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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.

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287 views

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
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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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

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