Vector Calculus

DR. K. Nyachionjeka(Ph.D.)
 DIFFERENTIAL LENGTH, AREA, AND
VOLUME
• Vector calculus—integration and differentiation of vectors.

A. Cartesian Coordinate Systems

• From Figure 3.1, we notice that the differential displacement dl at
point S is the vector from point
1. Differential displacement is given by

2. Differential normal surface area is given by

and illustrated in Figure 3.2.

3. Differential volume is given by

• Learn how to derive them from Figures 3.1 and 3.2.

• From eqs. (3.1) to (3.3) that dl and dS are vectors, whereas dv is a
scalar.
• From Figure 3.1 that if we move from point P to Q (or Q to P), for
example, because we are moving in the y-direction
• If we move from Q to S (or S to Q),
because we have to move
• Similarly, to move from D to Q (or Q to D) would mean that

• The differential surface (or area) element dS may generally be defined

as

• Where dS is the area of the surface element.

• an is a unit vector normal to the surface dS (and directed away

from the volume if dS is part of the surface describing a
volume).
• If we consider surface ABCD in Figure 3.1, for example, dS = dy dz
ax,
• Whereas for surface PQRS, dS=2dydzax because an=-ax is normal to
PQRS
• Always remember the differential element dl and how to get
dS and dv from it

• When dl is remembered, dS and dv can easily be found

 B. Cylindrical Coordinate Systems
• From Figure 3.3, the differential elements in cylindrical coordinates can
be found:
1. Differential displacement is given by

2. Differential normal surface area is given by

and illustrated in Figure 3.4.
3. Differential volume is given by

• We need only remember dl; dS and dv can easily be obtained from dl.
• For example, dS along az is the product of the components of dl along

• Also, dv is the product of the three components of dl that is,

C. Spherical Coordinate Systems
• Differential elements in spherical coordinates can be found as follows:
1. The differential displacement is

2. The differential normal surface area is

• Point 2 is illustrated in Figure 3.6.
3. The differential volume is

Only dl is needed, from which dS and dv are easily obtained.

E.g., dS along is obtained as the product of the components of dl
that is,
the product of the three components of dl, that is,
 Example:
Consider the object shown in Figure 3.7. Calculate
(a) The length BC (d) The surface area ABO
(b) The length CD (e) The surface area AOFD
(c) The surface area ABCD (f) The volume ABDCFO