Curl of the partial derivative of a scalar

[JerryG]

I have a problem where part of the solution involves taking the Curl of the partial derivative of a scalar.

If A is a scalar function, then wouldn't taking the partial derivative of A with respect to time "t" just give another scalar function?

 

[lanedance]

So you have A(x,y,z,t) and want to find partial wrt t, then yes it is a scalar function, finding the gradient would yield vector field

 

[dextercioby]

You can take the curl only wrt spatial components. And the curl operator must act on at least on a covector. The gradient wrt one of the components of a scalar function is such type of covector. But the curl of gradient of a scalar fiels is 0.