R
The principal normal is parallel to the vector
ds 2
dR d 2 R
The binomial is parallel to the vector  .
ds ds2
(ii) Equation of normal plane at a point P with position vector R, is
dR
 X  R .  0,
dt
where X is the position vector of any point on the plane.
(iii) Equation of osculating plane is
dR d 2 R
 X  R .  2  0
dt dt
dR d 2 R dR d 2 R
 X.  2 R  .
dt dt dt dt 2
Curvature:

dT
The arc rate of rotation of the tangent (i.e. the magnitude of ) is called
ds
curvature of the curve and is denoted by k.

dT
Thus, k.
ds
or
The arc rate at which the tangent changes its direction as the point moves along
the curve is known as curvature.
Torsion:

dB
The arc rate of rotation of the bi-normal (i.e. the magnitude of ) is called
ds

dB
torsion of the curve and is denoted by  .Thus,  .
ds
or
The arc rate at which the bi-normal changes its direction as the point moves along
the curve is known as torsion.

Remarks: Here, the torsion  is positive or negative according as the vectors N and

dB
have the same or opposite senses.
ds
Radius of curvature and radius of torsion:
The reciprocal of curvature is called radius of curvature and is denoted by  .
1
Thus   .
k
The reciprocal of torsion is called the radius of torsion and is denoted by  .
1
Thus   .

Frenet’s Formulae:
We shall now establish the following important results, known as Frenet’s formulae.
  
dT  dB  dN  
(i)  kN, (ii)  N, (iii)   B k T
ds ds ds
Proof:

dT 
(i) To prove:  kN.
ds

 dT
Since, we know that N is the unit vector having the sense and direction of .
ds

dT 
i.e. ║N .
ds

dT
And moreover, we also know that k.
ds

dT 
Combining these two facts, we obtain  kN.
ds

dB 
(ii) To prove:  N.
ds

 dB 
Since B is a unit vector, we have .B  0 .
ds

dB 
 is perpendicular to B .
ds
  d  
Also B. T = 0   B .T   0
ds  
 
dB   dT
 . T B . 0
ds ds

 
 
dB       d T
 . T B .  k N   0 .   k N
ds    ds 
 

dB     

ds
.T  0  B . N  0 

dB 
 is perpendicular to T .
ds
 
dB  dB 
Thus,  B and  T.
ds ds
 
dB  dB 
Hence, is parallel to the vector N  ║N .
ds ds

dB
And moreover, we also know that  .
ds

dB 
Combining these two facts, we obtain  N.
ds

dB 
Here, the torsion  is positive or negative according as the vectors N and as defined
ds
above, have the same or opposite senses.
 
dB  dB 
Remarks: If has direction of  N , then   N .
ds ds

dN  
(iii) To prove:   B k T .
ds
  
Since we know that N  B T .
Differentiate w.r.t. s, we get
  
dN dB   dT
  T B .
ds ds ds
  
 
  
 d B  dT

  N T B k N    N,  k N
 ds ds 
 
       
  B  k T   B  T N, T  N B  .
Now let us solve some more problems using the general rule of differentiation:
Q.No.2.: Show that, if R  A sin t  B cos t , where A, B and  are constants, then
d2R dR
2
 2 R and R   A  B .
dt dt
Sol.: R  A sin t  B cos t , A, B and  are constants
(i) R  A sin t  B cos t
Differentiating w. r. t. t, we get
dR
  A cos t  B   sin t 
dt
Differentiating again w. r. t. t, we get
d2R
2
 2 A cos t  B2 cos t  2  A sin t  B cos t 
dt
d 2R
2
 2R . Ans.
dt
(ii) R  A sin t  B cos t
dR
  A cos t  B sin t
dt
dR
R  A sin t  B cos t   A cos t  B sin t 
dt
 A  B sin 2 t  A  B cos 2 t    A  B   sin 2 t  cos 2 t 
   A  B  . Ans.
Q.No.3.: R  t m A  t n B , where A, B are constant vectors,

d2R
show that, if R and are parallel vectors, then m + n =1, unless m = n.
dt 2
Sol.: R  t m A  t n B
dR dA n dB
Differentiating w. r. t ‘t’, we get  mt m 1A  nt n 1B  t m t
dt dt dt
d 2R
Differentiating again w. r. t ‘t’, we get 2
 mm  1t m  2 A  n n  1t n  2B
dt
d2R d2R
Since R and are parallel vectors, then R  0
dt 2 dt 2
 
 t m A  t n B   m  m  1 t m  2 A  n  n  1 t n  2B   0
 n  n  1 t m n 2 A  B  m  m  1 t m  n 2 B  A  0
 n  n  1 t m n 2 A  B    m  m  1 t m  n  2B  A
 n  n  1 t m n 2 A  B   m  m  1 t m  n  2 A  B
  m  m  1  n  n  1  m2  m  n 2  n  m2  n 2  m  n
  m  n  m  n   m  n  m  n  1
  m  n   m  n   1  0
d 2R
R and are parallel if m + n =1, unless m = n.
dt 2
Hence this proved the result.
     
Q.No.4.: If P  5t 2 I  t 3 J  t K , Q  2 I sin t  J cos t  5t K ,
d d
find (i)  P.Q  (ii) P  Q  .
dt dt
d dQ dP
Sol.:(i)  P.Q   P.  .Q
dt dt dt
   
   
    
   

  5t 2 I  t 3 J  t K   2 cos t I  sin t J  5t K    10t I  3t 2 J  K   2sin t I  cos t J  5t K 
     
 10t 2 cos t  t 3 sin t  5t  20t sin t  3t 2 cos t  5t
 t 3 sin t  7t 2 cos t  20t sin t  10t . Ans.
d
(ii) P  Q 
dt
  
I J K
Now P  Q  5t 2
t 3
t
2sin t  cos t 5t
  
    
 I 5t 4  t cos t  J 2t sin t  25t 3  K 5t 2 cos t  2t 3 sin t 

d
dt
  
 P  Q   20t 3   t sin t  cos t  I   2t cos t  sin t   75t 2 J 

  
  5  t 2 sin t  2sin t cos t  2 t 3 cos t  sin t3t 2  K 
 
  20t 3  t sin t  cos t  I   2t cos t  75t 2  2sin t  J

 t  2t 2 cos t  t sin t  10 cos t  K . Ans.
dU dV d
Q.No.5.: If  W  U and  W  V , prove that  U  V   W   U  V  .
dt dt dt
d dV dU
Sol.: Since U  V  U    V
dt dt dt
dV dU
Given  WV ,  WU
dt dt
d
Then U  V  U W  V  W  U V
dt
Now using the formulae
 A  B   C   A.C B   B.C  A
A   B  C    A.C  B   A.B  C   U.V  W   U.W  V    W.V  U   U.W  W 
  W.V  U   U.W  V
d
 U  V  W U  V
dt
Hence this proved the result.
      2
Q.No.6.: If A  x 2 yz I  2xz 3 J  xz 2 K and B  2z I  y J  x 2 K , find  A  B
xy
at 1, 0,  2 
     
Sol.: Given A  x 2 yz I  2xz 3 J  xz 2 K , B  2z I  y J  x 2 K .
  
I J K
  
 A  B   x yz 2xz3
2
xz 2   2x 3z 3  xyz 2  I    x 4 yz  2xz 3  J   x 2 y 2 z  4xz 4  K
2z y x 2
   
x
    
 A  B   6x 2 z3  yz 2 I 4x 3 yz  2z3 J  2xy2 z  4z 4 K 
2   
 A  B   z 2 I  4x 3z J  4xyz K
xy
At 1, 0,  2  , we get
2
 A  B     2  I  4 1 2  J  4 1 0  1 K  4 I  8 J  4  I  2 J  . Ans.
      
2
xy  
Problem on angle between the tangents:

  
Q.No.7.: Find the angle between the tangents to the curve R  t 2 I  2t J  t 3 K at the
point t  1 .
Sol.: Let T1 , T2 be two tangents at t = +1 and t  1 are respectively.
To find: Angle between the tangents T1 and T2 .
Since we know T1. T2  T1 . T2 cos  .
i.e. we have to find: 

  
Now given vector equation of the curve is R  t 2 I  2t J  t 3 K .
dR   
Then the tangent at any point t is given by  2t I  2 J  3t 2 K .
dt
 The tangents T1 , T2 at t = +1 and t  1 are respectively, given by
  
T1  2 I  2 J  3 K  T1  17.
  
T2  2 I  2 J  3 K  T2  17.
Then the required  is given by the relation
T1. T2  T1 . T2 cos   2  2   2.2   3 3  17 17 cos 
 9 
i. e. 9  17 17 cos    cos 1   . Ans.
 17 
Problems for evaluating unit tangent vector:
Q.No.8.: Find the unit tangent vector at any point on the curve x  t 2  2 ,
y  4t  5 , z  2t 2  6t , where t is any variable.

Also determine the unit tangent vector at any point t = 2.
  
Sol.: The vector equation of curve is R  x I  y J  z K
  
   
 t 2  2 I   4t  5  J  2t 2  6t K .

To find: Unit tangent vector T .
dR

Since unit tangent vector T  dt .
dR
dt
dR   
   2t  I   4  J   4t  6  K
dt
dR
and  4t 2  16  16t 2  36  48t  20t 2  48t  52  2 5t 2  12t  13
dt
dR   

Thus T  dt 
1    

. 2t I  4 J   4t  6  K  
t I  2 J   2t  3  K
. Ans
dR 2 5t 2  12t  13   5t 2  12t  13
dt
2nd Part:
To find: The unit tangent vector at any point t = 2.
At point t = 2, we get
dR   
 2 I  2 J  K
T  dt  , Ans.
dR 3
dt
which is the required unit tangent vector at any point t = 2.
  
Q.No.9.: If R   a cos t  I   a sin t  J   at tan   K , find the value of
dR d 2 R  dR d 2 R d 3R   dR  d 2 R d 3 R  
(i)  (ii)  , 2 , 3  or  .  2  3  .
dt dt 2  dt dt dt   dt  dt dt  
Also find the unit tangent vector at any point t of the curve.
  
Sol.: Given R   a cos t  I   a sin t  J   at tan   K .
dR   
   a sin t  I   a cos t  J   a tan   K
dt
dR
  a 2 sin 2 t  a 2 cos 2 t  a 2 tan 2   a 1  tan 2   a sec  .
dt
d2R  
Also 2
  a cos t  I   a sin t  J .
dt
dR d 2 R   
   
 
(i)  2   a sin t  I   a cos t  J     cos t  I   a sin t  J   a tan  K
dt dt    
  
I J K
 a sin t a cos t a tan 
a cos t a sin t 0
  
       
 a 2 tan  sin t I  a 2 cos t tan  J  a 2 K  a 4 tan 2   1  a 2 sec  .
d 3R  
(ii)   a sin t  I   a cos t  J .
dt 3
 dR d 2 R d 3R  dR  d 2 R d 3R 
 , 2 , 3   .  
 dt dt dt  dt  dt 2 dt 3 
   

 I J K 
d R d R 
2 3   
Now  2  3    acost a sin t 0    0  I   0  J  a 2 K
 dt dt   
 a sin t a cos t 0 
 
Putting the values, we get
dR  d 2 R d 3 R     
    

.  2  3    a sin t  I   a cos t  J   a tan   K  .  0  I   0  J  a 2 K   a 3 tan  .
dt  dt dt     
dR
3rd Part: Tangent vector at any point of curve is =
dt
  
 a sin t  I   a cos t  J   a tan   K .
dR
1    

 Unit tangent vector is  dt     a sin t  I   a cos t  J   a tan   K 
dR a sec  
dt
  
   sin t.cos   I   cos t.cos   J   sin   K
This is the required unit tangent vector at any point of the curve.
Problems on curvature and torsion:
Q.No.10.: Find the curvature and torsion of the curve x  a cos t, y  asint, z  bt .
Sol.: z-axis
P
y-axis
O
*
P0(t=0)
x-axis
This curve is drawn on a circular cylinder cutting its generators at a constant angle and is
known as circular helix.
  
