# Operator nabla example

1. Feb 25, 2014

### prehisto

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
So I have this rather komplex example and im looking for help.
∇(3(r*a)r)/R5 -a/R5)
r=xex+yey+zez
a-constant vector
R=r1/2
2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
So the nabla " works" on every member individualy,and i have to careful here:(r*∇a),because of analogue with derivative rule,am I correct?

So 9(r*a)/R^5+9r/R^5+9r/R^5-15(r*a)r*r/R^5-∇a/R^5

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data[/

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Feb 25, 2014

### Goddar

Hi again.
Your notation here is not clear: are r and a vectors? In which case ($\vec{r}$$\cdot$$\vec{a}$)$\vec{r}$ is a vector and you
cannot take its gradient (unless you're defining a matrix form, which i doubt you are)...
Now you can act on it with ∇$\cdot$ (divergence) or ∇$\times$ (curl), or you can have [∇($\vec{r}$$\cdot$$\vec{a}$/R5)]$\vec{r}$. So could you clarify your notation?

3. Feb 25, 2014

### prehisto

Yes,r and a are vectors.
$\vec{∇}$(3($\vec{r}$*$\vec{a}$)$\vec{r}$/R5-$\vec{a}$/R5)

Hmm,why cant I act on ($\vec{r}$*$\vec{a}$)$\vec{r}$ because its a vector..I can act on $\vec{r}$,which is a vector,so why not ?

4. Feb 25, 2014

### Goddar

No you can't (again, unless you're defining a matrix)!
The gradient turns a scalar function into a vector, the divergence does the opposite and the curl turns a vector into another vector. So you have to make sure exactly where you put your parenthesis and adopt a precise notation, here...

5. Feb 25, 2014

### ChrisVer

it would be better to use the nabla operator in spherical coordinates... I think it will simplify your problem :)

(plus I don't see any gradient or divergence in the OP's post)

6. Feb 25, 2014

### Goddar

Yes, using r is indeed an incentive to use spherical coordinates, for which you need the corresponding form for ∇. But the first issue here is to determine exactly what operation is asked, and on what type of object because there's something wrong in the problem as stated...

7. Feb 25, 2014

### ChrisVer

yes, because most of times you will not see div acting on scalars, as you won't see grad acting on vectors.... So in that case intuitively you choose the correct action XD.
If someone has a vector, he'll use the div for the vector, and when they have a scalar they'll use the grad...

8. Feb 25, 2014

### prehisto

Ok, now Im starting to see that there is problem in essence of example.
But I have to solve it, in given cordinates.

I assume that
∇R=dR/dx*ex+dR/dy*ey+dR/dz*ez
where R is modul of vector r
and
∇r=dx/dx*ex+dy/dy*ey+dz/dz*ez

9. Feb 25, 2014

### Goddar

Yes

No, if r is the position vector then:
∇$\cdot$$\vec{r}$=(dx/dx)(ex*ex)+(dy/dy)(ey*ey)+(dz/dz)(ez*ez)= dx/dx + dy/dy + dz/dz = 3
And ∇$\vec{r}$ is a matrix.

10. Feb 25, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

You still haven't told us whether you are taking the divergence of a vector, or the gradient of the vector. The gradient of the vector is a second order tensor, while the divergence of the vector is a scalar. So, which is it? (Irrespective of what coordinate system you are using)

Chet