SEVERAL VARIABLES CALCULUS FOR

NON-MAJORS

Andongwisye J Mwakisisile

Department of Mathematics
Collage of Natural and Applied Science ( CoNAS )
University of Dar es salaam ( UDSM )

December 14, 2023

Andongwisye J Mwakisisile UDSM December 14, 2023 1 / 14

Overview

1 Divergence of vector field

2 Curl of a vector field

3 Exercises

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 Divergence of vector field

Divergence of vector field

Divergence of vector field: The divergence is generally denoted by

”div”.

The divergence of a vector field can be calculated by

taking the scalar product of the vector operator
applied to the vector field.

In vector calculus, divergence is a vector operator

that operates on a vector field, producing a scalar
field giving the quantity of the vector field’s source
at each point.

More technically, the divergence represents the

volume density of the outward flux of a vector field
from an infinitesimal volume around a given point.
Andongwisye J Mwakisisile UDSM December 14, 2023 3 / 14
 Divergence of vector field

Divergence of vector field cont. . .

Divergence of vector field: As an example, consider air as it is heated or

cooled. The velocity of the air at each point defines
a vector field.

While air is heated in a region, it expands in all

directions, and thus the velocity field points outward
from that region.

The divergence of the velocity field in that region

would thus have a positive value. While the air is
cooled and thus contracting, the divergence of the
velocity has a negative value.

Andongwisye J Mwakisisile UDSM December 14, 2023 4 / 14

 ∫∫S A (r ) ⋅ ds
w
∇ ⋅ A ( r ) = lim
Divergence of vector field
∆v →0 ∆v
Divergence of vector where
fieldthecont. ..
surface S is a closed surface that completely
surrounds a very small volume ∆v at point r , and where ds
points outward from the closed surface.
Divergence of vector field: Divergence basically indicate the amount of
Fromfield
vector the definition of surface integral,
that is converging to weor see that divergence
diverging
basically indicates the amount of vector field A ( r ) that is
from, a given point.
converging to, or diverging from, a given point.

For example, consider these vector fields in the region of a

specific point:
∆v ∆v

∇ ⋅ A (r ) < 0 ∇ ⋅ A (r ) > 0

Figure 1: Postive The

Jim Stiles andUniv. nagative
of Kansas divergence Dept. of EECS

Andongwisye J Mwakisisile UDSM December 14, 2023 5 / 14

 Divergence of vector field

Divergence of vector field cont. . .

9/16/2005 The Divergence of a Vector Field.doc 2/8

9/16/2005 The Divergence of a Vector Field.doc 2/8
Divergence of vector field:
The field on the left is converging to a point, and therefore the
The field on
divergence of the
the left is converging
vector field at thattopoint
a point, and therefore the
is negative.
divergence the
Conversely, of the vector
vector fieldfield at right
on the that point is negative.
is diverging from a
Conversely,
point. the vector
As a result, field on the
the divergence right
of the is diverging
vector field at from
that a
point.is As
point a result,
greater thanthe divergence of the vector field at that
zero.
point is greater than zero.
Consider some other vector fields in the region of a specific
point:
Consider some other vector fields in the region of a specific
point:

∇ ⋅ A (r ) = 0 ∇ ⋅ A (r ) = 0
∇ ⋅ A (r ) = 0 ∇ ⋅ A (r ) = 0
For each of these vector fields, the surface integral is zero.
Over some portions of the surface, the normal component is
Andongwisye J Mwakisisile For each of these
UDSM vector fields, the surface integral
December 14,is2023
zero. 6 / 14
 Consider some other vector fields in the region of a specific
Divergence of vector field
point:

Divergence of vector field cont. . .

∇ ⋅ A (r ) = 0 ∇ ⋅ A (r ) = 0
Divergence of vector field:
For each of these vector fields, the surface integral is zero.
Over some portions of the surface, the normal component is
positive, whereas on other portions, the normal component is
negative. However, integration over the entire surface is equal
to zero—the divergence of the vector field at this point is zero.

* Generally, the divergence of a vector field results in a scalar

field (divergence) that is positive in some regions in space,
negative other regions, and zero elsewhere.

* For most physical problems, the divergence of a vector field

provides a scalar field that represents the sources of the
vector field.

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

Andongwisye J Mwakisisile UDSM December 14, 2023 7 / 14

 Divergence of vector field

Divergence of vector field cont. . .

Divergence of vector field: If F (x, y, z) is a continuously differentiable

vector field F = F1 i + F2 j + F3 k, then the
divergence is defined as the scalar valued function:
 
∂ ∂ ∂
div(F) = ∇.F = , , .(F1 , F2 , F3 )
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂F1 ∂F2 ∂F3
= + + (1)
∂x ∂y ∂z

Example
Find the divergence of F = 2xzi − xyj − 2k.

Andongwisye J Mwakisisile UDSM December 14, 2023 8 / 14

 Curl of a vector field

Curl of a vector field

Curl of a vector field: In vector calculus, the curl, also known as rotor, is
a vector operator that describes the infinitesimal
circulation of a vector field in three-dimensional
Euclidean space.

The curl at a point in the field is represented by a

vector whose length and direction denote the
magnitude and axis of the maximum circulation. A
vector field whose curl is zero is called irrotational.

Unlike the gradient and divergence, curl as formulated

in vector calculus does not generalize simply to other
dimensions; some generalizations are possible, but only
in three dimensions is the geometrically defined curl of
a vector field again a vector field.
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 Curl of a vector field

Curl of a vector field cont. . .

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 Curl of a vector field

Curl of a vector field cont. . .

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 Curl of a vector field

Curl of a vector field cont. . .

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 Curl of a vector field

Curl of a vector field cont. . .

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 Exercises

Exercises

Exercises: 1. Estimate how much the value of

f (x, y, z) = xey + yz
will change if the point P (x, y, z) moves 0.1 unit from
P0 (2, 0, 0) straight towards P1 (4, 1, −2).

2. Show that the curl of

−y x
F = 2 2
i+ 2 j + zk
x +y x + y2
is zero.

3. Find the vector field with twice differentiable

components whose curl is xi + yj + zk or prove that
no such field exist.

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