The vector equation of the curve is R  a cos t I  a sin t J  bt K .
dR   
  a sin t I  a cos t J  b K .
dt
 
dT dB
To find: (i) k  curvature   (ii)  (torsion)  .
ds ds
Consequently, we have to evaluate:


 dT dR
d T dt  dR dt t dR
(i)  , T  , s dt
ds ds ds ds 0 dt
dt dt
 
dB  dT
dB    d T  
(ii)  dt , B  T N ,  dt  k N  N  ?.
ds ds ds ds
dt dt
Its arc length from P0 (t  0) to any point P(t) is given by
dR ds
a  a 
t
s dt  2
 b2 t   2
 b2 .
0 dt dt
dR   
dR

dt a sin t I  a cos t J  b K
Then T    .
ds ds a 2  b2  
dt

 d T a  cos t I  sin t J 
 
d T dt  
  

    2   kN  N    cos t I  sin t J .
ds ds a b 2
 
dt

dT a
Thus k  curvature    2 .
ds a  b2
    
   a sin
 t I  a cos t J  b K      cos t I  sin t J  
 
Also B  T N    
   
 a 2
 b 2
  
   

 b sin t I  b cos t J  a K 
 
a 2
 b2 

 dB
dB b   
 
  

  dt  2  cos t I  sin t J    N    cos t I  sin t J 
ds ds a b 
2
  
dt
b
Hence   . Ans.
a  b2
2
  
Q.No.11.: A circular helix is given by the equation R (t)   2cos t  I   2sin t  J  K . Find
the curvature and torsion of the curve at any point and show that they are
constant.
  
Sol.: The vector equation of circular helix is R (t)   2cos t  I   2sin t  J  K
dR  
   2sin t  I   2cos t  J
dt
ds dR
  4sin 2 t  4 cos 2 t  2
dt dt
dR    
dR dt  2sin t  I  2 cos t J  sin t I  cos J

 The unit tangent vector = T    
ds ds 2 1
dt

dT  
Now   cos t I  sin t J
dt
   
 dT   dT  cos t I  sin t J
d T dt  cos t I  sin t J   
    N  dt  2   cos t I  sin t J
ds ds 2 1
dT
dt 2
dt

dT 1
k  , which is constant. (i)
ds 2
  
I J K
   1   
 
2 

B  T N   sin t cos t 0  I (0)  (0) J  sin 2 t  cos 2 t K   K


 cos t  sin t 0

dB
 0
dt

dB 
dB 0
Hence    dt   0 , which is constant. (ii)
ds ds 2
dt
From (i) and (ii), we get

Curvature k and Torsion  are constant.
Hence this proves the result.
Remarks: Another way to calculate curvature and torsion

dR d 2 R  dR d 2 R  d 3 R
   .
dt dt 2  dt dt 2  dt 3
Curvature k  3
, Torsion   2
.
dR dR d 2 R

dt dt dt 2
  
Q.No.12.: Show that the curve R  a  3t  t 3  I   3at 2  J  a  3t  t 3  K , the curvature
equals torsion.
  
Sol.: The vector equation of the curve is R  a  3t  t 3  I   3at 2  J  a  3t  t 3  K
dR   

dt
 
 3a 1  t 2 I   6at  J  3a 1  t 2 K  
d2R   
  6at I  6a J  6at K
dt 2
d3R  
 6a I  6a K
dt 3
  
I J K
dR d 2 R    

Now 
dt dt 2
 3a 1  t 2   
6at 3a 1  t 2  18a 2  t 2  1 I  2t J  1  t 2 K 
 
   
6at 6a 6at
dR d 2 R
  2  18a 2
dt dt
t 2
 2

 1   2t   1  t 2  18a 2  t 4
 1  2t 2  4t 2  1  t 2  2t 2 
  t   
2
 18a 2 2 t 4  1  2t 2  18 2 a 2 2
1  18 2a 2 t 2  1
dR
1  t  2 2
 
2
And  3a  4t 2  1  t 2  3a 1  t 4  2t 2  4t 2  1  t 4  2t 2
dt
  t   
2
 3a 2 t 4  2t 2  1  3 2 a 2
1  3 2 a 1 t2
 dR d 2 R  d 3 R    
   

  
 2  . 3  18a 2  t 2  1 I  2t J  1  t 2 K  .  6a I  6a K 
   
 
 dt dt  dt

 18a 2 .6a 1  t 2  1  t 2  216a 3 
dR d 2 R

dt dt 2 18 2 a 2 (1  t 2 )
Since we know that curvature k  
 
3 3
dR 54 2 a 3 1  t 2
dt
1
Curvature k  (i)
 
2
3a 1  t 2
 dR d 2 R  d 3R
  .
 dt dt 2  dt 3 216a 3
Also   
 
2 2
dR d 2 R 18.18.2a 4 1  t 2
 2
dt dt
1
Torsion   (ii)
 
2
3a 1  t 2
From (i) and (ii), we have

k
This shows that curvature equals torsion
 
Q.No.13.: Find the curvature of the (i) ellipse R (t)  a cos t I  b sin t J
 
(ii) Parabola R (t)  2t I  t 2 J at the point t = 1.
 
Sol.: (i) The vector equation of the ellipse is R (t)  a cos t I  b sin t J
dR  
  a sin t I  b cos t J
dt
ds dR
 
1/2
Also   a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t
dt dt
dR dR  
 dR dt dt a sin t I  b cos t J
T   
ds ds ds a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t
dt dt
 2 2 2 
 
 
 a sin t  b 2
cos t   a cos t I  b sin t J  
   
   
 1 2 2 
   
1/2

   a sin t I  b cos t J  a sin t  b 2 cos 2 t 2a 2 sin t cos t  2b 2 cos t sin t 
dT    2 

dt 
a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t 
 2 2 1/ 2   
 
 2


 a sin t  b cos t  a cos t I  b sin t J 
2


 
   
 
  a sin t I  b cos t J  

dT 
  
2
  
 a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t 1/2 2a 2 sin t cos t  2b 2 cos t sin t
 

 
dt 
a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t 
 2 2   
 
 a sin t 
 b 2
cos 2
t 

 a cos t I  bsin t J 


 
   
 

dT  
 

  a sin t I  b cos t J  a 2 sin t cos t  b 2 cos t sin t  
  
 
3/2
dt a sin t  b 2 cos2 t
2 2
  
d T ab 2 cos t I  a 2 b sin t J
 
 
3/2
dt a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t

  dT
dT d T dt
k , where 
ds ds ds
dt
  
   

dT

a 2
    

sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t  a cos t I  b sin t J    a sin t I  b cos t J  a 2 sin 2t  b 2 sin 2t 
 
a 
2
ds 2
sin 2 t  b 2 cos 2 t

 dT  
dT  ab 2
cos t I  a 2
b sin t J
 dt  .
ds
 a 2 sin 2 t  b 2 cos2 t 
4/2
ds
dt
a 2 b 2  b 2 cos 2 t  a 2 sin 2 t 

dT ab
k   . Ans.
 a sin t  b cos t   a sin t  b2 cos2 t 
4 3/2
ds 2 2 2 2 2 2
 
(ii) The vector equation of parabola is R (t)  2t I  t 2 J
dR  
  2 I  2t J
dt
ds dR
Now   4  4t 2  2 1  t 2
dt dt
dR dR  
 dR dt dt 2 I  2t J
T   
ds ds dR 2 1  t 2
dt dt
      1
  2t   2     
  
  
1/ 2 1/2

1  t 2  J    I t J  1 t2  1  t  J    I t J  t 1  t
2

dT      2    
   
dt 1 t2 1 t 2
 
      
 1  t 2
J   I  t J  t  t I  J 
     
 
   
2 3/2
3/2
1 t 2
1 t
 

dT t I J

dT
 dt  
 
1 t2
t I J 


t2 1
ds 2 1  t 2 2 1  t 2  2 1  t 2 
2 2
ds
dt

dT 2 2 1
Put t = 1, we get    . Ans.
ds 2 1  1 2
2 4 4 2

dT 1
k   . Ans.
ds 4 2
Problems on equations of the tangent line, the osculating plane and binormal:
Q.No.14.: Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve x  a cos  , y  a sin  ,

z  a tan  at   .
4
  
Sol.: The vector equation of the curve is R  a cos  I  a sin  J  a tan  K
dR   
 a sin  I  a cos  J  a tan  K
d
ds dR
   
1/2 1/2
  a 2 sin 2   a 2 cos 2   a 2 tan 2   a 2 1  tan 2    a sec 
d d
dR   
 dR d a sin  I  a cos  J  a tan  K
T  
ds ds a sec 
d
 a a a
At   , x , y , z tan 
4 2 2 4
 1  1  tan  
Now T  I J K
2 sec  2 sec  sec 
1 1 tan
D. C. of tangent line are  , , 
2 sec  2 sec  sec
 a a a 
and it passes through the point  , , tan   .
 2 2 4 
Then the equation of the tangent line is
a a a
x y z  tan 
 2  2  4
1 1 tan 
sec  sec 
2 2 sec 
a
z tan 
 a   a  4
  x   y  . Ans.
 2  2 2 tan 
Q.No.15.: Find the equation of the osculating plane and binormal to the curve
t t
(i) x  2 cosh   , y  2sinh   , z  2t at t = 0.
2 2
(ii) x  e t cos t , y  e t sin t , z  e t at t = 0.
 t   t  
Sol.: (i) The vector equation of the curve is R  2 cosh   I  2sinh   J  2t K
2 2
dR d   t   t   
 t  1    t  1   
  2 cosh   I  2sinh   J  2t K   2sinh     I  2 cosh     J  2 K
dt dt  2 2   2  2   2  2 
 t   t  
 sinh   I  cosh   J  2 K
2 2
ds dR t t
   sinh 2  cosh 2  4
dt dt 2 2
dR sinh  t  I  cosh  t  J  2 K

 dR    
T  dt  2 2
ds ds t t
sinh 2  cosh 2  4
dt 2 2
 2 t 2 t
  t  1    t  1      t   t   
 sinh  cosh  4   cosh    I  sinh    J    sinh   I  cosh   J  2 K  
 2 2   2  2   2  2    2 2 
 1/2 
 1 2 t 2 t   t  t  1  t t  1  
 .  sinh  cosh  4  2sinh   cosh      2 cosh sinh   
d T  2 2 2   2  2  2  2 2  2   
 2
dt  
2 t 2 t
 sinh  cosh  4 
 2 2 
 2 t 2 t   t   t 1   t   t   
 sinh  cosh  4   cosh   I  sinh   J    sinh   I  cosh   J  2 K  

 2 2  2 2 2  2 2 
 1
1/ 2 

t t   t t

.  sinh 2 cosh 2  4   2sinh cosh 
 2 2 2   2 2 

 2 t 2 t 
 2 2 
 2 t 2 t   t   t 1   t   t   
 sinh  cosh  4   cosh   I  sinh   J    sinh   I  cosh   J  2 K  
 2 2  2 2 2  2 2 
  t t 
 . sinh cosh  
 2 2
 3/2

 2 t 2 t 
 2 2 
 
J 2 K
At t = 0, we have T 
5
 2 t 2 t   t   t  
 sinh  cosh  4   cosh   I  sinh   J  
 2 2  2 2  
   t 
t     t  t  
 dT    sinh   I  cosh   J  2 K  .  sinh   .cosh    
d T dt   2 2   2  2   
  
ds ds  2 t 2 t 
2
dt  sinh  cosh  4 
 2 2 
At time t =0, we have

   dT 
d T 5 I 0 5 I   I 
  I.  N  dt   I
 
2
ds 5 5 ds 1
dt
  
I J K
 
  J 2 K 

1 2  
 2    1   2   1  
B  T N  I  0  I 0  J   K    J  K
5 5 5  5  5  5  5
1 0 0
 
2 J K
B  . Ans.
5
which is required equation of binormal. Since we know that any vector r in the plane
containing two vectors a and b is given by r  a  b , where ,  are arbitrary
constants. Thus
   q  

R  p N q T  p I  J 2 K 
5 
   q
R  p I  q J  2q K , where q  ,
5
which is the required equation of osculating plane.
(ii): Given x  e t cos t , y  e t sin t , z  e t .
   

