ehrenfest Messages 2,001 Reaction score 1 Thread starter Aug 26, 2007 #1 I am trying to think of a non-constant function whose divergence and curl is 0. It seems like this is impossible to me. Any hints?
I am trying to think of a non-constant function whose divergence and curl is 0. It seems like this is impossible to me. Any hints?
siddharth Homework Helper Gold Member Messages 1,145 Reaction score 0 Aug 26, 2007 #2 Well, if the curl is zero, you can write the field as a gradient of some scalar function. So, if the divergence is also zero, what does that tell you? (Hint: Laplace equation)
Well, if the curl is zero, you can write the field as a gradient of some scalar function. So, if the divergence is also zero, what does that tell you? (Hint: Laplace equation)
arildno Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Dearly Missed Messages 10,165 Reaction score 138 Aug 26, 2007 #3 Potential theory would be dreadfully boring to study if the Laplace equation had only constant solutions..
Potential theory would be dreadfully boring to study if the Laplace equation had only constant solutions..