Differential Calculus

Del
 Gradient

If Ф is a scalar function, then gradient of Ф is

Divergence
 Geometrical interpretation
It is a measure of how much the vector diverges (spreads out ) from the point under
consideration.

Divergence denotes only the magnitude of change and so, it is a scalar quantity. It does not have a
direction.

https://youtu.be/c0MR-vWiUPU
Imagine that the vector field F pictured below gives the velocity of some fluid flow. It appears that the
fluid is exploding outward from the origin.

The divergence of the above vector field is

positive since the flow is expanding.
Fig a shows a +ve divergence

Fig b shows a -ve divergence

Fig c shows zero divergence

 Divergence is a positive qty.

Divergence is a negative qty.

When the initial flow rate is less than the final flow rate, divergence is positive.

If the initial flow rate is greater than the final flow rate divergence is negative.
Divergence is zero.
since the vectors are not spreading out at all
Curl
 Geometrical interpretation

It is a measure of how much the vector curls around the point under consideration

Existence of curl of the vector field at a point of space indicates circulation.

https://youtu.be/c0MR-vWiUPU
Curl is a measure of how much a vector field circulates or rotates about a given point.

When the flow is counter-clockwise, curl is considered to be positive and when it is

clock-wise, curl is negative.

Roughly speaking, divergence measures the tendency of the fluid to collect or disperse
at a point, and curl measures the tendency of the fluid to swirl around the point.
 Zero curl in all cases

A vector field whose curl is zero is called irrotational or curlless fields.

 Exists a substantial curl in the z- direction
Example:
A whirlpool a region of large curl
This vector field has a positive curl value.

This vector field has zero curl value.

This vector field has zero curl value