 R  e t  cos t I  sin t J  K 
 
dR   
  e t  cos t  sin t  I  e t  cos t  sin t  J  e t K
dt
ds dR

dt

dt

 e t 2 cos 2 t  sin 2 t  1  3 e t 
dR   
 dR dt  cos t  sin t  I   cos t  sin t  J  K
T  
ds ds 3
dt
  
d T   sin t  cos t  I   cos t  sin t  J
 
dt 3

 dT  
d T dt   sin t  cos t  I   cos t  sin t  J
 .
ds ds 3e t
dt
At t = 0, we get

 dT  
d T dt  I J
  .
ds ds 3
dt
  
dT  I J  

ds 3  I J
N    .
dT 1  1 2
ds 3
    
I J K   I J
Thus, at t = 0, we get T  and N 
3 2
  
I J K
1 1 
 0  1 I   1  0  J  1  1 K 
     
B  T N  1 1 1  
6 6 
1 1 0
  
  I J 2 K
B . Ans.
6
      
    I  J  K   q '   I J  .
Also equation of plane through T and N is R  p ' T q ' N  p ' 
 3   2 
   
   
R   p  q  I  p  q  J  p K .
which is the required equation of osculating plane.
*** *** *** *** ***

*** *** ***
***
2nd Topic
Vector Calculus
Velocity and Acceleration,
Tangential and normal acceleration,
Relative velocity and acceleration
Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
Velocity:
z-axis
Q
P0(t0)
R
s P(t)
s
R t  X
Tangent
Rt  t 
y-axis
x-axis
Vector Calculus: Velocity and Acceleration Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur 2
Let the position of a particle P at time t (scalar variable) on a path C be R(t).

At time t  t , let the particle be at Q, then R  Rt  t   R( t ) .
R
Now is directed along PQ.
t
As Q  P along C, the line PQ becomes the tangent at P to C.
R dR
 Lt  V
 t  0 t dt
is the tangent vector of C at P which is the velocity (vector) V of the motion and its
ds
magnitude is the speed v  , where s is the arc length of P from a fixed point
dt
P0 (s  0) on C.
Acceleration:
The derivative of the velocity vector V(t) is called the acceleration (vector) A(t),
which is given by
V dV d 2 R
At   Lim   2 .
t  0 t dt dt
Tangential and normal acceleration:
It is important to note that the magnitude of acceleration is not always the rate of
change of V because A(t) is not always tangential to the path C. In fact
dR dR ds dR
V t    . , where is a unit tangent vector to C.
dt ds dt ds
2
dV d  ds dR  d 2s dR  ds  d 2 R
A t     .   2.   .
dt dt  dt ds  dt ds  dt  ds 2
dR d 2 R d2R dR
Now since . 0  is perpendicular to .
dt dt 2 dt 2
dt
Hence the acceleration A(t) is comprised of
d 2s dR
(i) The tangent component . , called the tangent acceleration.
dt 2 ds
2 2
 ds  d R
(ii) The normal component   . 2 , called the normal acceleration.
 dt  ds
Remark:
ds
The acceleration is the time rate change of V  , if and only if the normal
dt
acceleration is zero, for then
d 2s dR d 2s
A  . 
dt 2 ds dt 2
Relative velocity and acceleration:

P1
R1(t) R Curve C1
O
R2(t)
P2
Curve C2
Let two particles P1 and P2 moving along the curves C1 and C2 have position

vectors R1 and R 2 at time t, respectively so that R  P1 P 2  R 2  R1.
dR dR 2 dR1
  .
dt dt dt
This defines the relative velocity (vector) of P2 w. r. t. P1 and states that the velocity
(vector) of P2 relative to P1  velocity (vector) of P2  velocity (vector) of P1

Again differentiating, we have
d 2R d 2R 2 d 2R1
 
dt 2 dt 2 dt 2
i. e., acceleration (vector) of P2 relative to P1  acceleration (vector) of P2  acceleration
(vector) of P1
Remarks:
 V
Component of A along the tangent  A. V  A. .
V
Component of A along the normal  A  Re solved part of A along the tangent
  V
 A   A. V  .
 V
Now let us solve few problems:
Problems related with radial and transverse components of acceleration:
Q.No.1.: Find the radial and transverse acceleration of a particle moving in a plane
curve.
Sol.: At any time t, let the position vector of the moving particle P ( r , ) be R.
  
Then R  r R  r(cos  I  sin  J ) .
y-axis

U 
V
P(r,  )

R  rR
 x-axis
O

dR dr  dR
 Its velocity V   R r . (i)
dt dt dt

   dR   d
Since R  (cos  I  sin  J ) then  ( sin  I  cos  J )
dt dt

d R d
and  .
dt dt
 
dR  dR 
Also .R  0  R,
dt dt

 d R d 
Let U is a unit vector  R , then  U.
dt dt
dr  d 
 (i) becomes V  R r U .
dt dt
dr d
Thus, the radial and transverse components of the velocity are and r .
dt dt
     
dV  d 2r  dr d R   dr d  d 2  d d U 
Also A   R  U r 2 U r 
dt  dt 2 dt dt   dt dt dt dt dt 
   
  
 d 2r  d  2    dr d d 2     
  2  r   R   2  r 2 U  U   sin  I  sin  J  d U   d R 
 dt  dt    dt dt dt   dt dt 

 
2
d 2 r  d 
Thus, the radial component of acceleration  r  .
dt 2  dt 
dr d d 2
And, the transverse component of acceleration is  2 r 2 .
dt dt dt
Problem related with tangential and normal components of acceleration:
Q.No.2.: Find the tangential and normal acceleration of a point moving in plane curve.
Sol.: Since we know that the velocity of a point moving in a plane curve is given by

V  vT
 
dV d    dT d  d T ds d 
A   v T   v.  v T  v.  vT.
dt dt   dt dt ds dt dt

dT  ds
Now, by Franet’s formula  k N and also we know that v  , we get
ds dt
 d  ds  
 A  v.k N v   T
dt  dt 
 d 2s  d 2s  v 2   1 
 A  v 2k N  T  2 T N.  k   , where   radius of curvature. 
dt 2 dt   
d 2s
Thus, the tangential component of A (Tangential acceleration)  .
dt 2
v2
And normal component of A (Normal acceleration)  .

Problems related with velocity and acceleration:
Q.No.3.: A particle moves along a curve x  e  t , y  2 cos 3t , z  2 sin 3t , where t is

the time variable. Determine its velocity and acceleration vectors and also the
magnitude of velocity and acceleration at t = 0.
  
Sol.: The vector equation of the curve is R t   e  t I  2 cos 3t J  2 sin 3t K .
   
 Velocity vector V t  
d
R t   d e t I  2 cos 3t J  2 sin 3t K 
dt dt  
  
 e  t I  6 sin 3t J  6 cos 3t K . Ans.
Magnitude of velocity vector   e    6 sin 3t 

t 2 2
 6 cos 3t 2
 e  2 t  36 sin 2 3t  36 cos 2 3t
 
 e  2 t  36 sin 2 3t  cos2 3t  e 2 t  36 .
At time t = 0 , we get V  1  36  37 . Ans.
   
Acceleration vector A t  
d
V t   d  e t I  6 sin 3t J  6 cos 3t K 
dt dt  
  
 e  t I  18 cos 3t J  18 sin 3t K . Ans.
Magnitude of acceleration  e    18 cos 3t 

t 2 2
  18 sin 3t 2
 e  2 t  324 cos 2 3t  324 sin 2 3t
 
 e  2 t  324 cos2 3t  sin 2 3t  e 2 t  324 .
At t = 0 , A  1  324  325 . Ans.

Q.No.4.: A particle moves on the curve x  2t 2 , y  t 2  4t , z  3t  5 , where t is the

time. Find the components of velocity and acceleration at t = 1 in the direction
  
I 3J 2 K .
 
  
Sol.: The vector equation of the curve is R  2t 2 I  t 2  4t J  3t  5K .
dR   
V   4t I  2 t  4  J  3 K .
dt
dR   
At time t = 1, we get V   4 I  2 J 3K .
dt
   D
 Component of velocity V at time t =1 in the direction I  3 J  2 K  D (say)  V.
D
  
  I  3 J  2 K 4  6  6 16 8
 4 I  2 J 3K .   14  14 . Ans.
1 9  4 14 14 7
dV d       
Now A   4t I  2t  4 J  3 K   4 I  2 J  0 K .
dt dt  
  
 I  3 J  2 K 
     
Components of A along I  3 J  2 K  A.
D
 4 I 2 J 0 K .    46
D 14 14
 2  2 14  14
   . Ans.
14 14 7
  
Q.No.5.:The position vector of a particle at time t is R  cost  1 I  sinh t  1 J  at 3 K .
Find the condition imposed on ‘a’ by requiring that at time t = 1, the
acceleration is normal to position vector.
Sol.: The position vector of a particle at time t is
  
R  cost  1 I  sinh t  1 J  at 3 K .
dR d    
Velocity vector V   cost  1 I  sinh t  1 J  at 3 K 
dt dt  
  
  sin t  1 I  cosht  1 J  3at 2 K .
dV d    
Acceleration vector A    sin t  1 I  cosht  1 J  3at 2 K 
dt dt  
  
=  cost  1 I  sinh t  1 J  6at K .
But the given condition is that the acceleration is normal to the position vector i.e.
A.R  0
   

  cost  1 I  sinh t  1 J  6at K . cost  1I  sinht  1J  at 3K = 0 
 
  cos2 t  1  sinh 2 t  1  6a 2 t 4  0 .
At time t = 0, we get
1
 1  0  6a 2  0  6a 2  1  a   . Ans.
6
  

Q.No.6.: A particle moves along the curve R  t 3  4t I  t 2  4t J  8t 2  3t 3 K ,  

 
where t denotes time. Find magnitudes of acceleration along the tangent and
normal at time t = 2.
     
  
Sol.: The vector equation of the curve is R  t 3  4t I  t 2  4t J  8t 2  3t 3 K .
   
dR   
Velocity  3t 2  4 I  2t  4  J  16t  9t 2 K
dt
d 2R   
and acceleration  6t I  2 J  16  18t K .
dt 2
     
 At time t = 2, V  8 I  8 J  4 K and acceleration A  12 I  2 J  20 K .
Since, the velocity is along the tangent to the curve, therefore the component of A along
  
 V      8 I  8 J 4 K
the tangent  A. V  A.  12 I  2 J  20 K .
V   64  64  16
12  8  2  8   20    4 
  16 .
12
Now the component of A along the normal  A  Re solved part of A along the tangent
  
  V    8 I 8 J 4 K
 A   A. V   12 I  2 J  20 K  16.
 V 12
      
36 I  6 J  60 K  4. 8 I  8 J  4 K 
1   
    1 4 I  26 J  44 K  2 73 . Ans.
3 3 3
  
Q.No.7.: The position vector of a moving particle at time t is R  t 2 I  t 3 J  t 4 K .
Find the tangential and normal components of its acceleration at time t.
  
Sol.: The vector equation of the curve is R  t 2 I  t 3 J  t 4 K .
dR   
V   2t I  3t 2 J  4t 3 K .
dt
  
At time t = 1, we get V  2 I  3 J  4 K . (i)
dV   
Also A   2 I  6 t J  12 t 2 K .
dt
  
At t = 1, we have A  2 I  6 J  12 K . (ii)

 The component A along the tangent  A V
  
V    2 I  3J 4 K 70
 A.  2 I  6 J  12 K .  . Ans.
V 4  9  16 29
Now the components of A along normal

   V 
 A  Re solved part of A along the tangent  A   A . V  . 
  V
     
   70 2 I  3 J  4 K    140 I  210 J  280 K
 2 I  6 J  12 K   2 I  6 J  12 K 
29 29 29
1      
 58 I  174 J  348 K  140 I  210 J  280 K
29
1    1 1 436
  82 I  36 J  68 K  12644  . 436  . Ans.
29 29 29 29
70
(i) Tangent component of acceleration  .
29
436
(ii) The normal component of acceleration .
29
Q.No.8.: A particle moves so that its position vector is given by R  I cos t  J sin t .
Show that the velocity V of the particle is perpendicular to R and R  V is a
constant vector.
Sol.: (i) The position vector of a particle is given by
 
R  cos t I  sin t J . (i)
dR d     
 Velocity V    cos t I  sin t J    cos t I   sin t J
dt dt  
  
   sin t I  cos t J  . (ii)
 
   
R.V  cos t I  sin t J .   sin t I   cos t J   sin t cos t  sin t cos t  0
 
 R  V  Velocity V of the particle is perpendicular to R.
  
I J K
 
  
(ii) R  V  cos t sin t 0  0  0 I  0  0 J   cos2 t   sin 2 t K
  sin t  cos t 0
 
 
  cos2 t  sin 2 t K   K .
Thus R  V is a constant vector.
Q.No.9.: A particle (position vector R) moving in a circle with constant angular velocity
 , show by vector method, acceleration is equal to  2 R .

Sol.: Let the position vector of a particle in a circle is.

