Chapter 16: Problem 3
\(3-10\) Determine whether or not \(\mathbf{F}\) is a conservative vector field. If it is, find a function \(f\) such that \(\mathbf{F}=\nabla f\) $$\mathbf{F}(x, y)=(2 x-3 y) \mathbf{i}+(-3 x+4 y-8) \mathbf{j}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vector field \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative. The potential function is \( f(x, y) = x^2 - 3xy + 2y^2 - 8y + C \).
Step by step solution
01
Recall the conditions for a vector field to be conservative
A vector field \( \mathbf{F} = M(x, y) \mathbf{i} + N(x, y) \mathbf{j} \) is conservative if its curl is zero, that is \( \frac{\partial N}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial M}{\partial y} \). This means that if the cross partial derivatives are equal, the field is conservative.
02
Identify components of the vector field
The given vector field is \( \mathbf{F}(x, y) = (2x - 3y) \mathbf{i} + (-3x + 4y - 8) \mathbf{j} \). Here, \( M(x, y) = 2x - 3y \) and \( N(x, y) = -3x + 4y - 8 \).
03
Compute partial derivatives
Compute the partial derivative \( \frac{\partial N}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(-3x + 4y - 8) = -3 \). Likewise, compute the partial derivative \( \frac{\partial M}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(2x - 3y) = -3 \).
04
Compare the computed partial derivatives
Since \( \frac{\partial N}{\partial x} = -3 \) and \( \frac{\partial M}{\partial y} = -3 \), these derivatives are equal, confirming that \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative.
05
Find potential function \( f \)
As \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative, find a potential function \( f \text{ such that } abla f = \mathbf{F} \). We need functions satisfying \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 2x - 3y \) and \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = -3x + 4y - 8 \).
06
Integrate with respect to \( x \)
Integrate \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 2x - 3y \) with respect to \( x \). The integration results in \( f(x, y) = x^2 - 3xy + g(y) \), where \( g(y) \) is an arbitrary function of \( y \).
07
Differentiate the result with respect to \( y \)
Differentiate \( f(x, y) = x^2 - 3xy + g(y) \) with respect to \( y \) to find \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = -3x + g'(y) \).
08
Equate \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \) to \( N(x, y) \)
Set \(-3x + g'(y) = -3x + 4y - 8\). Solving for \( g'(y) \) gives \( g'(y) = 4y - 8 \).
09
Integrate \( g'(y) \)
Integrate \( g'(y) = 4y - 8 \) with respect to \( y \) to find \( g(y) = 2y^2 - 8y + C \), where \( C \) is a constant.
10
Write the full potential function \( f \)
Combine results to find \( f(x, y) = x^2 - 3xy + 2y^2 - 8y + C \). This is the function \( f \) such that \( abla f = \mathbf{F} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Potential Function
In the context of vector calculus, a potential function is a scalar function whose gradient is equal to a given vector field. More simply, if a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative, there exists a function \( f(x, y) \) such that the gradient \( abla f \) is equal to \( \mathbf{F} \).
- The vector field is derived from the potential function, which implies that its line integral is path-independent.
- This characteristic makes solving certain problems more straightforward, as working with a scalar function is often simpler than dealing directly with the vector field.
Curl of a Vector Field
The curl of a vector field measures the tendency of the field to rotate around a point. For a two-dimensional vector field \( \mathbf{F} = M(x, y) \mathbf{i} + N(x, y) \mathbf{j} \), the curl boils down to checking whether the cross partial derivatives of the components are equal.
- If \( \frac{\partial N}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial M}{\partial y} \), the vector field has zero curl, meaning it is conservative.
- This property is crucial as it confirms that the vector field can be expressed as the gradient of a potential function, meaning it is irrotational.
Partial Derivatives
Partial derivatives represent how a function changes as the variables change. They measure the rate at which the function's value changes as one of the variables is varied while the other remains constant.
- For a given function \( f(x, y) \), the partial derivative \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \) is calculated by differentiating \( f \) with respect to \( x \), treating \( y \) as a constant.
- Likewise, \( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \) involves differentiating with respect to \( y \) while keeping \( x \) constant.
Integration with Respect to Variables
Integration with respect to variables is the process of finding a function when given its derivative. It reverses the process of differentiation.
- When we integrate a function with respect to \( x \), we treat \( y \) as a constant and add a function of \( y \) as an integration constant.
- Conversely, integrating with respect to \( y \) treats \( x \) as a constant and the integration constant may involve functions of \( x \).