5.

VECTOR CALCULUS
5.1 Scalar and Vector Point Functions
A variable quantity whose value at any point in a region of space depends upon the position of
the point is called a point function. If for each point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) of a region 𝑅, there corresponds a
scalar 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧), then 𝜙 is called a scalar point function for the region 𝑅. The region 𝑅 is then
called the scalar field.
For example, the temperature at any point within or, on the surface of the earth is a scalar point
function. Similarly, the atmospheric pressure in the space is also a scalar point function. On the
contrary, if for each point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) of a region 𝑅, there exists a vector 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧), then 𝐹 is
called a vector point function and the region 𝑅 is then called a vector field. For example, the
gravitational force is a vector point function.
Let 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) be a scalar point function. Then 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐 constitutes a family of surfaces in a
three dimensional space. The surfaces of this family are called the level surfaces e.g.
Equipotential or, Isothermal surfaces.
The scalar point function 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) and the vector point function𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) satisfy the following
laws of ordinary calculus:
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
𝑑𝜙 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑑𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑧
= + +
𝜕𝑠 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑠 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑠 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑠
𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹
𝑑𝐹 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑑𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑑𝐹 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝑧
= + +
𝑑𝑠 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑠 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑠 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑠
5.2 Operator 𝛁
The operator ∇, defined by
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∇≡ 𝑖 +𝑗 +𝑘 ,
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
is called the vector differential operator and is read as del or, nabla.
5.3 Gradient of a Scalar Point Function
Let 𝜙 = 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) be a scalar point function defined and differentiable at each point (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) of
the region 𝑅 of space. Then, the gradient of scalar point function 𝜙, denoted as ∇𝜙 or, Grad 𝜙, is
defined as
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∇𝜙 = 𝑖 +𝑗 +𝑘 𝜙= 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Thus, the gradient of a scalar point function is a vector point function. So, ∇𝜙 will be having a
direction too.
5-2 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Let 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 be the position vector of a point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) through which the level surface
𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐 passes. Then
𝑑𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑧
=0⇒ ∙ + ∙ + ∙ =0
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
⇒ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 ∙ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡
𝑑𝑟
⇒ ∇𝜙 ∙ =0
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟
⇒ ∇𝜙 ⊥ Fig. 5.1
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
i.e. ∇𝜙 is perpendicular to . Since is the vector tangential to the curve at point 𝑃 and since 𝑃
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
is an arbitrary point on the surface 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐, it follows that ∇𝜙 is always normal to the
surface 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐 on which the scalar point function 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 is defined.
5.4 Geometrical Interpretation of 𝛁𝜙
To interpret ∇𝜙 geometrically, let us consider level surfaces 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐 and 𝜙 + 𝛿𝜙 = 𝑐
passing through the points 𝑃 𝑟 and 𝑄 𝑟 + 𝛿𝑟 , respectively. So, as is clear from the adjoining
figure, we have
𝑃𝑄 = 𝑟 + 𝛿𝑟 − 𝑟 = 𝛿𝑟
Then
𝑃𝑄 = 𝛿𝑟 = 𝛿𝑟

Fig. 5.2
Let 𝑛 be a unit normal vector to the level surface 𝜙 = 𝑐 at point 𝑃, and let 𝜃 be the angle
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
between vectors 𝛿𝑟 and 𝑛. Also, let 𝑃𝑃′ = 𝛿𝑛. Then and represent the rate of change of 𝜙
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑛
along the directions 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑛 respectively.
Further, we have
𝛿𝜙 𝛿𝜙 𝛿𝑛 𝛿𝜙
= = cos 𝜃
𝛿𝑟 𝛿𝑛 𝛿𝑟 𝛿𝑛
𝛿𝜙 𝛿𝜙
⇒ lim𝛿𝑟 →0 = lim𝛿𝑛 →0 cos 𝜃
𝛿𝑟 𝛿𝑛
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
⇒ = cos 𝜃
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑛
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
⇒ ≤ ∵ cos 𝜃 ≤ 1 … … … … … … … … . . … … (1)
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑛
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-3