 
R  I cos t  J sin t
dR d     
V   cos t I  sin t J    cos t I   sin t J ,
dt dt  
dV d 2R d   
and acceleration A   2     sin t I   cos t J 
dt dt dt  
  
 2  cos t I  sin t J   2 R
 
 A  2 R .
Q.No.10.: A particle moves along a catenary s  c tan  . The direction of acceleration at
any point makes equal angels with the tangent and normal to the path at that
point. If the speed at the vertex   0 be v 0 , show that the magnitude of
velocity and acceleration at any point are given by v 0e and
2 2 2
v0 e cos 2  respectively.
c
ds d
Sol.: s  c tan  , v   c sec 2 
dt dt
2 2
dv  d  2 d 
aT   c 2 sec2  tan    c sec  2
dt  dt  dt
v2
aN  ,  = radius of curvature

  c sec2 
2
 d 
c2 sec4   2
 dt  2  d 
 aN   c sec   
c sec2   dt 
a T  a N {given}
2
2 2
2 2  d  2 d  2  d 
 c sec  tan    c sec  2  c sec  
 dt  dt  dt 
2 2 2
 d   d    d 
2
 d  d 2
 2 tan    2      1  2 tan     2
 dt   dt   dt   dt  dt
d d 2 dP dP
Put P 2 P  1  2 tan  P 2  P
dt dt d d
dP dP
 1  2 tan  d    1  2 tan  d  
P P
   2n sec   c  nP  P  e  2n sec   c (i)

ds d
v  c sec 2 
dt dt
d d v 0  d 
at   0  v0  c sec 2 0
dt

dt

c
.  P  dt 
 
Putting in (i), we get
v0 v
  e c  c  n 0
c c
 v  c sec2 .e  2n sec   nv 0 / c
e
 v  c sec2   2n sec 
 e n v 0 / c
e
e v0
 v  c sec2   2
  v 0e
sec c
aT  a N
 A  aT2  a N2
v2 v 0 2e 2 v 0 2e 2
aN   2
 cos 2 
 c sec  c
2 2 2
 A  a T 2  a N 2  2a N 2  a N 2  v 0 e cos 2  . Ans.
c
Problems related with actual velocity/ relative velocity:
Q.No.11.: A person going east wards with a velocity of 4 kmph, finds that the wind
appears to blow directly from the north. He doubles his speed and wind
seems to come from north-east. Find the actual velocity of the wind.
   
Sol.: Let the actual velocity of the wind be x I  y J , where I , J represent velocities of
1 kmph towards the east and north respectively.

As the person is going east wards with a velocity of 4 kmph, his actual velocity is 4 I .
   
Then the velocity of the wind relative to the man is  x I  y J   4 I , which is parallel to
 
 J , as it appears to blow from the north.
x 4 y0 x4 y
      1 x  4   0  x  4.
0 1 0 1
Hence x = 4. (i)

When the velocity of the person becomes 8 I , the velocity of the wind relative to
     
man is  x I  y J   8 I , but this is parallel to   I  J  .
   
x 8 y 0 4 8 y
     y  4 .
1 1 1 1
  
Hence, the actual velocity of the wind is 4  I  J  .
 
i.e. 4 2 kmph towards the south east.

Q.No.12.: A person traveling towards the north-east with a velocity of 6 kmph, finds that
the wind appears to blow from the north but when he doubles his speed it
seems to come from a direction inclined at an angle tan 1 2 to the north of
east. Show that the actual velocity of the wind is 3 2 kmph towards the east.
 
Sol.: 1st case: Let the actual velocity of the wind be Vw  x I  y J ,
 
where I , J represents velocities of 1 kmph towards the east and north respectively.
As the person traveling towards the north-east with a velocity of 6 kmph, his actual
velocity is
 
Vn  6 cos 45 I  6 sin 45 J .
Then, the velocity of the wind relative to person is Vw  Vp .
 6   6 
Vw p  Vw  Vp   x   I  y  J .
 2  2

It is parallel to  J , as it appear to blow from the north.
6 6
x y
 2  2.
0 1
6 6
 x  0x  . (i)
2 2
2nd case: When he double his speed then
  12  12 
Vp  12 cos 45 I  12 sin 45 J  I J.
2 2
 The velocity of the wind relative to the person is Vw  Vp
 12    12  
Vw p  Vw  Vp   x   I  y  J .
 2  2
 
But this is parallel to  I  2 J
12 12
x y
 2  2  2 x  24  y  12  2 x  y   12  24
1 2 2 2 2 2
1
 2x  y  12
2
6 2  6 12
But x     y  0.
2 2 2
6 
Hence, the actual velocity of the wind is Vw  I.
2
2
 6 
 Vw     18  3 2 kmph toward the East.
 2
Hence, this proves the result.
 
Q.No.13.: The velocity of a boat relative to water is represented by 3 I  4 J and that of
 
water relative to earth is I  3 J . What is the velocity of the boat relative to the
 
earth if I and J represent one km an hour east and north respectively.
 
Sol.: Given the velocity of a boat relative to water = 3 I  4 J .
 
And velocity of water relative to earth = I  3 J .
 
Let velocity of boat  x1 I  y1 J .
 
Let velocity of water  x 2 I  y 2 J .
 
Let velocity of earth  x 3 I  y3 J .
     
The velocity of a boat relative to water  x1 I  y1 J  x 2 I  y 2 J  3 I  4 J . (i)
     
Velocity of water relative to earth  x 2 I  y 2 J  x 3 I  y3 J = I  3 J . (ii)
On adding (i) and (ii), we get
     
 x1 I  y1 J  x 3 I  y3 J  4 I  J . (iii)
 
 The velocity of a boat relative to earth = 4 I  J .
Now its magnitude  4 2  12  17 mph

1
and tan    0.25    tan 1 0.25 .
4
Thus the velocity of boat relative to earth is 17 mph in the direction tan 10.25 north
to east.
Q.No.14.: A vessel A is sailing with a velocity of 11 knots/hour in the direction of
South East and a second vessel B is sailing with a velocity of 13 knots/hour in
a direction of 30 East of North. Find the velocity of A relative to B.
Sol.: We have
 
V1  11cos 45 I  11sin 45 J .
 
V2  13 cos 60 I  13sin 60 J .
 Relative velocity will be V21  V1  V2
 11  11    13  13 3    11 13    11 13 3  
 V21   I J    I J      I    J
 2 2   2 2   2 2   2 2 

   
 7.78  6.5 I  7.78  11.26 J  1.28 I  19.04 J .
V21  1.282  19.042  364.16  19.08 knots per hour
To find the direction, we have

 19.028 
tan        86.18 South of East.
 1.27 
*** *** *** *** ***
*** *** ***
***
3rd Topic
Vector Calculus
Scalar point function,
Vector point function,
Vector operator ‘del’,
Del applied to scalar point functions (Gradient) and
its Geometrical interpretation,
Directional derivative
Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
Scalar point function:

If to each point P  R  of a region E in space there corresponds a definite
scalar denoted by f  R  , then f  R  is called a scalar point function in E. The
region E so defined is called a scalar field.

The temperature at any instant, density of a body and potential due to
gravitational matter are all examples of scalar point functions.
Vector point function:
If to each point P R  of a region E in space there corresponds a definite
vector denoted by F(R), then it is called the vector point function in E. The
region E so defined is called a vector field.
The velocity of a moving fluid at any instant, the gravitational intensity
of force are examples of vector point functions.
Vector Calculus: Scalar and vector point functions, Gradient 2
Thus, if F (x, y, z) be a vector point function, then

dF F dx F dy F dz
  
dt x dt y dt z dt
F F F     
and dF  dx  dy  dz   dx  dy  dz F . (i)
x y z  x y z 
Vector operator del:

Definition: The operator on the right side of the equation (i)
           
i.e.  dx  dy  dz  is in the form of a scalar product of  I  J  K 
 x y z   x y z 
   
and  I dx  J dy  K dz  .
 
     
If  (read as del) be defined by the equation   I J K .
x y z
     
Then (i)  dF  .dR F , where R  x I  y J  z K , dR  I dx  J dy  K dz .
History of del operator: In vector calculus, del is a vector differential operator
represented by the nabla symbol: .
The name comes from the Greek word for a Hebrew harp, which had a similar shape.
The harp, the instrument after which the nabla symbol is named.
The symbol was first used by William Rowan Hamilton.
Del applied to scalar point functions: (Gradient)

Definition: The vector function f is defined as the gradient of the scalar point function
f and is written as grad f .
 f  f  f  f
Thus, grad f  f  I J K  I .
x y z x
Geometrical interpretation:

1. f  f N  f is normal to the surface f (x, y, z) = c.
f
2. f   magnitude of f is equal to the rate of change of f along this normal.
n
  
Consider the scalar point function f R  , where R  x I  y J  z K .
Draw a surface f (x, y, z) = c through any point PR  s.t. at each point on it, the function
f x, y, z  has the same value as at P.

This type of surface is called a level surface of the function f through P.
Examples: Equipotential or isothermal surfaces are examples of level surfaces.
Thus, if f x, y, z  represents potential at the point x, y, z  , the equipotential surface
f x, y, z  =c is a level surface.

 
N N
PR  R 
M
R  R R r n f  f  c
O 
R
P(R)
f x, y, z   c

1. f  f N  f is normal to the surface f (x, y, z) = c.
Let PR  R  be a point on a neighbouring level surface f  f  c , where the

function is f  f .
 f  f  f       f f f
Then f .R   I  J  K . I x  J y  K z   x  y  z  f .
 x y z    x y z
Now, if P lies on the same level surface as P, then  f  0

Now since f .R  f  f .R  0 .
This means that f is  to every R lying on this surface.
Thus f is normal to the surface f (x, y, z) =c.

Now, if N is unit vector normal to the surface f (x, y, z) =c, then we can write

f  f N .
 f is normal to the surface f (x, y, z) = c.

f
2. f   magnitude of f is equal to the rate of change of f along this normal.
n
Let the perpendicular distance PM between the surfaces through P and P is n .
f
Then the rate of change of f normal to the surface through P  .
n
f f R
Now  Lt  Lt f .  f  f .R
n  n  0 n  n  0 n

N .R  
 f Lt   f   f N 
n 0 n  

N . R cos 
r cos 
 f Lt  f Lt
n  0 n n  0 n
n  n 
 f Lt
n  0 n
 f  r  cos 
 
f
Hence, the magnitude of f  .
n
Thus the magnitude of f is equal to the rate of change of f along this normal.
Thus, grad (f) is a vector normal to the surface (f = constant) and has a magnitude equal
to the rate of change of f along the normal.
Directional derivative:

Definition: Let r denotes the length P P  and N is a unit vector in the direction of P P  .
f  f 
Then the limiting value of as r  0  i.e.  is known as directional derivative of
r  r 
f at P along the direction P P .
n n  n 
Now since r 
cos 
    cos   r 
N. N  
f f    f 
  Lim  Lim N . N 
r r 0 r n 0  n 
 f      f  
= N. N  N. f N  N.f .  f  and f N  f 
n  n 

Thus, directional derivative of f in the direction of N is the resolved part of f in the

direction N .
 f
Since f . N  f cos   f   f .
r
 f gives the maximum rate of change of f , and the magnitude of this maximum is
f .
Now let us solve some problems related to these topics:
Q.No.1.: Find the unit vector normal to the surface xy3z2  4 , at the point  1,  1, 2 .
Sol.: A vector normal to the given surface is  xy3z 2  

     
     
I xy3z 2  J xy3z 2  K xy3z 2
x y z
     
  
 I y3z 2  J 3xy 2z 2  K 2xy3z
  
 4 I  12 J  4 K at the point  1,  1, 2  .
  
f 
 4 I  12 J  4 K
Hence, the desired unit normal to the surface N  
f 16  144  16
1    
  I  3 J  K  . Ans.
11  
Q.No.2: Find a unit vector normal to the surface x 3  y3  3xyz  3 at the point
1, 2,  1 .
Sol.: A vector normal to the given surface is f , where f  x 3  y3  3xyz  3 .

 f  f  f
f  I J K
x y z
     
  3    
I x  y3  3xyz  3  J x 3  y3  3xyz  3  K x 3  y3  3xyz  3
x y z
   
  
 I 3x 2  3yz  J 3y 2  3xz  K 3xy 
  
Therefore, f at the point 1, 2,  1 is  3 I  9 J  6 K
 f
Since, we know that unit vector normal to the surface is N  .
f
Hence, the desired unit vector normal to the surface is

           
 f  3 I  9 J 6 K  3 I  9 J 6 K  3 I  9 J 6 K  I  3 J 2 K
N     . Ans.
f  32  92  62 126 3 14 14
Q.No.3: Find the directional derivatives of f x, y, z   xy2  yz3 at the point
  
2,  1, 1 in the direction of vector I  2 J  2 K .
Sol.: Given f x, y, z   xy2  yz3
 f  f  f 
Then f   I J K 
 x y y 
     
     
 I y 2  J 2xy  z3  K 3yz 2  I  3 J  3 K at the point 2,  1, 1 .
    N
 Directional derivative of f in the direction I  2 J  2 K  N  .f  .f
N
  
I  2 J 2 K    2
 . I  3 J  3 K   3 . Ans.
1 2
 22  22    3
Q.No.4: Find the directional derivative of   x 2 yz  4xz2 at the point 1,  2,  1 in

  
the direction of the vector 2 I  J  2 K .
     
