How can div (u cross v) be proved using the product rule?

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SUMMARY

The divergence of the cross product of two vector fields, represented as div(u cross v), is proven using the formula div(u cross v) = v dot curl(u) - u dot curl(v). This relationship is derived from the product rule in vector calculus, which differs from the scalar product rule. The proof involves direct computation, applying the definitions of divergence and curl, and careful manipulation of summation indices.

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Please show me the way the proof this!

div (u cross v) = v dot grad (u)- u dot grad(v) where v and u is a vector.

The product rule doesn't seem working
 
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oxxiissiixxo said:
Please show me the way the proof this!

div (u cross v) = v dot grad (u)- u dot grad(v) where v and u is a vector.

The product rule doesn't seem working
The "product rule" in vector calculus is different to the product rule for scalar functions. The "vector product rule" depends on type of product you are dealing with (e.g. cross, scalar) and the type of operator that you are dealing with (e.g. divergence, curl). in fact, the relationship that you wish to prove is the product rule for the divergence of a cross product.

The most straightforward way to prove your relation is a by direct computation. You should know that

\boldsymbol{u}\times\boldsymbol{v} = \varepsilon_{ijk}u_jb_k

And that

\text{div}\left(\boldsymbol{A}\right) = \frac{\partial A_i}{\partial x_i}

So all you need to do, is put the two together and compute. (Be careful with your summation indices).
 
that should be

\mathbf{\nabla\cdot (u\times v)=v\cdot \nabla\times u-u\cdot \nabla\times v}

div (u cross v) = v dot curl (u)- u dot curl(v)
use partial differentiation
\mathbf{\nabla\cdot (u\times v)=\nabla_u\cdot (u\times v)+\nabla_v \cdot (u\times v)}
div (u cross v)=div_u (u cross v)+div_v (u cross v)
recall
a dot b cross c=-b dot a cross c==c dot a cross b
thus
\mathbf{\nabla_u\cdot (u\times v)=v\cdot \nabla\times u}
\mathbf{\nabla_v\cdot (u\times v)=-u\cdot \nabla\times v}
div_u (u cross v)= v dot curl u
div_v (u cross v)=-u dot curl v

therefore

div (u cross v)=v dot curl (u)- u dot curl(v)

Hootenanny said:
The most straightforward way to prove your relation is a by direct computation.
Introducing an arbitrary coordinate system and a double sum is not very straight forward.
Calculus students hate epsilons and deltas. :)

vector calculus favorite
\mathbf{(a\times\nabla)\times b+a\nabla\cdot b=a\times(\nabla\times b)+(a\cdot\nabla)b}
 
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