Since 𝑃𝑃′ = 𝛿𝑛 is the projection of 𝑃𝑄 along the normal, hence we have

𝑑𝑛 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ 𝑑𝜙 = 𝑑𝑛 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝜕𝑛 𝜕𝑛 𝜕𝑛
𝜕𝜙
⇒ ∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝜕𝑛
𝜕𝜙
⇒ ∇𝜙 = 𝑛 … … … … … … … … … … . … … … . … … … . . (2)
𝜕𝑛
From (1) and (2), it is evident that ∇𝜙 represents the maximum rate of change of 𝜙, which is
along the outward drawn normal to the level surface 𝜙 = 𝑐.
𝜕𝜙
Further, represents the rate of change of 𝜙 in any other direction and is termed as directional
𝜕𝑟
𝜕𝜙
derivative. Among all the directional derivatives ∇𝜙 = has the maximum value. It is also
𝜕𝑛
evident that the directional derivative of 𝜙 along 𝑃𝑄 is the scalar resolute of ∇𝜙 in that direction.
5.5 Properties of Gradient
If 𝜙 and 𝜓 are two scalar point functions, and 𝑐 is a constant, then
(a) ∇ 𝜙 ± 𝜓 = ∇𝜙 ± ∇𝜓
(b) ∇ 𝜙𝜓 = 𝜙∇𝜓 + (∇𝜙)𝜓
𝜙 ∇𝜙 𝜓 −𝜙 (∇𝜓 )
(c) ∇ = , provided that 𝜓 ≠ 0
𝜓 𝜓2

(d) ∇ 𝑐𝜙 = 𝑐∇𝜙
𝑑𝑓 (𝑢)
(e) ∇𝑓 𝜙 = 𝑓 ′ 𝑢 ∇𝜙, where 𝑓 ′ 𝑢 = .
𝑑𝑢

The above properties follow from the definition of ∇𝜙.

Further properties of ∇𝜙 can be expressed in terms of the following theorems:
Theorem 5.1 The directional derivative of a scalar-point function 𝜙 along the direction of a unit
vector 𝑎 is ∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑎.
Proof: The unit vector 𝑎 along a line whose direction cosines are 𝑙, 𝑚 and 𝑛 is
𝑎 = 𝑙𝑖 + 𝑚𝑗 + 𝑛𝑘
Therefore, we have
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑎 = 𝑖 +𝑗 +𝑘 ∙ 𝑙𝑖 + 𝑚𝑗 + 𝑛𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
=𝑙 +𝑚 +𝑛 ,
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
which is nothing but the directional derivative of 𝜙 in the direction of the unit vector 𝑎.
5-4 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Theorem 5.2 Grad 𝜙 is a vector point function in the direction of which the maximum value of
the directional derivative of 𝜙 occurs i.e. the directional derivative is maximum along the normal
to the surface, and the maximum value is grad 𝜙 = ∇𝜙 .
Proof: As we know that ∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑎 gives us the directional derivative of 𝜙 in the direction of the
unit vector 𝑎; that is nothing but the rate of change of 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) in the direction of 𝑎. So, from
the scalar product of two vector point functions, it follows that the rate of change of 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) is
𝜋
zero along the directions perpendicular to grad 𝜙 since cos = 0 and is maximum along the
2
direction parallel to grad 𝜙. Furthermore, since grad 𝜙 acts along the normal direction to the
level surface of 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑐, hence the directional derivative is maximum along the normal to
the surface. This maximum value will evidently be ∇𝜙 = grad 𝜙 .
Example 5.1 If 𝑟 is the position vector 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 with 𝑟 = 𝑟, then evaluate
(i) ∇𝑟 𝑚
(ii) ∇𝑟
1
(iii) ∇
𝑟
1
(iv) ∇
𝑟2

Solution: Here 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 gives 𝑟 = 𝑟 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2

