Finding Div and Curl of a Vector Field then evaluating a point

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the divergence and curl of a given vector field, specifically \(\vec{V}=x^2y \hat{i} + xy^2 \hat{j} + xyz \hat{k}\), and evaluating these at the point \((1,1,1)\). Participants are exploring concepts related to vector calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to compute the divergence and curl of the vector field and seeks confirmation of their calculations. Some participants question the notation and approach used in the curl calculation, while others express understanding of the original poster's method.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided feedback on the original poster's calculations, indicating that they appear correct. There is an ongoing exploration of a related question regarding finding the maximum pressure gradient, with uncertainty about the next steps in that context.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a subsequent question about finding the maximum pressure gradient, indicating a potential need for further clarification on that topic. There is also a reference to the challenge of determining whether to create a new thread for this related question.

FaraDazed
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Homework Statement

}[/B]
Find the divergence and curl of the vector field \vec{V}=x^2y \hat{i} + xy^2 \hat{j} + xyz \hat{k} then for both, evaluate them at the point \bar{r} = (1,1,1)

Homework Equations



<br /> div(\vec{F})= \nabla \cdot \vec{F} \\<br /> curl(\vec{F})= \nabla \times\vec{F}<br />

The Attempt at a Solution


This question is the first question where I have attempted to actually find the divergence and curl, which I found ok, but just wanted someone to double check my work, so would appreciate a look.

<br /> div(\vec{V})= \nabla \cdot \vec{V} = \frac{\partial V_x}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial V_y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial V_z}{\partial z} = 2xy + 2xy + xy = 5xy<br />

Then at (1,1,1) it would be 5xy=5(1)(1)=5

Then the curl
<br /> curl(\vec{V})= \nabla \times\vec{V} = (\frac{\partial V_z}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial V_y}{\partial z}) \hat{i} - (\frac{\partial V_z}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial V_x}{\partial z}) \hat{j} + (\frac{\partial V_y}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial V_x}{\partial y})\hat{k} \\<br /> = (xz-0)\hat{i} - (yz-0)\hat{j} + (y^2-y)\hat{k} = xz\hat{i}- yz\hat{j} + (y^2-y)\hat{k}<br />

Then at (1,1,1), it would be 1\hat{i}-1\hat{j} or (1,-1,0)
 
Last edited:
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Looks right to me. The j part of the curl fooled me for a moment as its usually written as + (Vxz - Vzx) j but then I saw the minus sign.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curl_(mathematics )
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jedishrfu said:
Looks right to me. The j part fooled me for a moment as its usually written as + (Vxz - Vzx) j but then I saw the minus sign.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curl_(mathematics )
Ah right. Yeah I just did the cross product as I would normally have done with any two vectors, find it easier to remember like that. Thanks for taking a look.

Just wanted to check if I was doing things correctly. there is another question which I am stuck on, not sure whether to make another thread, but it basically asks to find the maximum [pressure] gradient at a certain point that's given; I have found the gradient, i.e. \nabla P but am not sure what to do next. Do I just put the coordinates of the point in, or do I need to first set it to zero and somehow solve it?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
FaraDazed said:
Ah right. Yeah I just did the cross product as I would normally have done with any two vectors, find it easier to remember like that. Thanks for taking a look.

Just wanted to check if I was doing things correctly. there is another question which I am stuck on, not sure whether to make another thread, but it basically asks to find the maximum [pressure] gradient at a certain point that's given; I have found the gradient, i.e. \nabla P but am not sure what to do next. Do I just put the coordinates of the point in, or do I need to first set it to zero and somehow solve it?

You need to find the maximum of ##|\nabla P|##, the point where the gradient vector has maximum length.
 

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