Sol.: Here   I J K
x y z
I
  2
x
  
x yz  4xz 2  J
y
   
x 2 yz  4 xz 2  K
z

x 2 yz  4 xz 2  
     
  
 I 2 xyz  4z 2  J x 2 z  K x 2 y  8xz
  
 8 I  J  10 K at 1,  2,  1
  
Hence, the directional derivative of f in the direction of 2 I  J  2 K
 N
 N  .f  .f
N
  
 N      2 I J 2 K 16  1  20 37 1
 . N'  .   8 I  J  10 K .    12 . Ans.
N   4 1 4 9 3 3
Q.No.5: What is the directional derivative of   xy2  yz3 at the point 2,  1, 1 in
the direction of normal the surface x log z  y2  4 at  1, 2, 1 ?
Sol.: The directional derivative of   xy2  yz3 in the direction of normal the
 f
surface f  x log z  y 2  4  0 is . N'  . ,
f

where N' is the unit vector normal to the surface f.
Given   xy2  yz3

     
Then   I J K
x y z
     
     
I xy 2  yz3  J xy 2  yz3  K xy 2  yz3
x y z
     
  
 I y 2  J 2xy  z 3  K 3yz 2
  
 I  3 J 3K at  1, 2, 1
Also given f  x log z  y2  4

 f  f  f
Then f  I J K
x y z
     
     
I x log z  y 2  4  J x log z  y 2  4  K x log z  y 2  4
x y z
   x
 
 I log z   I  2 y   K  
2
 
 4 J  K at  1, 2, 1
Then the directional derivative of   xy2  yz3 in the direction of normal the
surface f  x log z  y 2  4  0 is
 
 f       4 J K 12  3 15
. N '  .   I  3 J  3 K .   . Ans.
f   16  1 17 17
Q.No.6: Find the directional derivative of f x, y, z   2xy  z 2 at the point 1,  1, 3
  
in the direction of the vector I  2 J  2 K .
 f  f  f
Sol.: Here f  I J K
x y z
     
     
I 2 xy  z 2  J 2xy  z 2  K 2 xy  z 2
x y z
  
 I 2 y   J 2 x   K 2z 
  
 2 I  2 J  6 K at 1,  1, 3
  
Hence, the directional derivative of f in the direction of I  2 J  2 K
      N
 f . N'    2 I  2 J  6 K .
  N
  
     I  2 J 2 K  2  4  12 14 2
   2 I  2 J  6 K .    4 . Ans.
  1 4  4 9 3 3
Q.No.7: In what direction from 3, 1,  2 is the directional derivative of   x 2 y2z 4

maximum ? Find also the magnitude of this maximum.
Sol.: Given   x 2 y2z 4

     
        2 2 4   2 2 4   2 2 4
Then   I J K I x y z J x y z K x y z
x y z x y z
     
  
 I 2 xy 2z 4  J 2 yx 2z 4  K 4z3x 2 y 2
  
 96 I  288 J  288 K at 3, 1,  2 
  
 96 I  3 J  3 K . Ans.
 
Thus, the directional derivative of   x 2 y2z 4 is maximum in the direction of
  
96 I  3 J  3 K  from the point 3, 1,  2 .
 
IInd Part: Since we know that the directional derivative of   x 2 y2z 4 is maximum
along its normal, so its magnitude is   96 1  9  9  96 19 . Ans.

  
Q.No.8: Prove that r n  nr n  2 R , where R  x I  y J  z K .

Sol.: We have f x , y, z   r n  x 2  y 2  z 2 
n/2

f  r n

 

 2

x  y2  z2 
n/2
 
n 2
x  y2  z2 
n
1
2 .2 x  n x r n 2 .
x x x 2
f f
Similarly  ny r n  2 and  nz r n  2
y z
f f f
Thus r n  I J K  nr n  2 xI  yJ  zK   nr n  2 R . Ans.
x y z
 1
r
R
Q.No.9: (a) Find  , if   log x 2  y2  z 2 , (b) Show that grad     3 .
r

Sol.: (a) Given   log x 2  y2  z 2 , then 
     
  I J K
x y z
     
     
I log x 2  y 2  z 2  J log x 2  y 2  z 2  K log x 2  y 2  z 2
x y z
 2x  2y  2z
I 2 2 2
J 2 2 2
K
x y z x y z x  y2  z2
2
   
 I x  J y  K z 
 2 2 2 2
 . Ans.
x y z
   1 1
(b) Now since R  I x  J y  K z, then r 2  x 2  y 2  z 2  
r x 2  y2  z2
1 1   1   1   1

Then grad       I    J    K  
r r x  r  y  r  z  r 
   1    
J  1    
K  1 

I
x  x 2  y 2  z 2  y  x 2  y 2  z 2  z  x 2  y 2  z 2 
     
     
 Ix JyKz Ix  JyKz R
  
x 2
 y2  z 
2 3/ 2  x 2  y 2  z 2 
3
r3
 
Q.No.10: Find the constants a and b so that the surface ax 2  byz  a  2x is
orthogonal to the surface 4x 2 y  z3  4 at the point 1,  1, 2 .

Sol.: Let the given surfaces be f1 and f2 , therefore
f1  ax 2  byz  a  2x and f 2  4x 2 y  z3  4

 f  f1  f1
1
f1  I J K
x y z
I
 
x
  
ax 2  byz  a  2 x  J
y
 
 
ax 2  byz  a  2x  K
z
ax 2  byz  a  2x   
  
 I 2ax  a  2  J bz   K by 
 f1
Since, we know that unit vector normal to the surface f1 is N  .
f1
  
Now f1 at the point 1,  1, 2 is a  2 I  2b J  b K
     
 f1 ( a  2) I  2 b J  b K ( a  2) I  2 b J  b K
N1   
f1 a  22  4b2  b 2 a  22  5b 2
Similarly,
 f  f 2  f 2
2
f 2  I J K
x y z
     
     
I 4x 2 y  z3  4  J 4x 2 y  z3  4  K 4x 2 y  z3  4
x y z
   
  
 I 8xy   J 4x 2  K 3z 2
  
Now f 21 at the point 1,  1, 2 is  8 I  4 J  12 K
        
 f 2  8 I  4 J  12 K  8 I  4 J  12 K  2 I  J  3 K
N2     .
f 2  82  42  122 224 14
 
Since the surfaces are orthogonal to each other. Hence N1 . N 2  0 .
     
( a  2) I  2 b J  b K  2 I  J  3 K
 . 0
a  22  5b 2 14
(a  2)(2) 2b(1) b(3)
   0
a  2 2
 5b 2 14 a  2 2
 5b 2 14 a  22  5b2 14
 2a  4  2b  3b  0  b  2a  4  0  2a  b  4
 b  2a  4
Putting this value of b in f1, we get
f1  ax 2  byz  a  2x  ax 2  2a  4 yz  a  2 x  0

 a.(1) 2  2a  4 (1).2  a  2 .1  0 at 1,  1, 2 
 a   4a  8  a  2  0
 4a  10  0
10
a  2.5 Ans.
4
And b  2a  4  2  2.5  4  5  4  1. Ans.
Hence the values of a and b are a = 2.5 and b = 1.
Q.No.11: What is the greatest rate of increase of u  x 2  yz2 at the point 1,  1, 3 ?
Sol.: Since we know that u gives the greatest rate of change of a scalar point function
u.
     
 u  u  u   2    
Then u  I J K I x  yz2  J x 2  yz2  K x 2  yz2
x y z x y z
 
 
 I 2x   J z 2  K 2 yz

  
 2 I  9 J 6 K at 1,  1, 3
  
Thus u  2 I  9 J  6 K is the greatest rate of increase of u  x 2  yz2 at the point
1,  1, 3 .
Q.No.12: The temperature of points in space is given by Tx, y, z   x 2  y2  z . A
mosquito located at 1, 1, 2 desires to fly in such a direction that it will get
warm as soon as possible. In what direction should it move ?
Sol.: The mosquito wants to move to the region where the temperature is maximum as
soon as possible. So, it will transverse its direction where the directional derivative of
temperature is maximum i.e. the direction normal to the isothermal surface on which it is
 T 
situated. As we know    T , which is normal to the surface.
 r  max
Then T  I
 T
x
J
 T  T   2
y
K
z
I
x
  
x  y2  z  J
y

x 2  y2  z  K
 
z

x 2  y2  z  
     
 I 2x   J 2 y   K 1  2 I  2 J  K at 1, 1, 2
Thus unit vector normal gives the direction in which the mosquito ought to move is
  
 T 2 I  2 J  K 1     
N    2 I  2 J  K  . Ans.
T 4  4 1 3 
Q.No.13: Calculate the angle between the normals to the surface xy  z 2 at the points
4, 1, 2 and 3, 3,  3 .
Sol.: Let N1 and N 2 be any vectors normal to the surface xy  z 2 at the points
4, 1, 2 and 3, 3,  3 respectively.
Now f gives the vector normal to the surface f  xy  z 2  0
     
 f  f  f      
Then f  I J K I xy  z 2  J xy  z 2  K xy  z 2
x y z x y z
  
 I y   J x   K 2z 
  
 N1  I  4 J  4 K at 4, 1, 2 
  
and N 2  3 I  3 J  6 K at 3, 3,  3
Also N1  1  16  16  33 , and N 2  9  9  36  54  3 6
N1.N 2 3  12  24 9 1
 cos    
N1 . N 2 3 6 . 33 9 22 22
 1 
   cos 1 . Ans.
 22 
Q.No.14: Find the angle between the tangent planes to the surfaces x log z  y2  1,
x 2 y  2  z at the point 1, 1, 1 .

Sol.: Let f  x log z  y2  1  0 and g  x 2 y  z  2  0 be two surfaces.
 f  f  f
x y z
     
     
I x log z  y 2  1  J x log z  y 2  1  K x log z  y 2  1
x y z
   x
 
 I log z   J 2 y   K  
z
 
 N1  2 J  K at 1, 1, 1
     
 g  g  g   2    
Also, g  I J K I x yz2 J x2y  z  2  K x2y  z  2
x y z x y z
 
 I 2xy   J x 2  K 1   
  
 N2  2 I  J  K at 1, 1, 1
where N1 and N2 be normals of the surfaces f and g, respectively.
Now angle between the two tangents planes = angle between their normals
N1.N 2  2.1  1.1 1 1
 cos    
N1 . N 2 4  1. 4  1  1 5 6 30
 1 
   cos 1 . Ans.
 30 
Q.No.15: Find the angle between the surfaces x 2  y2  z 2  9 and z  x 2  y2  3 at
2,  1, 2 .
Sol.: Let f  x 2  y2  z2  9  0 and g  x 2  y2  z  3  0 be two surfaces.
 f  f  f
x y z
     
  2    
I x  y2  z2  9  J x 2  y2  z2  9  K x 2  y2  z2  9
x y z
  
 I 2 x   J 2 y   K 2z 
  
 N1  4 I  2 J  4 K at 2,  1, 2 
 g  g  g
Also, g  I J K
x y z
     
  2    
I x  y2  z  3  J x 2  y2  z  3  K x 2  y2  z  3
x y z
  
 I 2 x   J 2 y   K 1
  
 N2  4 I  2 J K at 2,  1, 2
where N1 and N2 be normals of the surfaces f and g, respectively.
Now angle between the two surfaces = angle between their normals
N1.N 2 4.4  (2).(2)  4.(1) 16 16 8 8 21

 cos      
N1 . N 2 16  4  16 . 16  4  1 36 21 6 21 3 21 63
 8 21 
   cos 1 . Ans.

