Chapter 18: Problem 25
Verify the identity. $$ \nabla \times(f \mathbf{F})=f(\nabla \times \mathbf{F})+(\nabla f) \times \mathbf{F} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The identity is verified by expanding both sides and showing equality through term-by-term comparison.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Exercise Context
We need to verify a vector calculus identity involving the cross product of a scalar function \( f \) and a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \). This involves applying vector calculus operations like the gradient and curl.
02
Recall Basic Definitions
The definitions are crucial: for a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = (F_1, F_2, F_3) \) and a scalar field \( f \), the gradient is \( abla f = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} \right) \) and the curl is \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = \left( \frac{\partial F_3}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial F_2}{\partial z}, \frac{\partial F_1}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial F_3}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial F_2}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial F_1}{\partial y} \right) \).
03
Express \( \nabla \times (f \mathbf{F}) \) in Terms of Components
Apply the curl operation to the vector field \( f \mathbf{F} = (f F_1, f F_2, f F_3) \): \[abla \times (f \mathbf{F}) = \left( \frac{\partial (fF_3)}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial (fF_2)}{\partial z}, \frac{\partial (fF_1)}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial (fF_3)}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial (fF_2)}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial (fF_1)}{\partial y} \right)\]
04
Use Product Rule for Partial Derivatives
Apply the product rule to differentiate terms like \( \frac{\partial (fF_3)}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} F_3 + f \frac{\partial F_3}{\partial y} \). Use similar rules for all terms obtained in Step 3.
05
Compare With the Right-Hand Side
The right side of the identity is \[ f(abla \times \mathbf{F}) + (abla f) \times \mathbf{F} \]Calculate each part:1. \( f(abla \times \mathbf{F}) = f \left( \begin{array}{c} \frac{\partial F_3}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial F_2}{\partial z} \ \frac{\partial F_1}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial F_3}{\partial x} \ \frac{\partial F_2}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial F_1}{\partial y} \end{array} \right) \).2. \( (abla f) \times \mathbf{F} = abla f \left( \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j}, \mathbf{k} \right) \times \mathbf{F} (F_1, F_2, F_3) \).
06
Combine Terms and Verify Equality
By following through the differentiations in Step 4 and comparing each term with those in the right-hand side expression, verify that both expressions (Step 3's result and Step 5's right-hand sum) are the same.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cross Product
The cross product is a binary operation on two vectors in three-dimensional space. It produces a vector that is perpendicular to both of the original vectors. This operation is commonly used in vector calculus and physics to find a vector orthogonal to a plane.
- To compute the cross product of two vectors \( \mathbf{A} = (A_1, A_2, A_3) \) and \( \mathbf{B} = (B_1, B_2, B_3) \), the formula to use is:
\[ \mathbf{A} \times \mathbf{B} = (A_2B_3 - A_3B_2, A_3B_1 - A_1B_3, A_1B_2 - A_2B_1) \] - The resulting vector's direction is determined using the right-hand rule, a visual mnemonic where the thumb indicates the direction of the resultant vector when your fingers curl in the direction from the first to the second vector.
- The magnitude of the cross product gives the area of the parallelogram formed by the two vectors.
Gradient
The gradient is a vector operation that assigns a vector to each point in the domain of a scalar field. The gradient points in the direction of the greatest rate of increase of the function and its magnitude is the rate of change.
- For a scalar field \( f(x, y, z) \), the gradient is denoted as \( abla f \) and calculated as:
\[ abla f = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} \right) \] - This vector points towards the steepest ascent of the function at any given point.
- The gradient is especially useful in physics and engineering for understanding how physical quantities change in space, and plays a crucial role in the discussed identity involving vector calculus.
Curl
In vector calculus, the curl is an operator that describes the infinitesimal rotation of a vector field. Imagine tiny whirlpools or spirals of fluid rotation that measure the tendency of the field to rotate around a point.
- For a vector field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = (F_1, F_2, F_3) \), the curl is given by:
\[ abla \times \mathbf{F} = \left( \frac{\partial F_3}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial F_2}{\partial z}, \frac{\partial F_1}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial F_3}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial F_2}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial F_1}{\partial y} \right) \] - It results in a vector that represents the axis of rotation and the degree of the twisting in the field.
- Curl is particularly relevant to electromagnetic theory and fluid dynamics, where it explains how vector fields circulate and interact.
Scalar Field
A scalar field assigns a single scalar value to every point in space. Think of it as a landscape where each point has a certain height. This height represents a physical quantity that varies from point to point.
- In mathematical terms, a scalar field \( f \) provides a function \( f(x, y, z) \) mapping points in space to scalar values like temperature, pressure, or density.
- Scalar fields are often visualized using contour plots or level surfaces displaying the function's value across different layers.
- The primary interest in scalar fields in vector calculus is understanding how they interact with vector fields through operations like gradients and products.
Vector Field
A vector field is a function that assigns a vector to every point in space. Imagine each point in space having an arrow pointing in a certain direction with a specific length. This representation is vital for describing various physical phenomena.
- Mathematically, a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \) in three dimensions is represented as \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = (F_1, F_2, F_3) \), where each component \( F_i \) is a function of \( x, y, \) and \( z \).
- Vector fields are used to describe flow fields in fluids, electromagnetic fields, and any system where force and direction are defined at every point.
- Understanding how vector fields interact with scalar fields and under operations like curl is crucial in solving and verifying identities in vector calculus.