Curl and Divergence (flux, and what not)

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving vector calculus, specifically the curl and divergence of vector fields. The original poster is tasked with finding a vector field \(\vec{G}\) given that the curl of \(\vec{G}\) equals another vector field \(\vec{F}\), which is defined as \(\vec{F} = \), and that \(\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{F} = 0\), indicating incompressibility.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster expresses uncertainty about how to approach the problem and mentions the context of incompressibility. One participant suggests expanding the left-hand side of a related identity, while another references a specific source for further clarification on the relationship between the variables involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding vector identities, and there is an acknowledgment of the non-uniqueness of the solution. However, no consensus has been reached on a definitive approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the implications of the incompressibility condition and the nature of the vector fields involved. The original poster indicates that the problem was encountered in a quiz context, which may impose certain constraints on the approach taken.

dink
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
I'm having a bit of difficulty with this problem:
[tex] \vec{\nabla} \times \vec{G} = \vec{F}[/tex]
where
[tex]\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{F} = 0[/tex]
and [tex]\vec{F} = <y, z, x>[/tex].
Find [tex]\vec{G}[/tex]. I'm really at a loss how to solve this. I know the solution must be quick and easy because it was on a quiz. What I do know is this is called "incompressable" if, say it were a vector field of a fluid. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You have:

[tex]\vec{\nabla}.(\vec{\nabla} \times \vec{G}) = 0[/tex]

Can you expand the left hand side using a suitable vector identity?
 
http://astron.berkeley.edu/~jrg/ay202/node189.html ?

14.54 gives me the form, such that A = G, but does this mean B = F if I expanded to 14.51?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just a follow up incase someone else needed the same solution. Merely expanding the cross product (<P,Q,R> form as [tex]\vec{G}[/tex]) leaves a vector in differentials that is equal to [tex]\vec{F}[/tex]. From then its just a matter of setting the components equal to each other and knocking off which ever differential you would like. You can do this because the solution is not unique. Thanks for the help.
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K