 63 
Q.No.16: If f and G are point functions, prove that the components of the latter normal
and tangential to the surface f = 0 are
G.f f and
f  G  f 
f 2 f 2
Sol.:
tangent
G
normal
O
f A
surface f = 0
Normal component of G = OA (unit vector along f )
     f  f
  G.f  f   G. 
 f  f
   
 
G.f f  f 2  f 2
f 2

Tangential component of G = AB  OB  OA  G 
G.f f
f 2

f .f G  G.f f 
f  G  f 
f .f f 2
*** *** *** *** ***

*** *** ***
***
Home Assignments
4th Topic
Vector Calculus
Del applied to vector point function (Divergence, Curl)
Physical interpretation of divergence
Physical interpretation of curl Irrotational motion
Del Applied Twice to Point Function
Del applied to products of point functions
Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
Del applied to vector point function:

Divergence:
The divergence of a continuously differentiable vector point function F is
denoted by div F and is defined by the equation
 F  F  F  F
div F  .F  I .  J.  K.  I. .
x y z x
  
Let F  f I   J   K .
           f  
Then div F  .F   I  J  K .f I   J   K     .
 x y z    x y z
Vector Calculus: Divergence, Curl, Del applied twice to point functions and product of 2
functions Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur
This means .F is a scalar function.

Curl:
The curl of a continuously differentiable vector point function F is defined by the
 F  F  F  F
equation curl F    F  I  J  K   I .
x y z x
  
Let F  f I   J   K .
          
Then curlF    F   I  J  K   f I   J   K 
 x y z   
  
I J K
        f      f 

  I     J     K    .
x y z  y z   z x   x y 
f  
Physical interpretation of divergence: (div V)

  
Consider the motion of the fluid having velocity V  v x I  v y J  v z K at a point
Px, y, z  .
Then consider a small parallelopiped with edges x , y, z parallel to the axes, in the
mass of fluid, with one of its corner at P.
z-axis
Small parallelopiped
C A/
B/ P/
vy
δz vy + δy
P δy B
δx
A C/
O
y-axis
x-axis
 The amount of fluid entering the face PB in unit time  v yzx
and the amount of fluid leaving the face PB in unit time  v y  yzx
 v y 
 v y  y  z x (nearly)
 y 
Therefore, the net decrease of the amount of fluid due to flow across these two faces
v y
 x y z .
y
Similarly, we can find the contributions of other two pairs of faces.
v x v z
i.e. the contributions of other two pairs of faces are x y z and x y z.
x z
Then, the total decrease of amount of fluid inside the parallelopiped per unit time
 v v y v z 
 x    x y z .
 x y z 
 v v y v z 
Thus, the rate of loss of fluid per unit volume in unit time   x     div V .
 x y z 
Hence, if V is the velocity of fluid, then div V gives the rate at which fluid is originating
at a point per unit volume in unit time.
Similarly, if V represents an electric flux, then div V is the amount of flux which
diverges per unit volume in unit time.
If V represents heat flux, then div V is the rate at which heat is issuing from a
point per unit volume.
In general, the divergence of a vector point function representing any
physical quantity gives at each point, the rate per unit volume at which the
physical quantity is issuing from that point. This explains the justification
for the name divergence of vector point function.
If the fluid is incompressible fluid, then there can be no gain or no loss in the
volume element. Hence, div V  0 .
This is known as the equation of continuity for incompressible fluid in hydrodynamics.
From this discussion, we should conclude and remember that, roughly speaking,
the divergence measures outflow minus inflow.
Solenoidal vector function:

Definition: If the flux entering any element of space is the same as that leaving it,
i.e. div V  0 , everywhere, then such a point function is called solenoidal
vector function.
Physical interpretation of curl:

Consider the motion of a rigid body rotating about a fixed axis through O. If Ω be
its angular velocity, then the velocity V of any particle PR  of the body is given by
V  Ω R .
z-axis
Rigid body
* P(R)
y-axis
O
x-axis
     
Let Ω  1 I  2 J  3 K and R  x I  y J  z K .
  
I J K
  
Then V  Ω  R  1 2 3  I 2 z  3 y   J 3x  1z   K 1y  2 x  .
x y z
Taking curl on both sides, we get

  
I J K
     
curl V   I 1  1   J 2  2   K 3  3  .
x y z
 2 z  3 y, 3 x  1z, 1 y   2 x
   
 2 1 I  2 J  3 K   2Ω .
 
1
Hence, Ω  curl V .
2
Thus, the angular velocity of rotation at any point is equal to half the curl of the
velocity vector, which justifies the name rotation used for curl.
In general, the curl of any vector point function gives the measure of
the angular velocity at any point of the vector field.
Irrotational motion:
Definition: Any motion in which the curl of the velocity vector is zero is said to be
irrotational, otherwise, rotational.
Del Applied Twice to Point Function:

f and   F being vector point functions, we can form their divergence and
curl, whereas .F being a scalar point function, we can have its gradient only.
Thus we have the following five formulae:
 2f  2f  2f
(1) div grad f   2 f   
x 2 y 2 z 2
(2) curl grad f    f  0
(3) div curl F  .  F  0
(4) curl curl F = grad div F   2F i.e.     F   .F    2F
(5) grad div F = curl curl F   2F i.e.   .F       F    2 F

Proofs:
 2f  2f  2f
(1) Prove that div grad f   2 f    .
x 2 y 2 z 2
  f  f  f    f    f    f 
Proof: Here  2f  .f  . I  J  K        
 x y z  x  x  y  y  z  z 
 2f  2
 2f 2  2 
 2f
 2 2 2     f
x y z  x 2 y 2 z 2 
 
2 2 2
2    is called the Laplacian operator and  2f  0 is called the
x 2 y 2 z 2
Laplace’s equation.
(2) Prove that curl grad f    f  0 .
  f  f  f 
Proof: Here   f     I  J  K 
 x y z 
  
I I K
     2 f  2f 
   I   0.
x y z  yz zy 
 
f f f
x y z
(3). Prove that div curl F  .  F  0 .
      F  F  F 
Proof: .  F    I . I  J  K 
 x   x y z 
   2 F   2 F   2F 
  I  I  2  J  K 
 x x y x z 
 
    2F    2F    2F 
   I  I . 2  I J  I K . 
 x x y x z 
 
   2 F   2F 
  K. J   0.
 xy x z 
 
(4). Prove that curl curl F = grad div F   2F i. e.     F   .F    2F .

      F  F  F 
Proof:     F     I    I  J  K 
 x   x y z 
    2F   2F   2F 
 I   I  2  J  K 
 x x y x z 
 
   2F        2F     2F        2F 
 I . 2  I   I . I  2    I .  J  I .J 
 xy 
 x     
 x   xy    
  
    2F        2F  
   I .  K   I .K 
   
  xz    xz  
   2 F      2 F         2 F     2 F    2
   I . 2  I   I .  J   I . I    I. K    F
   2   xz 
 x   xy     x     x 2
      F  F  F   2F
   I . I .  J.  K .    2
 .F    2F .
 x  x y z  x
(5). is just another way of writing (4) above.
Del applied to products of point functions:
To prove that
(1). fg   fg  gf
(2). .fG   f .G  f.G
(3).   fG   f  G  f  G
(4). F.G   F. G  G. F  F    G   G    F 
(5). .F  G   G.  F   F.  G 
(6).    F  G   F  .G   G  .F    G.  F   F.  G
Proofs:
(2). To prove that .fG   f .G  f.G .
   f G 

Proof: .fG    I . fG   I  G  f 
x  x x 
f    G 

  .G  f   I .   f .G  f.G
 x   x 
(4). To prove that F.G   F. G  G. F  F    G   G    F  .

    
Proof: F.G    I F.G    I  F .G  F. G    I F .G   I  F. G  (i)
x  x x  x  x 
  F   F      F
Now G   I    G.  I   G. I 
 x   x    x
  F     F     F
or  G .  I  G   I    G. I 
 x   x    x
 F    F    F
   G.  I  G   I   G. I   G    F   G. F (ii)
 x  x   x
Interchanging F and G, we get
 F  
  F.  I  F    G   F. G (iii)
 x 
Substituting in (i) from (ii) and (iii), we get
F.G   F. G  G. F  F    G   G    F 
(6). To prove that   F  G   F.G   G .F   G.F  F.G .
  
Proof:   F  G    I F  G    I  F  G  F  G 
x  x x 
   F   F     G     G 
   I .G    I . G     I . F   I .F  
  x  x    x    x 
   F  F  G    G
   G. I   G I .  F I .   F. I 
  x x x   x
  G    F     F    G
 F  I .   G  I .     G. I    F. I 
 x   x    x   x
Thus,   F  G   F.G   G .F   G.F  F.G .
Now let us solve some problems related to these topics:
  
Q.No.1.: If R  x I  y J  z K , show that (i) .R  3 , (ii)   R  0 .
           
Sol.: (i) .R   I  J  K . x I  y J  z K   x    y    z   3 .
 x y z    x y z
  
I J K
    z y    z x    y x 
(ii)   R   I     J    K   
x y z  y z   x z   x y 
x y z
  
 I 0  0  J 0  0  K 0  0  0 .
Q.No.2.: Find div F and curl F , where F  grad x 3  y3  z3  3xyz .  


Sol.: If u  x 3  y3  z3  3xyz 
u  u  2
     
 u   
F  u  I J K  I 3x  3yz  J 3y 2  3zx  K 3z 2  3xy
x y z
 div F 

x

3x 2  3yz 

y

3y 2  3zx 
z

3z 2  3xy  6x  y  z  . Ans.  
  
I J K
  
curl F 
    I  3x  3x   J  3y  3  K  3z  3z   0 . Ans.
x y z

3 x 2  yz  3y 2
 zx  3z 2
 xy 
 
Q.No.3.: Show that  2 r n  n n  1r n 2 .
 
Sol.:  2 r n  . r n    .n.r n 2
R   r n
 n.r n 2 R 
  
Prove that r n  nr n  2R , where R  x I  y J  z K .
Sol.: We have f x , y, z   r n  x 2  y 2  z 2  
n/2

f  r n
 
 2  
x  y2  z2   n/2 n

 x 2  y2  z 2 
n
1
2 .2 x  n x r n 2 .
x x x 2
f f
Similarly  ny r n  2 and  nz r n  2
y z
f f f
Thus r n  I J K  nr n  2 xI  yJ  zK   nr n  2R . Ans.
x y z
   
 . nr n  2R  n. r n  2R
 nr .R  r .R 

n 2 n 2
 .fG   f .G  f.G 
     
 n n  2r n  4R.R  r n  2 3  n n  2r n  4 r 2  3r n  2  n n  1r n  2
Otherwise, we can evaluate this as follow:
 
2 r n 
2 rn     r    r  .
2 n 2 n
(i)
x 2 y 2 z 2
Now
 rn  
 nr n 1
r x
 nr n 1  nr n  2 x .
x x r

   n r
2 rn n 2
 n  2r n 3
r   x 
x   n r n  2  n  2r n 3 x 
2  x 
x   r 

 n r n  2  n  2r n  4 x 2 .  (ii)
Similarly,
   nr n 2  n  2r n 4 y2 .
2 rn
(iii)
2
y
   nr n 2  n  2r n 4z2 .

2 rn
(iv)
2
z
Adding (ii), (iii) and (iv) and (i), we get
      
 2 r n  n 3r n  2  n  2r n  4 x 2  y 2  z 2  n 3r n  2  n  2r n  4 r 2  n n  1r n  2 . Ans.
Q.No.4.: If uF  v , where u, v are scalar fields and F is a vector field, show that
F. curl F  0 .
1
Sol.: Since F  v .
u
1  1 1 1
 curl F     v     v    v     v    f  0,    v  0 
u  u u u
1  1 
Hence, F. curlF  v.   v   0 .
u  u 
[ it is a scalar triple product in which two factors are equal].
Q.No.5.: If r and R have their usual meanings and A constant vector, prove that
 AR  2 n n A.R 
   n   n A  n2 R .
 r  r r
  
Sol.: Since   r  n A  R   r  n   A  R   r  n  A  R  
   fG   f  G  f  G 
 R
 r  n .R A  A. R     nr n 1   A  R 
 r
 r  n 3A  A   nr n  2 R  A  R 
 .R  3
 2Ar  n  nr n  2R.R A  A.R R 

2A
r n

r
n
n2
r A  A.R R  2r n A  nrA.R  R .Ans.
2
n n2
   
Q.No.6.: Evaluate (i) div 3x 2 I  5xy 2 J  xyz3 K  at the point 1, 2, 3 .
 
     
(ii) curl e xyz  I  I  K  .
  
 
   
(iii) curl  xyz I  3x 2 y J  xz 2  y 2z K  .
 