𝑚
∴ 𝑟𝑚 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2

𝜕𝑟 𝑚 𝑚 2 𝑚
−1
𝑚 −2
⇒ = 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 2𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 = 𝑚𝑥𝑟 𝑚 −2
𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝑟 𝑚 𝜕𝑟 𝑚
Similarly = 𝑚𝑦𝑟 𝑚 −2 and = 𝑚𝑧𝑟 𝑚 −2
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

(i) ∇𝑟 𝑚 = ∇𝜙,where 𝜙 = 𝑟 𝑚
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑟 𝑚 𝜕𝑟 𝑚 𝜕𝑟 𝑚
= 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘= 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝑚𝑟 𝑚 −2 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑚𝑟 𝑚 −2 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑚𝑟 𝑚 −2 𝑧𝑘
= 𝑚𝑟 𝑚 −2 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 = 𝑚𝑟 𝑚 −2 𝑟
∴ ∇𝑟 𝑚 = 𝑚𝑟 𝑚 −2 𝑟 … … … … … … … … … … … … … . (1)
(ii) Let us put 𝑚 = 1 in (1), to obtain
𝑟
∇𝑟 = 1 𝑟1−2 𝑟 =
𝑟
(iii) Let us put 𝑚 = −1 in (1), to obtain
1 𝑟
∇ = −1 𝑟 −3 𝑟 = − 3
𝑟 𝑟
(iv) Let us put 𝑚 = −2 in (1), to obtain
2
∇𝑟 −2 = −2 𝑟 −2−2 𝑟 = − 𝑟.
𝑟4
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-5

Example 5.2 Find ∇𝜙, if

(i) 𝜙 = log 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
(ii) 𝜙 = 𝑥 sin 𝑧 − 𝑦 cos 𝑧
(iii) 𝜙 = 𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟
Solution:
(i) Here 𝜙 = log(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 ) gives
𝜕𝜙 2𝑥 𝜕𝜙 2𝑦 𝜕𝜙 2𝑧
= 2 , = 2 , = 2
𝜕𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
2 2 2 2

𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘= 2 2 2
𝑖+ 2 2 2
𝑗+ 2 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
2 2
= 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 = 2 𝑟
𝑥2 2
+𝑦 +𝑧 2 𝑟
(ii) Here 𝜙 = 𝑥 sin 𝑧 − 𝑦 cos 𝑧, gives
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= sin 𝑧 , = − cos 𝑧 , = 𝑥 cos 𝑧 + 𝑦 sin 𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = (sin 𝑧) 𝑖 + − cos 𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑥 cos 𝑧 + 𝑦 sin 𝑧 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
(iii) Here 𝜙 = 𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟 gives
1
𝜕𝜙 𝜕(𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟 ) 𝜕(𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟 ) 𝜕𝑟 𝜕 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2
= = = 2𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
1 1
= 2𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟 ∙ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2−1 (2𝑥)
2
1
= 2𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟 ∙ 𝑥 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − 2
𝑥 𝑥
= 2𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟 = 2𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 2 𝑒 −𝑟
𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
2 𝑟

= 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑥
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
Similarly, = 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑦 and = 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑧
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Hence
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑥𝑖 + 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑦𝑗 + 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑧𝑘
= 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘
= 2 𝑒 −𝑟 − 𝑟 𝑒 −𝑟 𝑟
5-6 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Example 5.3 Find the cosine of the angle between the normals to the surfaces 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 3 and
𝑥 log 𝑧 − 𝑦 2 = 4 at the point of intersection 𝑃 −1,2,1 .
Solution: The equation of the first surface is 𝜙1 = 𝑐1 , where
𝜙1 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧, 𝑐1 = 3
𝜕𝜙1 𝜕𝜙1 𝜕𝜙1
∴ = 2𝑥𝑦, = 𝑥2 , =1
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 1 𝜕𝜙 1 𝜕𝜙 1
Hence ∇𝜙1 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 2𝑥𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥 2 𝑗 + 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

∴ ∇𝜙1 −1,2,1 = 2 −1 2 𝑖 + −1 2 𝑗 + 𝑘 = −4𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘 = 𝑎(say)

