Chapter 6: Problem 14
Describe each vector field by drawing some of its vectors. $$\mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=\frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i}-\frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Visualize by plotting vectors, e.g., \(\mathbf{i}-\mathbf{j}\) at \((1,1,1)\), \(-\mathbf{j}\) at \((1,0,1)\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Vector Field
The given vector field is \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=\frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i}-\frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j} \). This is a three-dimensional vector field expressed in terms of the unit vectors \( \mathbf{i} \) and \( \mathbf{j} \). It means that for each point \((x, y, z)\), the vector has a component \(\frac{y}{z}\) along the x-axis and \(-\frac{x}{z}\) along the y-axis.
02
Visualize the Field
To visualize the vector field, consider a few specific points in space \((x, y, z)\) and calculate the corresponding vector \(\mathbf{F}(x, y, z)\) for each point. For example, at the point \((1, 1, 1)\), the vector is \(\mathbf{F}(1,1,1) = \mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j}\). At \((1, 0, 1)\), the vector is \(\mathbf{F}(1,0,1) = -\mathbf{j}\). At \((0, 1, 1)\), it is \(\mathbf{F}(0,1,1) = \mathbf{i}\).
03
Draw the Vectors
Select several points in the plane where \(z = 1\) and draw the vectors. For example, draw \(\mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j}\) at \((1, 1)\), \(-\mathbf{j}\) at \((1, 0)\), and \(\mathbf{i}\) at \((0, 1)\). Each vector starts at the point \((x, y)\) and has a direction and magnitude determined by \((\frac{y}{z}, -\frac{x}{z})\). This step requires plotting these vectors to see the pattern.
04
Analyze the Field Behavior
Notice that as \(|z|\) increases, the vectors become smaller in magnitude since both components, \(\frac{y}{z}\) and \(-\frac{x}{z}\), are divided by \(z\). On the plane \(z=1\), vectors tend to have a consistent size that can be more easily visualized. Symmetry can also be observed, for example, that \(\mathbf{F}(-x, y, z)\) will have reversed x-component compared to \(\mathbf{F}(x, y, z)\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Three-Dimensional Vector Field
A three-dimensional vector field like \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=\frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i}-\frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j} \) describes a space where each point \(x, y, z\) in three-dimensional space has a corresponding vector. These vectors represent direction and magnitude within that space.
Unlike two-dimensional fields, three-dimensional fields consider the influence of all three coordinate axes: the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. In this field, vectors depend on the position's x, y, z coordinates, and their behavior changes across the space.
The formula \( \frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i}-\frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j} \) provides the x and y components, highlighting the influence of y and x values scaled by z, which acts as a divisor affecting vector magnitude and direction.
Unlike two-dimensional fields, three-dimensional fields consider the influence of all three coordinate axes: the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. In this field, vectors depend on the position's x, y, z coordinates, and their behavior changes across the space.
The formula \( \frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i}-\frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j} \) provides the x and y components, highlighting the influence of y and x values scaled by z, which acts as a divisor affecting vector magnitude and direction.
Vector Visualization
Visualizing a vector field is key to understanding its behavior. For the vector field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = \frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i} - \frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j} \), we can choose specific points to determine how vectors look within the field.
Here are some points:
By plotting these vectors, one can grab a clearer picture of how vectors behave at these points and the apparent symmetry patterns in the field.
Here are some points:
- At \(1, 1, 1\), the vector is \( \mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j} \), pointing equally in the positive x-direction and negative y-direction.
- At \(1, 0, 1\), \( \mathbf{F}(1, 0, 1) = -\mathbf{j} \), meaning the vector points downward along the y-axis.
- At \(0, 1, 1\), \( \mathbf{F}(0, 1, 1) = \mathbf{i} \), indicating a direction along the positive x-axis.
By plotting these vectors, one can grab a clearer picture of how vectors behave at these points and the apparent symmetry patterns in the field.
Vector Components
The components of a vector field provide clear insight into how vectors are constructed and behave. In our example \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=\frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i}-\frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j} \), the components are derived from the expressions \( \frac{y}{z} \) and \( -\frac{x}{z} \).
Since z acts as a divisor, as it increases, both x and y components decrease in magnitude, resulting in smaller vectors. This division by z emphasizes z's role in scaling the components, impacting the field's behavior as z varies.
- \( \frac{y}{z} \) represents the vector's horizontal component along the x-axis. The sign and magnitude of this component depends on the values of y and z.
- \( -\frac{x}{z} \) determines the vertical component along the y-axis, its magnitude and direction influenced by x and z.
Since z acts as a divisor, as it increases, both x and y components decrease in magnitude, resulting in smaller vectors. This division by z emphasizes z's role in scaling the components, impacting the field's behavior as z varies.
Field Behavior Analysis
Analyzing a vector field involves observing and understanding how vectors behave and relate to each other across the field. The vector field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=\frac{y}{z} \mathbf{i}-\frac{x}{z} \mathbf{j} \) shows several noteworthy behaviors.
As \(|z|\) increases, vectors decrease in size. This inverse relationship is because the magnitudes \( \frac{y}{z} \) and \( -\frac{x}{z} \) diminish as z goes up.
The symmetry in vector behavior is visible when considering negative x-values; \( \mathbf{F}(-x, y, z) \) gives vectors with the x component reversed compared to \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) \).
By evaluating these patterns, one can predict vector trends as they vary with different points and gain insights into how the field might impact phenomena within its space.
As \(|z|\) increases, vectors decrease in size. This inverse relationship is because the magnitudes \( \frac{y}{z} \) and \( -\frac{x}{z} \) diminish as z goes up.
The symmetry in vector behavior is visible when considering negative x-values; \( \mathbf{F}(-x, y, z) \) gives vectors with the x component reversed compared to \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) \).
By evaluating these patterns, one can predict vector trends as they vary with different points and gain insights into how the field might impact phenomena within its space.