Scribd
Upload
595 views3 pages

9.8 Divergence of A Vector Field: Vxyzvxyzivxyzjvxyzk V V V V V X y Z

This document defines and provides examples of the divergence and curl of vector fields. The divergence of a vector field is a scalar quantity that represents how much a vector field spreads out or compresses together at a point. The curl of a vector field is a vector quantity that represents how much the vector field rotates or circulates at a point. Some key points made are that the divergence and curl are independent of the coordinate system used and that the curl of a gradient is always zero while the divergence of a curl is always zero.

Uploaded by

Ruthra Devi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
595 views3 pages

9.8 Divergence of A Vector Field: Vxyzvxyzivxyzjvxyzk V V V V V X y Z

This document defines and provides examples of the divergence and curl of vector fields. The divergence of a vector field is a scalar quantity that represents how much a vector field spreads out or compresses together at a point. The curl of a vector field is a vector quantity that represents how much the vector field rotates or circulates at a point. Some key points made are that the divergence and curl are independent of the coordinate system used and that the curl of a gradient is always zero while the divergence of a curl is always zero.

Uploaded by

Ruthra Devi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Kreyszig ; 9-11

9.8 Divergence of a Vector Field


A differentiable vector function

v (x , y , z) = v1 (x , y , z)iˆ + v2 (x , y , z) ˆj + v3 (x , y , z)kˆ


The divergence of v is defined as
 ∂v ∂v ∂v
div v = 1 + 2 + 3
∂x ∂y ∂z

Using del operator


  ∂ ∂ ∂  
div v ⇒  ˆi + ˆj + kˆ  • (v1 ˆi + v2 ˆj + v3 kˆ) ≡ ∇ • v : a scalar function
 ∂x ∂y ∂z 

Theorem 1 Invariance of the divergence



div v is a scalar function independent of coordinate systems
In xyz -space with v1 , v2 , v3 In x * y * z * -space with v1* , v3* , v3*
 ∂v ∂v ∂v  ∂v * ∂v * ∂v *
→ div v = 1 + 2 + 3 → div v = 1* + 2* + *3
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x ∂y ∂z

It will be proved in 10.7

• If f is twice differentiable
∂f ∂f ∂f
grad f = ˆi + ˆj + kˆ
∂x ∂y ∂z

Take the divergence


∂2 f ∂2 f ∂2 f ∂2 ∂2 ∂2
div(grad=f) + + ⇒ ∇2 f : ∇2 ≡ + 2 + 2 , Laplace operator
∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2 ∂x 2
∂y ∂z
→ div(gradf ) = ∇2 f
Kreyszig ; 9-12
Example 2 Flow of a Compressible fluid. Physical Meaning of the Divergence

A small box B with a volume ∆V =∆x∆y∆z .


No source or sink in the volume.
Fluid flows through the box B.

The fluid velocity vector



v = v1 ˆi + v2 ˆj + v3 kˆ

Flux density is defined as


 
u =ρv =u1 iˆ + u2 ˆj + u3 kˆ
↑
Density of the fluid

The flux density is the transfer of certain quantity across a unit area per unit time.
↑
Mass of fluid in this case

• Loss of mass by outward flow through surfaces of B


(1) Loss of mass due to flow in y direction during a time interval ∆t
∆V
(u2 )y +∆y ∆x∆z ∆t + {−(u2 )y } ∆x∆z ∆t ⇒ {(u2 )y +∆y − (u2 )y } ∆x∆z ∆t ⇒ ∆u2 ∆t
∆y
↑ = ∆u2
(2) Loss due to flow in x direction during ∆t
∆V
(u1 )x +∆x ∆y∆z ∆t + {−(u1 )x } ∆y∆z ∆t ⇒ ∆u1 ∆t
∆x

(3) Loss due to flow in z direction during ∆t


∆V
(u3 )z+∆z ∆x∆y ∆t + {−(u3 )z } ∆x∆y ∆t ⇒ ∆u3 ∆t
∆z

The total loss of mass in B during ∆t


 ∆u1 ∆u2 ∆u3  ∂ ( ρ∆V )
 + +  ∆V ∆t =− ∆t
 ∆x ∆y ∆z  ∂t
↑ ↑ Reduced mass inside B.
Loss by flow through six side surfaces of B.

 ∂ρ
→ div u = − : continuity equation, conservation of mass
∂t

∂ρ 
For a steady flow, =0 → div u = 0
∂t

For a constant ρ (incompressible) → div v = 0 , condition of incompressibility
Kreyszig ; 9-13
9.9 Curl of a Vector Field

The curl of a vector function v (x , y , z) = v1 ˆi + v2 ˆj + v3 kˆ is defined as
iˆ j kˆ
  ∂ ∂ ∂
curl v = ∇ × v =
∂x ∂y ∂z
v1 v2 v3

 ∂ ∂  ∂ ∂   ∂ ∂ 
⇒  v3 − v2  iˆ +  v1 − v3  ˆj +  v2 − v1  kˆ
 ∂y ∂z   ∂z ∂x   ∂x ∂y 

Example 1 Curl of a Vector Function


 
A vector function is given, v =yziˆ + 3zxjˆ + zkˆ , find the curl of v
ˆi j kˆ
 ∂ ∂ ∂
=∇×v ⇒ −3xiˆ + yjˆ + 2zkˆ
∂x ∂y ∂z
yz 3zx z

Example 2 Rotation of a rigid body



The rotation is described by the angular speed vector w .
→ Its direction : right hand rule
Its magnitude : angular speed, ω
  
The linear speed of a point on the body : v= w × r


Let the axis of rotation be z axis, w = ωkˆ
ˆi j kˆ
  
→ v= w × r ⇒ 0 0 ω ⇒ −ωy iˆ + ωx ˆj
x y z


The curl of v
iˆ j kˆ
 ∂ ∂ ∂  
=curl v ⇒ 2ωkˆ → curl v = 2w
∂x ∂y ∂z
−ωy ωx 0

Theorem 2 Grad, Div, Curl


The curl of the gradient of a scalar function is always zero
∇ × (∇ f ) = 0 : irrotational

The divergence of the curl of a vector function is always zero



∇ • (∇ × v ) = 0

Theorem 3 Invariance of the curl



curl v is a vector independent of coordinate systems

You might also like