So, the vector 𝑎 is normal to the first surface. The equation of second surface is 𝜙2 = 𝑐2 , where
𝜙2 = 𝑥 log 𝑧 − 𝑦 2 , 𝑐2 = 4
𝜕𝜙2 𝜕𝜙2 𝜕𝜙2 𝑥
∴ = log 𝑧 , = −2𝑦, =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝑧
𝜕𝜙 2 𝜕𝜙 2 𝜕𝜙 2 𝑥
Hence ∇𝜙2 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = log 𝑧 𝑖 − 2𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝑧

1
∴ ∇𝜙2 −1,2,1 = log 1 𝑖 − 2 2 𝑗 + − 𝑘 = 0𝑖 − 4𝑗 − 𝑘 = 𝑏(say)
1
So, the vector 𝑏 is normal to the second surface.
Hence the vectors 𝑎 and 𝑏 are also normal to each other.
So, we are required to find the angle between 𝑎 and𝑏.
Now, 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = −4 0 + 1 −4 + 1 −1 = −5
𝑎 = −4 2 + 1 2 + 1 2 = 18 = 3 2
𝑏 = 0 2 + −4 2 + −1 2 = 17
𝑎 ∙𝑏 5 5
∴ cos 𝜃 = =− =−
𝑎 𝑏 3 2 17 3 34
5
⇒ 𝜃 = cos −1 − .
3 34
Example 5.4 Find the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑒 2𝑥 cos 𝑦𝑧 at (0,0,0) in the direction of the
𝜋
tangent to the curve 𝑥 = 𝑎 sin 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 𝑎 cos 𝑡 , 𝑧 = 𝑎𝑡 at 𝑡 = .
4
2𝑥
Solution: Here 𝜙 = 𝑒 cos(𝑦𝑧) gives
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 2𝑒 2𝑥 cos 𝑦𝑧 , = −𝑧 𝑒 2𝑥 sin 𝑦𝑧 , = −𝑦 𝑒 2𝑥 sin 𝑦𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 2𝑒 2𝑥 cos(𝑦𝑧) 𝑖 − 𝑧 𝑒 2𝑥 sin(𝑦𝑧) 𝑗 − 𝑦 𝑒 2𝑥 sin(𝑦𝑧) 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-7

⇒ ∇𝜙 0,0,0 = 2𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 0𝑘 = 𝑎 (say)

Also 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 = a sin 𝑡 𝑖 + acos 𝑡 𝑗 + (𝑎𝑡)𝑘

𝑑𝑟
∴ = 𝑎 cos 𝑡 𝑖 − 𝑎 sin 𝑡 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑘
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟 𝜋 𝜋 𝑎 𝑎
⇒ = 𝑎 cos 𝑖 − 𝑎 sin 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑘 = 𝑖− 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑘 = 𝑏(say)
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=𝜋 4 4 2 2
4
𝑎 𝑎
𝑖− 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑘
𝑏 2 2 1 1 1
∴ 𝑏= = = 𝑖− 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝑏 2 2 2 2 2
𝑎 𝑎
− + 𝑎2
2 2
Hence, the required directional derivative is given by
1 1 1
𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = 2𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 0𝑘 𝑖− 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 1.
2 2 2
Example 5.5 If 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧, 𝑣 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 and 𝑤 = 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥 , prove that grad 𝑢,
grad 𝑣 and grad 𝑤 are coplanar.
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
Solution: Here ∇𝑢 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘 = 𝑎 say (∵ 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
∇𝑣 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 2𝑥𝑖 + 2𝑦𝑗 + 2𝑧𝑘 = 𝑏 say (∵ 𝑣 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
∇𝑤 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥 + 𝑧 𝑗 + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑘 = 𝑐 say (∵ 𝑤
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥)

