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Zero curl and gradient of some scalar potential

  1. Nov 3, 2011 #1

    redredred

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    Can someone help me intuitively understand why if a field has zero curl then it must be the gradient of a scalar potential?

    Thanks!
     
    redredred, Nov 3, 2011
  2. jcsd
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  3. Nov 4, 2011 #2

    lavinia

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    If the curl is zero the field does not rotate so the field lines look like gradient flows.
     
    lavinia, Nov 4, 2011
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