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Lecture1: Introduction To Scalar and Vector Fields, Gradient

The document provides an introduction to scalar and vector point functions, the vector differential operator (del or nabla), gradient, and examples of calculating the gradient. Some key points: - A scalar point function associates a scalar quantity with each point in space, like temperature. A vector point function associates a vector quantity, like velocity. - Del (∇) is the vector differential operator useful for defining gradient, divergence and curl. - The gradient of a scalar function f at a point is the vector ∇f, which gives the greatest rate of increase of f and is normal to surfaces where f is constant. - Examples show calculating the gradient of functions at points and finding the unit normal vector to a surface

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Akanksha Thakur
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51 views10 pages

Lecture1: Introduction To Scalar and Vector Fields, Gradient

The document provides an introduction to scalar and vector point functions, the vector differential operator (del or nabla), gradient, and examples of calculating the gradient. Some key points: - A scalar point function associates a scalar quantity with each point in space, like temperature. A vector point function associates a vector quantity, like velocity. - Del (∇) is the vector differential operator useful for defining gradient, divergence and curl. - The gradient of a scalar function f at a point is the vector ∇f, which gives the greatest rate of increase of f and is normal to surfaces where f is constant. - Examples show calculating the gradient of functions at points and finding the unit normal vector to a surface

Uploaded by

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

B.Tech., 1st Semester

Applied Mathematics-I [MATH144]

Module IV: Vector Calculus

Lecture1: Introduction to Scalar and Vector Fields, Gradient

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AIAS

Scalar point function: A function ф 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 is said to be a scalar point function if it


associates a scalar quantity with every point in the space. The temperature distribution in a
heated body, potential due to gravity, density of a body are some of the examples of scalar
point function.

Vector point function: A function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 is said to be a vector point function if it


associates a vector quantity with every point in the space. The velocity of a moving fluid or
particle, gravitational force or electric intensity are some of the examples of scalar point
function.

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AIAS

Vector differential operator / Del or Nabla ( 𝛁 ) : The vector differential operator del is
denoted by ∇ . It is defined as
∂ ∂ ∂
∇= i ∂x + j ∂y + k ∂z

It is useful in defining gradient, divergence and curl.

Gradient: The gradient of a scalar point function ф is written as grad ф (𝑖. 𝑒. ∇ф) and is
defined as
∂ ∂ ∂
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 ф = ∇ф = i +j +k ф
∂x ∂y ∂z

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Further, if function ф 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 is a scalar point function of three independent variable and


its total differential is given by
∂ф ∂ф ∂ф
dф = dx + dy + dz
∂x ∂y ∂z

∂ф ∂ф ∂ф
= i ∂x
+j ∂y
+k ∂z
. i dx + j dy + k dz

= ∇ф . dr = ∇ф dr cos θ

Where 𝜃 is the angle between the direction of ∇ф and dr.

If 𝑑𝑟 and ∇ф are in the same direction, then θ = 0 thus cos θ = 1

And dф = ∇ф dr

The value of dф is greatest when θ = 0 . It is the property of ∇ф that gives its name, the
gradient of ф.

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Normal: if function ф 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐 represent a family of surfaces for different values of


constants c. On differentiating we get dф = 0

But dф = ∇ф . 𝑑𝑟 therefore ∇ф. 𝑑𝑟 = 0

The scalar product of two vectors ∇ф and 𝑑𝑟 being zero, ∇ф and 𝑑𝑟 are perpendicular to
each other and therefore 𝑑𝑟 is in the direction of tangent to the given surface.

Thus 𝛁ф is a vector normal to the surface ф 𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛 = 𝒄 .

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AIAS

Example: If ф 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑦 3 𝑧 2 ; find 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 ф at the point (1, -2, -1).

Solution: we know that

∂ ∂ ∂
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 ф = ∇ф = i +j +k ф
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂ ∂ ∂
= i ∂x + j ∂y + k ∂z (3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑦 3 𝑧 2 )

∂(3𝑥 2 𝑦 −𝑦 3 𝑧 2 ) ∂(3𝑥 2 𝑦 −𝑦 3 𝑧 2 ) ∂(3𝑥 2 𝑦 −𝑦 3 𝑧 2 )


= i +j +k
∂x ∂y ∂z

= i 6xy + j 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 2 𝑧 2 + k(−2𝑦 3 𝑧)

Therefore, 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 ф at the point (1, -2, -1)

= i{6.1. (−2)} + j{3 1 − 3(4)(1)} + k{(−2)(−8)(−1)}

= −12i − 9j − 16k Answer

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AIAS

Example: Find a unit normal to the surface 𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 + 2𝑧 2 = 6 at the point P (2, 0 , 1).

Solution: we know that ф 𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 + 2𝑧 2 = 6

And ∇ф is a vector normal to the surface ф 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐


∂ ∂ ∂
Therefore, normal vector is ∇ф = i ∂x + j ∂y + k ∂z ф

∂ ∂ ∂
= i ∂x + j ∂y + k ∂z (𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 + 2𝑧 2 − 6)

∂(𝑥 2 +3𝑦 2 +2𝑧 2 −6) ∂(𝑥 2 +3𝑦 2 +2𝑧 2 −6)


= i ∂x
+j ∂y
+
∂(𝑥 2 +3𝑦 2 +2𝑧 2 −6)
k ∂z

= i 2x + j 6𝑦 + k(4𝑧)
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Therefore, 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 ф at the point (2, 0, 1) is normal vector given by ∇ф = 4𝑖 + 4𝑘


∇ф (4𝑖+4𝑘) 1
Unit normal vector given by 𝑛 = = = (𝑖 + 𝑘) Answer
∇ф 16+16 2

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Practice Questions: AIAS

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AIAS

Thank you!

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