MATH REVIEW

CONTENT

1. Basic law of vector algebra

2. Orthogonal coordinate system
3. Operators
 Gradient
 Divergence
 Curl
 Laplacian
CONTENT

1. Basic law of vector algebra

2. Orthogonal coordinate system
3. Operators
 Gradient
 Divergence
 Curl
 Laplacian
BASIC LAW OF
VECTOR
ALGEBRA
• A vector is
mathematical object that
resembles an arrow.
Vector has magnitude
and points in the
direction of unit vector .
 BASIC LAWS OF
VECTOR
ALGEBRA
In the Cartesian coordinate
system, can be decomposed
as:
+
, , : unit vector
, , : scalar components along
x, y, z axes

/A
BASIC LAWS OF
VECTOR
ALGEBRA
BASIC LAWS OF
VECTOR ALGEBRA-
VECTOR
MULTIPLICATION

• Scalar or dot product

.
+
 BASIC LAWS OF
VECTOR ALGEBRA-
VECTOR
MULTIPLICATION

Vector (or cross) product

=-
+
BASIC LAWS OF VECTOR ALGEBRA- SCALAR
AND VECTOR TRIPLE PRODUCT
QUESTIONS

1. When are two vectors equal and when are they identical?
2. If , what is ?
3. If , what is ?
4. Is (. ) a vector triple product?
5. If = , does it follow that =
5’ RELAX TIME-
VECTOR TRIPLE
PRODUCT

Given , , finding and compare ).

ANSWER
CONTENT

1. Basic law of vector algebra

2. Orthogonal coordinate system
3. Operators
 Gradient
 Divergence
 Curl
 Laplacian
ORTHOGONA
L
COORDINATE
SYSTEMS-
CARTESIAN
COORDINATE
ORTHOGONAL
COORDINATE
SYSTEMS-
CYLINDRICAL
COORDINATE
ORTHOGONAL
COORDINATE
SYSTEMS-
SPHERICAL
COORDINATE
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE
CONTENT

1. Basic law of vector algebra

2. Orthogonal coordinate system
3. Operators
 Gradient
 Divergence
 Curl
 Laplacian
GRADIENT OF A
SCALAR FIELD
Gradient of a scalar
field is a vector with
magnitude equal to the
maximum rate of change
of the physical quantity
per unit distance and
pointing in the direction
of maximum increase.
Gradient of temperature
T is denoted as:
The power density radiated by a star decreases
radially as
GRADIENT OF A SCALAR FIELD

In Cartesian coordinate:
In cylindrical coordinate:
In spherical coordinate:
EXAMPLE

The power density radiated by a star

decreases radially as .
 DIVERGENCE OF
A VECTOR FIELD

The total flux through the

surface S:
.d
yz
 Divergence theorem
- Divergence of at a point as
the net flux flowing outward
flux per through the surface of
an imaginary infinitesimal
volume centered at that point.
- is a scalar.

DIVERGENCE OF A VECTOR FIELD

DIVERGE
NCE OF A
VECTOR
FIELD-
EXAMPLE
CURL (OR
ROTATION) OF A
VECTOR FIELD
- Put a wheel inside a water
flow (the flow at the surface is
faster) at point P
- Rotate the wheel hub so that it
reaches the max rotation speed.
P
- The max rotation speed and
the direction of the wheel hub is
the magnitude and direction of
the water flow field at point P.
 CURL OR
ROTATION OF A
VECTOR FIELD
Consider the magnetic flux
density induced by a infinite
wire carrying a dc current I,

The rotation of around a closed

contour C is:
CURL OF A
VECTOR FIELD

is the circulation of per

unit area, with the area s
of the contour C being
oriented such that the
circulation is maximum.
STOKES ‘S THEOREM
EXAMPLE
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
LAPLACIAN
 HOMEWORK
z
P’(x’,y’,z’)
Verify the following equation
⃗
𝑅
⃗
𝑟
′ P (x,y,z)
1.
⃗𝑟
2. y

3. , except r=0