Chapter 16: Problem 2
Find (a) the curl and (b) the divergence of the vector field. $$ \mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=x^{3} y z^{2} \mathbf{j}+y^{4} z^{3} \mathbf{k} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Curl: \((4y^3 z^3 - 2x^3 y z) \mathbf{i} + 3x^2 y z^2 \mathbf{k}\); Divergence: \(x^3 z^2 + 3y^4 z^2\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand Vector Field Components
The given vector field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = x^{3} y z^{2} \mathbf{j} + y^{4} z^{3} \mathbf{k} \) does not have an \( i \)-component, simplifying our calculations.Identify components: \( F_x = 0 \), \( F_y = x^3 y z^2 \), and \( F_z = y^4 z^3 \).
02
Calculate Curl of Vector Field
The curl of a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \) is given by \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = \left( \frac{\partial R}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial Q}{\partial z} \right) \mathbf{i} + \left( \frac{\partial P}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial R}{\partial x} \right) \mathbf{j} + \left( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \right) \mathbf{k} \).Substitute the components into the formula:- \( \frac{\partial R}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y} (y^4 z^3) = 4y^3 z^3 \)- \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial z} = \frac{\partial}{\partial z} (x^3 y z^2) = 2x^3 y z \).Thus, the \( i \)-component is \( 4y^3 z^3 - 2x^3 y z \).- \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial z} = 0 \), since \( P = 0 \).- \( \frac{\partial R}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x} (y^4 z^3) = 0 \).Thus, the \( j \)-component is \( 0 \).- \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x} (x^3 y z^2) = 3x^2 y z^2 \).- \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 0 \), since \( P = 0 \).Thus, the \( k \)-component is \( 3x^2 y z^2 \).Therefore, \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = (4y^3 z^3 - 2x^3 y z) \mathbf{i} + 0 \mathbf{j} + 3x^2 y z^2 \mathbf{k} \).
03
Calculate Divergence of Vector Field
The divergence of a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \) is given by \( abla \cdot \mathbf{F} = \frac{\partial P}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial R}{\partial z} \).Substitute the components into the formula:- \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = 0 \), since \( P = 0 \).- \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y} (x^3 y z^2) = x^3 z^2 \).- \( \frac{\partial R}{\partial z} = \frac{\partial}{\partial z} (y^4 z^3) = 3y^4 z^2 \).Thus, \( abla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 0 + x^3 z^2 + 3y^4 z^2 = x^3 z^2 + 3y^4 z^2 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Curl of a Vector Field
In vector calculus, the curl of a vector field helps us understand the rotation at a point in 3D space. It's particularly useful in physics for studying fluid dynamics and electromagnetism.
For a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \), the curl is given by the expression \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = \left( \frac{\partial R}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial Q}{\partial z} \right) \mathbf{i} + \left( \frac{\partial P}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial R}{\partial x} \right) \mathbf{j} + \left( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \right) \mathbf{k} \).
Here's a breakdown:
For a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \), the curl is given by the expression \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = \left( \frac{\partial R}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial Q}{\partial z} \right) \mathbf{i} + \left( \frac{\partial P}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial R}{\partial x} \right) \mathbf{j} + \left( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \right) \mathbf{k} \).
Here's a breakdown:
- The \( i \)-component involves the difference of the partial derivative of \( R \) with respect to \( y \) and \( Q \) with respect to \( z \).
- The \( j \)-component is the difference between partials of \( P \) with respect to \( z \) and \( R \) with respect to \( x \).
- The \( k \)-component involves the difference of \( Q \) with respect to \( x \) and \( P \) with respect to \( y \).
- Calculate \( \frac{\partial R}{\partial y} \) and \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial z} \) to find the \( i \)-component.
- The \( j \)-component simplifies here as the terms are zero due to \( P = 0 \).
- For the \( k \)-component, find the difference between \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} \) and \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \).
Divergence of a Vector Field
Divergence in a vector field illustrates how a vector field diverges or converges at a given point. It's a scalar-valued operation that is essential in fields like fluid dynamics and electromagnetics.
If you have a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \), then the divergence formula is \( abla \cdot \mathbf{F} = \frac{\partial P}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial R}{\partial z} \).
Let's break it down:
If you have a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \), then the divergence formula is \( abla \cdot \mathbf{F} = \frac{\partial P}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial R}{\partial z} \).
Let's break it down:
- The first term involves the partial derivative of \( P \) with respect to \( x \).
- The second term is the partial derivative of \( Q \) with respect to \( y \).
- The final term involves \( R \) with respect to \( z \).
- Since \( P = 0 \), its derivative with respect to \( x \) is zero.
- Calculate \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = x^3 z^2 \).
- Find \( \frac{\partial R}{\partial z} = 3y^4 z^2 \).
Partial Derivatives
Partial derivatives help us determine how a function changes as one of several variables changes while the others remain constant. They're crucial in multivariable calculus, providing insights for both divergence and curl.
For a function \( f(x, y, z) \), the partial derivative with respect to \( x \), denoted \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \), finds the rate of change in the \( x \)-direction while keeping other variables constant.
Consider a few key points:
For a function \( f(x, y, z) \), the partial derivative with respect to \( x \), denoted \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \), finds the rate of change in the \( x \)-direction while keeping other variables constant.
Consider a few key points:
- The notation \( \frac{\partial}{\partial y} R \) expresses how \( R \) changes as \( y \) alone changes, ignoring variations in \( x \) or \( z \).
- These derivatives can be plugged into the curl and divergence formulas, simplifying the process of obtaining these values.
- In the exercise, observe how partial derivatives play a role in determining the rotation and divergence values for vector fields.