       
Sol.: (i) div 3x 2 I  5xy 2 J  xyz3 K   . 3x 2 I  5xy 2 J  xyz3 K 
   
       2   
  I J  K . 3x I  5xy 2 J  xyz 3 K 
 x y z   
 6 x  10 xy  3xyz 2
 6  20  54 at the point 1, 2, 3
 80 . Ans.
  
I J K
       xyz        
(ii) curl e xyz  I  J  K     e  I  J  K  
      x y z
e xyz e xyz e xyz
  
 e xyz xz  xy  I  e xyz xy  yz  J  e xyz yz  xz  K
   
 e xyz  x z  y  I  yx  z  J  z y  x  K . Ans.
 
   
       
(iii) curl  xyz I  3x 2 y J  xz 2  y 2z K      xyz I  3x 2 y J  xz 2  y 2z K 
   
  
I J K


x

y

z


  2 yz  0  I  xy  z 2 J  6xy  xz  K   
xyz 3x 2 y xz 2
 y 2z 
 
  
  2 yz  I  xy  z 2 J  x 6 y  z  K . Ans.
  
x I  y J z K 2
Q.No.7.: If V  , show that (i) .V  ,
x 2  y2  z2 x 2  y2  z2
and (ii)   V  0 .
       
   
 x I  y J z K       x I y J z K 
Sol.: (i) .V  .    I x  J y  K z . 
 x 2  y2  z2     x 2  y2  z2 
   
  x   
  y  
  z 



x x 2  y 2  z 2  y  2 2 2  z  2 2 2 
   x y z   x y z 
x    x   
1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 1  1 
y z  x x 2  y2  z 2 2 .2 x 2
y 2
z 2 2
 y x 2  y2  z 2 2 .2 y
2 2


x  y2  z 2
2
 

x  y2  z 2
2

x   12 zx  y  z  .2z
1 1
2 2 2
 y2  z 2 2 2 2

x  y  z  2 2 2

x  y  z  x  x  y  z  y  x
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
 y2  z 2  z2 
x  y  z 
3
2 2 2 2
2x  y  z 
2 2
2 2
  . Ans.
x  y  z  x  y  z 
3 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
  
I J K
  
(ii)   V 
x y z
x y z
x 2  y2  z2 x 2  y2  z 2 x 2  y2  z2
             
 z y x z
    
 z  2
 I   
  z  2
 
 x  2
 J

 y  x 2  y 2  z 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
    x y z    x  y  z   x y z 
      
 y x
    
 y  2
 K

 x  x 2  y 2  z 2 2 2
    x y z 
     
  yz  yz    xz  xz     xy  xy 
  I   J  K
     
3 3 3
 2 2 2   2 2 2   2 2 2 
 x y z 2   x y z 2   x y z 2 
  
 0 I  0 J  0 K  0 . Ans.
  
Q.No.8.: If F  x  y  1 I  J  x  y K , show that F.curl F  0 .
  
I J K
  
Sol.:   F 
x y z
 x  y  1 1   x  y
      
   x  y  1 I   x  y  1   x  y J
 y z   z x 
  
  1  x  y  1 K
 x y 
     
  1  0 I  0  1 J  0  1K   I  J  K
       
 F.curl F  x  y  1 I  J  x  y K .  I  J  K   x  y  1  1  x  y   0. Ans.
  
     
  
Q.No.9.: Find the value of ‘a’ if the vector ax 2 y  yz I  xy 2  xz 2 J  2 xyz  2x 2 y 2 K
has zero divergence. Find the curl of the above vector, which has zero
divergence.
     
  
Sol.: 1st part: F  ax 2 y  yz I  xy2  xz 2 J  2xyz  2x 2 y 2 K
 J  K .ax y  yz I  xy  xz J  2 xyz  2x y K  0

  
      
2 2 2 2 2
div F  0   I
x y z 
 2axy  4 xy  0  xya  2   0  a  2 . Ans.
     
  
2nd Part: F  ax 2 y  yz I  xy2  xz 2 J  2xyz  2x 2 y 2 K
  
I J K
  
  F 
x y z
 2x y  yz xy
2 2
 xz 2  2xyz  2x y  2 2
    I   z  2x y  yz  x 2xyz  2x y J

    
  2 xyz  2 x 2 y 2  xy 2  xz 2 2 2
y  z

 
xy 2  xz 2 

 
 2x 2 y  yz  K  
 x y 
     

 2xz  4x 2 y  2xz I  y  2 yz  4xy2 J  y 2  z2  2x 2  z K



 4xz  4x y I  4xy  2 yz  y J  2x  y  z  z K

  
2 2 2 2 2
 4x z  xy I  y  2 yz  4xy J  2x  y  z  z K

  
2 2 2 2
Q.No.10.: Show that each of the following vectors are solenoidal

  
(i) x  3y  I  y  3z  J  x  2z K ,
  
(ii) 3y4z 2 I  4x 3z 2 J  3x 2 y 2 K ,
(iii) u  v .
  
Sol.: (i) Let F  x  3y  I  y  3z  J  x  2z K
    
.F  .x  3y  I  y  3z  J  x  2z K   x  3y    y  3z    x  2z 
  x y z
 11 2  0 .
This shows that the given vector is solenoidal.

  
(ii) Let F  3y 4z 2 I  4x 3z 2 J  3x 2 y 2 K
.F 

x
 
3y 4 z 2 

y
 

4 x 3z 2  3x 2 y 2  0 .
z
This shows that the given vector is solenoidal.
(iii) u  v , where u and v are scalar functions.
Since u and v are scalar point functions,
But u and v are vector functions.
Since we know that
  
I J K
 f  f  f     
curl grad f     f   0 ,    f     I  J  K   0
 x y z  x y z
f f f
x y z
If .u  v   0 , then u  v is solenoidal.

 .u  v   v.  u   u.  v   0  0  0
 .F  G   G   F   F.  G 
  
Q.No.11: If u  x 2  y2  z 2 and V  x I  y J  z K , show that div (uV) = 5u.
  
Sol.: Given u  x 2  y2  z 2 , V  x I  y J  z K
 .uV   u.V  u.V  .fG   f .G  f.G 

  u  u  u                
  I J  K . x I  y J  z K   u I  J  K  x I  y J  z K 
 x y z     x y z  
         x y z 
  2 x I  2 y J  2z K . x I  y J  z K   u   
    x y z 
 
 2 x 2  y 2  z 2  3u  2u  3u  5u .
  
1 2R R 1
Q.No.12: If R  x I  y J  z K , show that (i)  2    4 , (ii) . 2   2 ,
r  r r  r
 R 6
(iii)  2 . 2    4 .
 r  r
  
Sol.: (i) Given R  x I  y J  z K
   
1  1 1  1
Then  2  
 r  x x 2  y 2  z 2 
I 
y x 2  y 2  z 2
J 

z x 2  y 2  z 2
K
   
2x  2y  2x 

x 2
 y2  z2  x
2
I
2
 y2  z2  2
J
x 2
 y2  z2  K
2    2R
  x I  y J  z K    . Ans.
4
r   r4
 R          x  y  z 
(ii) . 2    I  J  K . 2
 r   x y z   x  y 2  z 2
I 
x 2  y2  z2
J 
 K
x 2  y2  z2 

    
 x  y  z
 2

2
x x  y  z 2
 2 2
y x  y  z 2


z x  y 2  z 2
2
   

r 2  2x 2

r 2  2y

r 2  2z 2

3r 2


2 x 2  y2  z2 
4 4 4 4 4
r r r r r
3 2r 2 1
 2
 4
 Ans.
r r r2
  R  1  R 1
(iii)  2 . 2    2  2   . 2   2 
  r  r   r  r 
1  2R 
 . 2   .  4 
r   r 
        2      6
=  I  J  K . 4  x I  y J  z K   4 .Ans.
 x y z   r   r
Q.No.13: If V1 and V2 be the vector joining the fixed points x1, y1, z1  and
x 2 , y 2 , z 2  respectively to a variable point (x, y, z), prove that
(i) div V1  V2   0 ,
(ii) grad V1.V2   V1  V2  ,
(iii) curl V1  V2   2V1  V2  .
Sol.: (i) div V1  V2   0

  
Now V1  x  x1  I  y  y1  J  z  z1 K
  
and V2  x  x 2  I  y  y 2  J  z  z 2  K
 div V1  V2   .V1  V2 

  
I J K
Now V1  V2   x  x1  y  y1  z  z1 
x  x 2  y  y 2  z  z 2 
 
 y  y1 z  z 2   y  y 2 z  z1  I  x  x1 z  z 2   x  x 2 z  z 2 J

 x  x1 y  y 2   x  x 2 y  y1 K
 .V1  V2 

 y  y1 z  z 2   y  y 2 z  z1    x  x1 z  z 2   x  x 2 z  z 2 
x y

 x  x 1 y  y 2   x  x 2 y  y1 
z
= 0. Ans.
(ii)  V1.V2 
Now V1.V2  x  x1 x  x 2   y  y1 y  y 2   z  z1 z  z 2 
  
 V1.V2   2x  x 2  x1  I  2 y  y2  y1  J  2z  z 2  z1 K  V1  V2 
(iii) Since curl V1  V2   V1.V2   V2 .V1   V2 . V1  V1. V2
 3V1  3V2  V2  V1  2V1  V2 
2
Q.No.14.: Show that (i)  2f r   f  r   f  r  ,
r
(ii) .     2   2 .

2 2 2
Sol.: Since  2 f r   2
f r   2
f r   f r 
x y z 2
r 2  x 2  y2  z2
Differentiating partially w. r. t. x, we get
r r x
2r  2x  
x x r

 f r   f  r  r  f  r  x
x x r
 r 
 r  .x 
x   f  r  x .  f  r  r  x 
2 2 2
2 
 r x  r x 
f r   f  r  .  f  r 
 r2   r3   x  r 
x 2  x  r  r2       
 
 
 x2   1 x2 
 f r  2 .  f r   3 
    (ii)
r  r r 
   
2  2   2 
Similarly 2
f r   f  r  x2 .  f  r  1  y3  (iii)
y r  r r 
2  2   2 
2
f r   f  r  z2 .  f  r  1  z3  (iv)
z r  r r 
Adding (ii), (iii) and (iv), we get

 x 2  y2  z2   2 2 2
 2 f r   f  r    f  r  3  x  y  z   f  r   2 f  r  = R. H. S.
 r2  r r3  r
   
(ii) .     2   2

L.H.S. = .         .  .   .  . 
  2   2 = R. H. S.
  
Q.No.15.: If A is a constant vector and R  x I  y J  z K , prove that
(i) grad A.R   A , (ii) div A  R   0 , (iii) curl A  R   2A ,
(iv) grad A.R R   A  R

Sol.: (i) To Show: grad A.R   A
  
Now since A = constant vector  A1 I  A 2 J  A3 K
  
and R  x I  y J  z K
     
 L. H. S. =  A.R    I A.R    I  A.R   I  A. R    I  A.. I 
x x  x   
  
 A1 I  A 2 J  A3 K = A. = R. H. S.
(ii) To Show: div A  R   0

L. H. S. = div A  R   R.  A   A  R 
     
I J K I J K
     
Now   A   0 and   R  0
x y z x y z
A1 A2 A3 x y z
Hence div A  R   0  0  0
(iii) To Show: curl A  R   2A
L. H. S. =   A  R   A.R   R .A  RA  A.R   3A  A  2 A .= R. H. S.
(iv) To Show: grad A.R R   A  R
L. H. S. =    A.R R   A.R   R  A.R   R   A  R  A.R  0  A  R . =R. H.S.
Q.No.16.: Prove that (i) A 2  2A. A  2A    A 

(ii)   R  U   R .U   2U  R. U
Sol.: (i) A 2  A.A   A. A  A. A  A    A   A    A 
 2A. A  2 A    A 
 A 2  2A. A  2A    A 
(ii)   R  U   R.U  R. U  U. R  U.R
 U.   0
 R .U   R. U  U  3U .R  3 
 
 R .U   R. U  2U
  R  U   R .U   2U  R. U . Ans.
Q.No.17: (a) If f  x 2  y 2  z 2  
n
, find div grad f and determine n if div grad f = 0.
 
