Chapter 13: Problem 11
Determine whether or not the vector field is conserva- tive. If it is conservative, find a function \(f\) such that \(\mathbf{F}=\nabla f\) $$\mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=y^{2} z^{3} \mathbf{i}+2 x y z^{3} \mathbf{j}+3 x y^{2} z^{2} \mathbf{k}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vector field is conservative with the potential function \( f(x,y,z) = x y^2 z^3 + C \).
Step by step solution
01
Check if the Vector Field is Conservative
For a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P(x, y, z) \mathbf{i} + Q(x, y, z) \mathbf{j} + R(x, y, z) \mathbf{k} \) to be conservative, it must be the gradient of some scalar function \( f \). By definition, \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative if \[ abla \times \mathbf{F} = \mathbf{0} \] First, compute the partial derivatives involved in checking the curl:- \( P = y^2 z^3 \)- \( Q = 2xyz^3 \)- \( R = 3xy^2z^2 \)Check for curl components:- \( \frac{\partial R}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial Q}{\partial z} = \frac{\partial (3xy^2z^2)}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial (2xyz^3)}{\partial z} = 6xyz^2 - 6xyz^2 = 0 \)- \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial R}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial (y^2z^3)}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial (3xy^2z^2)}{\partial x} = 3y^2z^2 - 3y^2z^2 = 0 \)- \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial (2xyz^3)}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial (y^2z^3)}{\partial y} = 2yz^3 - 2yz^3 = 0 \)All components are zero, so \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = \mathbf{0} \). The vector field is conservative.
02
Find the Potential Function \(f\)
Since \( \mathbf{F} = abla f \), we need to integrate each component to find \( f(x, y, z) \).1. **Integrate \( P \) with respect to \( x \):** \[ \int y^2 z^3 \, dx = x y^2 z^3 + g(y, z) \] Here, \( g(y, z) \) is an arbitrary function of \( y \) and \( z \), since differentiating \( f \) with respect to \( x \) should yield a result that matches the given \( P \).2. **Use the \( Q \) component to determine \( g(y,z) \):** \[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 2xyz^3 = 2xyz^3 + \frac{\partial g(y, z)}{\partial y} \] Since the terms involving \( x \) match, we identify: \[ \frac{\partial g(y, z)}{\partial y} = 0 \Rightarrow g(y, z) = h(z) \] \( h(z) \) is an arbitrary function of \( z \).3. **Use \( R \) to find \( h(z) \):** \[ \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} = 3xy^2z^2 \] \[ \frac{\partial (x y^2 z^3 + h(z))}{\partial z} = 3xy^2z^2 + \frac{dh(z)}{dz} \] Matching terms gives: \[ \frac{dh(z)}{dz} = 0 \Rightarrow h(z) = C \] \( C \) is a constant.4. **Combine results to get \( f(x,y,z) \):** \[ f(x, y, z) = x y^2 z^3 + C \] Thus, the potential function is \( f(x, y, z) = x y^2 z^3 + C \), with \( C \) as a constant.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Gradient
The concept of a "gradient" is fundamental in vector calculus. It represents how a function changes at any point in space. Think of the gradient as a vector that points in the direction of the steepest ascent of the function.
The gradient of a scalar function, say \( f(x, y, z) \), is denoted by \( abla f \) and is defined as a vector composed of partial derivatives:
For a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \) to be conservative, it must be the gradient of some potential function \( f \). This means if we can express \( \mathbf{F} \) as \( abla f \), then \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative. Often, solving for \( f \) involves integrating the components of \( \mathbf{F} \), as demonstrated in the solution where \( f(x, y, z) = x y^2 z^3 + C \). This potential function allows us to fully describe the behavior of \( \mathbf{F} \).
The gradient of a scalar function, say \( f(x, y, z) \), is denoted by \( abla f \) and is defined as a vector composed of partial derivatives:
- \( abla f = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} \right) \)
For a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \) to be conservative, it must be the gradient of some potential function \( f \). This means if we can express \( \mathbf{F} \) as \( abla f \), then \( \mathbf{F} \) is conservative. Often, solving for \( f \) involves integrating the components of \( \mathbf{F} \), as demonstrated in the solution where \( f(x, y, z) = x y^2 z^3 + C \). This potential function allows us to fully describe the behavior of \( \mathbf{F} \).
Curl of a Vector Field
The "curl" of a vector field is a measure of the field's tendency to rotate around a point. It's like the rotational speed of a tiny paddle wheel placed in the field. Mathematically, it is denoted as \( abla \times \mathbf{F} \).
Given a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \), the curl \( abla \times \mathbf{F} \) is calculated as:
If the curl is zero, the vector field has no "twist" at any point, which is a necessary condition for a field to be conservative. In our example, all these partial derivatives differences were zero, indicating that \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = \mathbf{0} \). Hence, the field is conservative, meaning it can be expressed as the gradient of some potential function \( f \). This absence of curl simplifies many calculations and offers insight into the field's behavior.
Given a vector field \( \mathbf{F} = P \mathbf{i} + Q \mathbf{j} + R \mathbf{k} \), the curl \( abla \times \mathbf{F} \) is calculated as:
- \( \frac{\partial R}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial Q}{\partial z} \)
- \( \frac{\partial P}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial R}{\partial x} \)
- \( \frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \)
If the curl is zero, the vector field has no "twist" at any point, which is a necessary condition for a field to be conservative. In our example, all these partial derivatives differences were zero, indicating that \( abla \times \mathbf{F} = \mathbf{0} \). Hence, the field is conservative, meaning it can be expressed as the gradient of some potential function \( f \). This absence of curl simplifies many calculations and offers insight into the field's behavior.
Potential Function
A "potential function" \( f \) is a scalar function from which a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \) can be derived by taking the gradient. It encapsulates all the information about the vector field in a single function.
To find a potential function for a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \), one typically integrates the field's components. This process is shown in the step-by-step solution where integration was performed on each component part of \( \mathbf{F} \):
The presence of a potential function simplifies problem-solving, as it can be used to calculate work done by the field. In this specific example, the potential function \( f(x, y, z) = x y^2 z^3 + C \) allows us to easily understand how the field operates throughout space. Knowing a potential function exists ensures the field is free of closed loops and adheres to the path-independent property.
To find a potential function for a vector field \( \mathbf{F} \), one typically integrates the field's components. This process is shown in the step-by-step solution where integration was performed on each component part of \( \mathbf{F} \):
- Integrate the first component with respect to its variable while treating others as constants.
- Match the other components through integration to determine any leftover functions.
- Finally, assemble these pieces to form \( f(x,y,z) \).
The presence of a potential function simplifies problem-solving, as it can be used to calculate work done by the field. In this specific example, the potential function \( f(x, y, z) = x y^2 z^3 + C \) allows us to easily understand how the field operates throughout space. Knowing a potential function exists ensures the field is free of closed loops and adheres to the path-independent property.