# Homework Help: Vectors- gradient and normal unit vector- is this correct?

1. Jun 4, 2010

### tomanator

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

For the scalar field f(x, y, z) = x2 − y2 − z find gradf and normal unit
vector to a surface f(x, y, z) = 0 at the point (1, 1, 0).

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I calculated gradf= 2xi -2yj -k

at (1,1,0) this is = 2i -2y -k

normal unit vector= $$\frac{2i -2y -k}{\sqrt{9}}$$

normal unit vector = $$\frac{1}{3}$$(2i -2y -k)

is this correct it seems too simple in terms of marks

2. Jun 4, 2010

### phyzguy

I think you've calculated the gradient correctly, but not the normal unit vector. The gradient is tangent to the surface in the direction where the slope is maximum. The normal vector is perpendicular to the tangent plane of the surface. So the normal unit vector will be perpendicular to the gradient vector. You have just calculated the unit gradient vector.

3. Jun 4, 2010

### tomanator

Thanks for you reply, so do you know how I calculate the normal unit vector then?

4. Jun 4, 2010

### ehild

Tomanator,
your solution is correct. The gradient in a point of a f(x,y,z)=constant surface is normal to the tangent plane of this surface at the given point.

A small change of f can be written as dF=grad f˙dr, the dot product of the gradf vector with the displacement vector dr. You get the highest change of f if the displacement is parallel to the gradient: the gradient vector points in the direction of the steepest slope of the f function.
If dr is tangent to an f(x,y,z) = constant surface dF=grad f˙dr=0. A dot product of two non-zero vector is 0 if they are perpendicular: gradf and dr are perpendicular, gradf is normal vector to the tangent plane.

ehild

5. Jun 5, 2010

### tomanator

Ok thanks ehild, I'm glad I did it correct first time. I have an exam next week so it's promising :)

6. Aug 26, 2011

### msslowlearner

but what if dr is not the tangent to the surface ?? how do u calculate the unit normal vector then ?

7. Aug 26, 2011

### ehild

The gradient vector is normal to the surfaces f(x,y,z)=constant, and it can be determined from the partial derivatives of f(x,y,z). You do not need any dr to determine it. What I explained was that the gradient vector is really normal to the f=constant surfaces. And you get the change df of the function f when moving from r to r+dr by calculating the dot product grad(f )˙dr=df.

ehild

8. Aug 26, 2011

### msslowlearner

yes, i get it .. i always keep forgetting dr is the tangent to the plane of surface. thanks ehild. could you help with what a unit normal vector is ?? is it the direction of the gradient vector? if so, how do you calculate it given the gradient and a point on the surface ?

9. Aug 26, 2011

### Ray Vickson

Your calculations are correct: grad f is the direction of steepest ascent (i.e., the direction of greatest rate of increase in f), and grad(f)/|grad(f)| is the corresponding unit normal.

RGV

10. Aug 26, 2011

### ehild

See the original post.

ehild

11. Aug 26, 2011

### ehild

Hi RGV,
It was not "tomanator"who asked about finding the normal vector now, but "msslowlearner". "tomanator" solved the problem in the OP, but "msslowlearner" did not look at his solution in the post more than one year ago.

ehild

12. Aug 27, 2011

### msslowlearner

yes.., i'm new to the physicsforums .. hardly a week here .. :)

13. Apr 3, 2012

### drlang

Hi

I am trying to learn about covariant and contravariant vectors and derivatives. The videos I have been watching talk about displacement vector as the basis for contravariant vectors and gradient as the basis for covariant vectors. Can somone tlel me the difference between displacemement and gradient vectors?