(b) Show that div grad r n  n n  1r n  2 , where r 2  x 2  y 2  z 2 .
Sol.: (a) Given f  x 2  y 2  z 2  

n
, r 2  x 2  y2  z2
 f  r2  n
 r 2n
Now div grad f  .f   2f
  2
r   y r  z r .
2 2
  2f   2 r  2 n   2n  2n 2n
x 2 2 2
Now
x
r  
  2n
 2n r  2 n 1
r
x
x
 2n r  2 n 1  2nr 2n  2 x
r

2
x 2
r   2n r
 2n  2n  2
  2n  2 r  2 n 3
r 
x 

.x   2n r  2n  2   2n  2r  2n  4 x 2 
(ii)
Similarly
2
y 2
r   2nr
2n  2n  2
  2n  2r  2n  4 y 2  (iii)
2
z 2
r   2nr
 2n  2n  2
  2n  2r  2n  4z 2  (iv)
   
2 r  2n  2n 3 r  2n  2   2n  2r  2n  4 x 2  y2  z 2  
 2n  2n  2  3.r 2n  2  2n  2n  1.r 2n 1  2n 2n  1.r 2n 1
2n 2n  1 2n 2n  1
 
r 2n 1  x 2  y2  z2
n 1

2n 2n  1
 
If 2 r  2n  0   0  2n 2n  1  0
 2 2
x y z 2 n 1

1
n  . Ans.
2

(b) 2r n  div grad r n   2 r n   2
x 2
rn 
y
2
2
rn 
2
z 2
rn
2 r x
Now 2
r n  nr n 1  nr n 1  nr n  2 .x
x x r
2  r   x 
r n  n r n  2  n  2r n 3 x   n r n  2  n  2r n  3 x 
2
x  x   r 

 n r n  2  n  2r n  4 x 2  (ii)
Similarly
2
y 2
r   nr
n n 2
 n  2r n  4 y 2  (iii)
2
z 2
r   nr
n n 2
 n  2 r n  4 z 2  (iv)
     
 2 r n  n 3r n  2  n  2r n  4 x 2  y 2  z 2  n 3r n  2  n  2r n  4r 2 
 n n  2  3r n  2  n n  1r n  2 .
Q.No.18: For a solenoidal vector F, show that curl curl curl curl F  4F .
Sol.: Since F is a solenoidal vector, then .F  0 .
R. H. S.          F        F   F. 
 
      2 .F  .F  0
       F   . F    F. 
2 2 2
   0   2F 2   4F = L. H. S.
Q.No.19: If u  x 2 y 2 , v  xy  3z 2 , find (i) u.v  ,

(ii) .u  v  .
Sol.: Given u  x 2 y 2 , v  xy  3z 2
        
 u  u I  u J  u K  2xyz I  x 2z J  x 2 y K (i)
x y z
     
     
     
v  v I  v J v K  xy  3z 2 I  xy  3z 2 J  xy  3z 2 K
x y z x y z
  
 y I  x J  6z K .
       
(i) u.v    2 xyz I  x 2 z J  x 2 y K . y I  x J  6z K   2xy2z  x 3z  6x 2 yz .   (ii)
  
   
u.v   u.v  I   u.v J   u.v K
x y z
   
   
 2xy 2z  x 5z  6x 2 yz I  2xy 2 z  x 3z  6 x 2 yz J
x y
 
 
 2xy2 z  x 3z  6x 2 yz K
z
     
  
 2 y 2z  3x 2z  12xyz I  4xyz  6x 2z J  2x 2 y 2  x 3  6x 2 y K
 2 y  3x  12xy.z. I  4xy  6x .z. J  2x y  x  6x y K

  
2 2 2 2 2 3 2
u.v   2 y  3x  12xyI  4xy  6x J  2x y  x  6x y K

  
2 2 2 2 2 3 2
(ii) Find .u  v 
Given u  x 2 y 2 , v  xy  3z 2
     
2 2 2 2
 u  2xy z I  2x yz J  x y K and v  y I  x J  6z K
  
I J K
 u  v  2xy 2 z 2x 2 yz x 2 y 2
y x  6z
     
  
 I  12x 2 yz2  x 3 y2  J  12xy2z 2  x 2 y3  K 2x 2 y 2z  2x 2 y 2z
.u  v  

x

 12x 2 yz 2  x y    12xy z  x y   2 x y z  2 x y z 
3 2 
y

z
2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2
  
  24xyz2  3x 2 y 2  24xyz2  3x 2 y 2  0  0 . 
Q.No.20: Find directional derivative of . at the point 1,  2, 1 in the directional of
the normal to the surface xy2z  3x  z 2 , where   2x 3y 2z 4 .

      
Sol.: f  .     I  J  K  2 x 3 y 2 z 4  
 x y z 
  
 6x 2 y2z 4 I  4x 2 yz4 J  8x 3y 2z3 K .
.  12xy2z 4  4x 3z 4  24x 3y 2z 2
   
 
.  12y 2z 2  12x 2z 4  72x 2 y 2z 2 I  24xyz4  48x 3yz2 J
 

 48xy2z3  16x 3z3  48x 3 y2z K .
  
At 1,  2, 1 , f  48  12  288 I   48  96 J  192  16  192K
  
 f  348 I  144 J  400 K .
Normal to surface xy2z  3x  z 2 at 1,  2, 1 is  xy2z  3x  z 2  

   
  
 y 2z  3 I  2xyz J  xy2  22 K .
At 1,  2, 1 ,
  
 I  4 J 2K .
Directional derivative at f in the direction of normal to surface
  
  
I  4 J  2 K 1724
 348 I  144 J  400 K  . Ans.
1  16  4 21
Q.No.21: If r is the distance of a point (x, y, z) from the origin, prove that
 1  1 
curl  K grad   grad K .grad   0 , where K is a unit vector in the
 r  r
direction of OZ.
  
Sol.: Let the position vector of point (x, y, z) is R  x I  y J  z K

So r  x 2  y 2  z 2  1/ 2 1

,   x 2  y2  z 2
r

1 / 2
.
   x  I  x 2  y 2  z 2   y J  x 2  y 2  z 2 
1 3 / 2  3 / 2  3 / 2 
grad  x 2  y 2  z 2  z K .
r
  
I J K
 1
Now K grad  0 0 1
r

 x x 2  y2  z2 3 / 2

 y x 2  y2  z 2  3 / 2

 z x 2  y2  z2 3 / 2

 y x 2  y2  z2 
3 / 2 

I  x x 2  y2  z2 
3 / 2 
J
  
I J K
 1   
Now curl K grad  
 r x y z

y x 2  y2  z2 
3 / 2

 x x 2  y2  z2 
3 / 2
0

  2

z 

x x  y2  z2  3 / 2     2 2
 I  z  y x  y  z 
2
 3 / 2  
 J
 2
 
x  y2  z 2 
3 / 2
x    2

x  y2  z 2 3 / 2 
y  K

 x y 
   
 
 3 5 / 2  3 5 / 2
 x   x 2  y 2  z 2  2 z I  y   x 2  y 2  z 2  2z J
 2  2
 2 2

x y z
2 3 / 2  3

 x   x 2  y 2  z 2
 2
5 / 2
.2 x 


 
 K
 2 2

 x  y  z
2 3 / 2  3

 y   x 2  y 2  z 2
 2
5 / 2 
.2 y   
 

  

 
 I  3xzr 5  J  3yzr5  K r 3  3x 2r 5  r 3  3y 2r 5


  .
   
 r 5  3xz I  3yz J  K 3x 2  3y 2  2r 3
 
 

 1 3 / 2
Also K . grad   z x 2  y 2  z 2 .
 r
 1  
 grad K .grad  
r x
2 2
 z x  y  z
2
 
3 / 2     2 2
 I  y  z x  y  z 
2

3 / 2  
 J
 

 
z 

 z x 2  y2  z2 
3 / 2  
 K
  3

   z   x 2  y 2  z 2 
5 / 2    3

.2x  I   z   x 2  y 2  z 2  5 / 2 
.2 y  J
  2    2 
  3

   z   x 2  y 2  z 2 5 / 2

 2z  x 2  y 2  z 2 
3 / 2  
K
  2 
  
 
 r 5 3xz I  3yz J  3z 2  r 3 K  . 
 
 1  1
curl  K grad   grad K .grad 
 r  r
   
  
 3xzr5 I  3yzr5 J  3xzr5 I  3yzr5 J  3r 5 x 2  y 2  z 2  2r 3  r 3 K  0 .  

1 H
Q.No.22: In electromagnetic theory, we have .D   , .H  0 ,   D   ,
c t
1 D 
  H   V  .
c t 
1  2D 1  1  2H 1
Prove that  2H     V  and  2
H      V 
c 2 t 2 c 2 t c t 2 c
Sol.: Consider     D  D   2D     2D
 2D      D   .
1 H
Now   D   (Given)
c t
 1 H 
  2D        
 c t 
1   1  D 
  2 D     V      
c  t  c  t 
1  1  2D
 2D   V    
c 2 t c 2 t 2
1  2D 1 
 2D  2 2
   V  .
c t c2 t
Now consider     H   .H    2H
1 1 D   1 D 
  0    H ,    H  c  V  t 
2
    V 
c c t    
 1   1 D  2
    V         H
 c   c t 
 1   D 

c t 
2
 1
c

   H     V 
1  2H 1  1 H 
  2H  2 2
    V  .    H   c t 
c t c  
*** *** *** *** ***

*** *** ***
***

(1-4) Vector Calculus-Differential Part

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

(1-4) Vector Calculus-Differential Part

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1st Topic

Definition: The derivative of a vector function R  F  t  is defined as

 FGH    GH   F H   FG 

Since F  t   constant  F  t   constant  F  t  .F  t   constant .

Differentiate w.r.t. t, we get

Differentiate w.r.t. t, we get

Space curves (Curves in Space):

(1) Tangent at a point:

Formula for evaluating arc length:

If s be the length of the arc P0 P , then

If R  t  is continuous, then by taking integration, the arc P0 P is given by

This is the required formula for evaluating the length of an arc.

i.e. the curve is a straight line.

 A  B sin 2 t  A  B cos 2 t    A  B   sin 2 t  cos 2 t 

Q.No.3.: R  t m A  t n B , where A, B are constant vectors,

Problem on angle between the tangents:

To find: Angle between the tangents T1 and T2 .

Since we know T1. T2  T1 . T2 cos  .

i.e. we have to find: 

Then the required  is given by the relation

T1. T2  T1 . T2 cos   2  2   2.2   3 3  17 17 cos 

Problems for evaluating unit tangent vector:

y  4t  5 , z  2t 2  6t , where t is any variable.

Consequently, we have to evaluate:

From (i) and (ii), we get

Remarks: Another way to calculate curvature and torsion

From (i) and (ii), we have

 sinh  cosh  4   cosh   I  sinh   J    sinh   I  cosh   J  2 K  

which is the required equation of osculating plane.

*** *** *** *** ***

Let the position of a particle P at time t (scalar variable) on a path C be R(t).

Relative velocity and acceleration:

(vector) of P2 relative to P1  velocity (vector) of P2  velocity (vector) of P1

Component of A along the normal  A  Re solved part of A along the tangent

Q.No.3.: A particle moves along a curve x  e  t , y  2 cos 3t , z  2 sin 3t , where t is

Magnitude of velocity vector   e    6 sin 3t 

At time t = 0 , we get V  1  36  37 . Ans.

Magnitude of acceleration  e    18 cos 3t 

 e  2 t  324 cos 2 3t  324 sin 2 3t

At t = 0 , A  1  324  325 . Ans.

Q.No.4.: A particle moves on the curve x  2t 2 , y  t 2  4t , z  3t  5 , where t is the

 , show by vector method, acceleration is equal to  2 R .

Sol.: Let the position vector of a particle in a circle is.

velocity and acceleration at any point are given by v 0e and

   2n sec   c  nP  P  e  2n sec   c (i)

 v  c sec2 .e  2n sec   nv 0 / c

i.e. 4 2 kmph towards the south east.

seems to come from a direction inclined at an angle tan 1 2 to the north of

Then, the velocity of the wind relative to person is Vw  Vp .

Now its magnitude  4 2  12  17 mph

 Relative velocity will be V21  V1  V2

V21  1.282  19.042  364.16  19.08 knots per hour

To find the direction, we have

Scalar point function:

scalar denoted by f  R  , then f  R  is called a scalar point function in E. The

region E so defined is called a scalar field.

Thus, if F (x, y, z) be a vector point function, then

Vector operator del:

Del applied to scalar point functions: (Gradient)

f x, y, z  has the same value as at P.

f x, y, z  =c is a level surface.

Let PR  R  be a point on a neighbouring level surface f  f  c , where the

Now, if P lies on the same level surface as P, then  f  0

* * * * ***

* * * * ***