Chapter 16: Problem 7
Determine whether or not \(\mathbf{F}\) is a conservative vector field. If it is, find a function \(f\) such that \(\mathbf{F}=\nabla f\) $$ \mathbf{F}(x, y)=\left(y e^{x}+\sin y\right) \mathbf{i}+\left(e^{x}+x \cos y\right) \mathbf{j} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Yes, \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative. The potential function is \( f(x, y) = y e^{x} + x \sin y + C \).
Step by step solution
01
Check if \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative
A vector field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y) = P(x, y) \mathbf{i} + Q(x, y) \mathbf{j} \) is conservative if 1) it is defined on a simply connected domain, and 2) its curl is zero. Here, \( P = y e^{x} + \sin y \) and \( Q = e^{x} + x \cos y \). Compute \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} \) and \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \):- \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(e^{x} + x \cos y) = e^{x} + \cos y \)- \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(y e^{x} + \sin y) = e^{x} + \cos y \)Since \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \), \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative.
02
Find potential function \( f \)
Since \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative, we find a function \( f(x, y) \) such that \( abla f = \mathbf{F} \). This requires:- \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = P = y e^{x} + \sin y \) - \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = Q = e^{x} + x \cos y \)Start with \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = y e^{x} + \sin y \) and integrate with respect to \( x \):\[ f(x, y) = \int (y e^{x} + \sin y) \, dx = y e^{x} + x \sin y + g(y) \]Here, \( g(y) \) is an unknown function of \( y \).
03
Determine \( g(y) \)
Differentiate the partial solution \( f(x, y) = y e^{x} + x \sin y + g(y) \) with respect to \( y \), and set it equal to \( Q \):- \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = e^{x} + x \cos y + g'(y)\)Since \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = Q = e^{x} + x \cos y \), it follows that:- \( e^{x} + x \cos y + g'(y) = e^{x} + x \cos y \)Thus, \( g'(y) = 0 \), which implies \( g(y) \) is a constant. Assume \( g(y) = C \) for simplicity.
04
Solution expression
Therefore, the scalar potential function \( f \) is:\[ f(x, y) = y e^{x} + x \sin y + C \]where \( C \) is an arbitrary constant. This confirms \( \mathbf{F} \) is indeed a conservative vector field with potential function \( f(x, y) = y e^{x} + x \sin y + C \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Potential Function
A potential function, often denoted by \( f \), is a scalar-valued function whose gradient yields a given vector field \( \mathbf{F} \). This means that if you have a conservative vector field, you can express it as \( \mathbf{F} = abla f \). Understanding this concept is crucial, as it allows us to identify the existence of a potential function, simplifying many problems involving vector fields.
- If a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \) can be expressed as the gradient of \( f \), then \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative.
- The potential function \( f(x, y) \) is found such that its partial derivatives align with the components of \( \mathbf{F} \).
- This usually involves integrating the components of \( \mathbf{F} \) with respect to their respective variables.
Curl of a Vector Field
The curl of a vector field in two dimensions is a measure of the rotation or "curling" effect that the field has at a point. A vector field \( \mathbf{F} = (P, Q) \) is conservative if its curl \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = 0 \).For 2D vector fields, this condition simplifies to:\[ \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 0 \]
- When the curl is zero, it means there is no rotational component to the vector field, suggesting a potential function could exist.
- The curl helps to check if a vector field is path-independent, which is a key characteristic of conservative fields.
Partial Derivatives
Partial derivatives are a fundamental part of multivariable calculus, allowing us to analyze how a function changes with respect to one variable at a time, while holding other variables constant.In the context of vector fields and potential functions:
- Partial derivatives help express vector field components as derivatives of a potential function.
- They allow us to compute the curl of a vector field to test for conservativeness.
- By calculating partial derivatives, you can determine if \( \mathbf{F} \) reflects an underlying scalar field \( f \).
Simply Connected Domain
A simply connected domain is a crucial concept when dealing with conservative vector fields. A domain is simply connected if it is connected and has no holes, meaning any closed curve within the domain can be continuously contracted to a single point without exiting the domain.
For a vector field to be conservative, it needs to be defined on a simply connected domain.
- This requirement ensures that the potential function can be defined consistently over the entire region, without ambiguity.
- In practical terms, a vector field defined over a simply connected domain will have no obstacles preventing the existence of a potential function.