# I Irrotational vector and curl

#### Apashanka

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??

#### jedishrfu

Mentor
If you recall that curl is related to a line integral path about a point aka the Stokes theorem. Then if that integral is not zero then you have rotation.

One little mental picture is to place a paddlewheel at the point of interest and if it spins then there’s rotation.

#### Orodruin

Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Gold Member
2018 Award
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.

"Irrotational vector and curl"

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