Impossible Curl of a Vector Field

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of the curl of a vector field, specifically addressing the vector field F = <2x, 3yz, -xz^2>. It is established that if a vector field v is the curl of another vector field, then the divergence of v must equal zero (∇·v = 0). Additionally, the use of Fourier transforms is suggested as a method to analyze the restrictions on the curl, although it is noted that not all functions possess Fourier transforms, which limits this approach.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector calculus, specifically curl and divergence
  • Familiarity with vector fields and their properties
  • Knowledge of Fourier transforms and their applications
  • Basic concepts of gradient fields and their characteristics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of curl and divergence in vector calculus
  • Explore the implications of the divergence theorem in relation to vector fields
  • Learn about the conditions under which a vector field can be expressed as a curl
  • Investigate the limitations and applications of Fourier transforms in vector field analysis
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Mathematicians, physicists, and engineering students interested in advanced vector calculus, particularly those analyzing vector fields and their properties.

laplacianZero
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Let's assume the vector field is NOT a gradient field.

Are there any restrictions on what the curl of this vector field can be?

If so, how can I determine a given curl of a vector field can NEVER be a particular vector function?
 
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Can give us a context here or some example that you're looking at?
 
No example in particular... but I guess I can come up with one.

Here

Curl of vector field F = <2x, 3yz, -xz^2>

Is this possible??
 
laplacianZero said:
Are there any restrictions on what the curl of this vector field can be?
sure. if a vector field v is a curl of some another vector field then ##\mathrm{div}\,v=0## Locally the inverse is also true
 
Well, is the above post #3 a possibility?
 
?
 
Nvm. I got it.
 
You can obtain some results concerning that question by examining the Fourier transforms. This approach suffers from the obvious shortcoming that not all functions have Fourier transforms, but anyway, it could be that Fourier transforms still give something.
 

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