How is rotation related to the curl of a vector field?

In summary, when the curl of a vector is zero, it is considered to be irrotational. The curl is related to a line integral path and if the integral is not zero, then rotation is present. One way to visualize this is by imagining a paddlewheel at the point of interest - if it spins, there is rotation. However, it is important to note that a vector by itself cannot have a curl, as the concept only applies to vector fields.
  • #1
Apashanka
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If the curl of a vector is 0 e,g ##\vec \nabla×\vec A=0## the vector A is said to be irrotational,can anyone please tell how rotation is involved with ##curl## of a vector??
 
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  • #3
Point of order: A vector by itself cannot have a curl. The concept makes no sense. All differential operators you will encounter in vector analysis involve fields. In the case of the curl, a vector field.
 
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