Hence ∇𝑢 ⋅ ∇𝑣 × ∇𝑤 = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 × 𝑐
= 𝑖+𝑗+𝑘 ⋅ 2𝑥𝑖 + 2𝑦𝑗 + 2𝑦𝑘 × 𝑦+𝑧 𝑖+ 𝑥+𝑧 𝑗+ 𝑥+𝑦 𝑘

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
= 𝑖+𝑗+𝑘 ⋅ 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧
𝑦+𝑧 𝑥+𝑧 𝑧+𝑦
= 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘 ⋅ [𝑖 2𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 2𝑧 𝑥 + 𝑧 − 𝑗 2𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 2𝑧 𝑦 + 𝑧
+ 𝑘 2𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑧 − 2𝑦 𝑦 + 𝑧 ]
= 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘 ⋅ [𝑖 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑧 2 − 𝑗 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧 − 2𝑧 2
+ 𝑘 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑦𝑧 ]
= 1 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑧 2 − 1 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧 − 2𝑧 2
+ (1) 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑦𝑧
= 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑧 2 − 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑧 + 2𝑧 2 + 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑦 2 − 2𝑦𝑧
=0
Hence ∇𝑢, ∇𝑣 and ∇𝑤 are coplanar.
5-8 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Example 5.6 Find the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 2𝑧 2 at the point 𝑃(1,2,3) in the
direction of the line 𝑃𝑄 where 𝑄 is the point (5,0,4). Also calculate the magnitude of the
maximum directional derivative.
Solution: Here 𝜙 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 2𝑧 2 gives
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 2𝑥, = −2𝑦, = 4𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 2𝑥 𝑖 − 2𝑦𝑗 + 4𝑧𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Hence ∇𝜙 1,2,3 = 2𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 12𝑘
Also, 𝑃𝑄 = 𝑂𝑄 − 𝑂𝑃 = 5𝑖 − 0𝑗 + 4𝑘 − 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 3𝑘 = 4𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘 = 𝐴 (say)
4𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘 4𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘
∴ 𝐴= =
4 2 + −2 2 + 1 2 21
Hence, the required directional derivative is given by
4𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘 8 + 8 + 12 28
∇𝜙 1,2,3 ∙ 𝐴 = 2𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 12𝑘 ∙ = =
21 21 21
The magnitude of the maximum directional derivative = ∇𝜙 = 2 2 + −4 2 + 12 2

= 4 + 16 + 144
= 164.
Example 5.7 Find the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 5𝑥 2 𝑦 − 5𝑦 2 𝑧 + 2.5𝑧 2 𝑥 at the point
𝑥−1 𝑦 −3
𝑃(1,1,1) in the direction of the line = = 𝑧.
2 −2
2 2 2
Solution: Here𝜙 = 5𝑥 𝑦 − 5𝑦 𝑧 + 2.5𝑧 𝑥 gives

𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 10𝑥𝑦 + 2.5𝑧 2 , = 5𝑥 2 − 10𝑦𝑧, = −5𝑦 2 + 5𝑧𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 10𝑥𝑦 + 2.5𝑧 2 𝑖 − 5𝑥 2 − 10𝑦𝑧 𝑗 + (−5𝑦 2 + 5𝑧𝑥)𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Hence ∇𝜙 1,1,1 = 12.5𝑖 − 5𝑗 + 0𝑘 = 𝐴 (say)
The direction of the line is
2𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘
𝑛=
3
2𝑖 −2𝑗 +𝑘
Hence the given directional derivative = 𝐴 ∙ 𝑛 = 12.5𝑖 − 5𝑗 + 0𝑘 ∙
3

12.5 2 + −5 −2 + 0 (1)
=
3
25 + 10 + 0 35
= = .
3 3
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-9

Example 5.8 Find the constants 𝑚, 𝑛 such that the surface 𝑚𝑥 2 − 2𝑛𝑦𝑧 = (𝑚 + 4)𝑥 will be
orthogonal to the surface 4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧 3 = 4 at the point 1, −1,2 .
Solution: The equation of the first surface is
𝑚𝑥 2 − 2𝑛𝑦𝑧 = (𝑚 + 4)𝑥
i.e.
𝑚𝑥 2 − 2𝑛𝑦𝑧 − 𝑚 + 4 𝑥 = 0
or,
𝜙1 = 𝑐1
where 𝜙1 = 𝑚𝑥 2 − 2𝑛𝑦𝑧 − 𝑚 + 4 𝑥, 𝑐1 = 0
𝜕𝜙1 𝜕𝜙1
∴ = 2𝑚𝑥 − 𝑚 + 4 , = −2𝑛𝑧,
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝜙1
= −2𝑛𝑦
𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 1 𝜕𝜙 1 𝜕𝜙 1
Hence ∇𝜙1 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 2𝑚𝑥 − 𝑚 + 4 𝑖 − 2𝑛𝑧 𝑗 − 2𝑛𝑦 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

∴ ∇𝜙1 1,−1,2 = 2𝑚 − 𝑚 + 4 𝑖 + 4𝑛𝑗 + 2𝑛𝑘 = 𝑚 − 4 𝑖 − 4𝑛𝑗 + 2𝑛𝑘 = 𝐴(say)

The equation of the second surface is given by

4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧 3 = 4
i.e.
𝜙2 = 𝑐2 where𝜙2 = 4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧 3 , 𝑐2 = 4
𝜕𝜙2 𝜕𝜙2 𝜕𝜙2
∴ = 8𝑥𝑦, = 4𝑥 2 , = 3𝑧 2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙2 𝜕𝜙2 𝜕𝜙2
∴ ∇𝜙2 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 8𝑥𝑦𝑖 + 4𝑥 2 𝑗 + 3𝑧 2 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Hence ∇𝜙2 1,−1,2 = −8𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 12𝑘 = 𝐵 (say)
Since the surfaces are orthogonal, hence 𝐴 and 𝐵 will also be orthogonal
i.e.
𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = 0, giving
⇒ −8 𝑚 − 4 − 16𝑛 + 24𝑛 = 0
⇒ 𝑚 − 4 + 2𝑛 − 3𝑛 = 0
⇒ 𝑚 − 𝑛 = 4………………………… 1
Both the surfaces are orthogonal to each other at the point 1, −1,2 .
Hence, this point will be located on the first surface also i.e. the point 1, −1,2 will satisfy the
equation of the first surface, giving
2
𝑚 1 − 2𝑛 −1 2 = 𝑚 + 4 1
⇒ 𝑚 + 4𝑛 = 𝑚 + 4
5-10 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

⇒ 4𝑛 = 4
⇒𝑛=1
From (1), we have
𝑚 =𝑛+4=1+4=5
∴ 𝑚 = 5, 𝑛 = 1.
Example 5.9 If the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑎𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑏𝑦𝑧 + 𝑐𝑧 2 𝑥 3 at (1,2, −1) has a
maximum magnitude of 64 in the direction parallel to the 𝑧 − axis, find the values of 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐.
Solution: Here 𝜙 = 𝑎𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑏𝑦𝑧 + 𝑐𝑧 2 𝑥 3 gives
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 𝑎𝑦 2 + 3𝑐𝑧 2 𝑥 2 , = 2𝑎𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑧, = 𝑏𝑦 + 2𝑐𝑧𝑥 3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝑎𝑦 2 + 3𝑐𝑧 2 𝑥 2 𝑖 + 2𝑎𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑧 𝑗 + (𝑏𝑦 + 2𝑐𝑧𝑥 3 )𝑘
Hence∇𝜙 1,2,−1 = 4𝑎 + 3𝑐 𝑖 + 4𝑎 − 𝑏 𝑗 + (2𝑏 − 2𝑐)𝑘
By question, we have
4𝑎 + 3𝑐 𝑖 + 4𝑎 − 𝑏 𝑗 + 2𝑏 − 2𝑐 𝑘 = 64𝑘
⇒ 4𝑎 + 3𝑐 = 0, 4𝑎 − 𝑏 = 0, 2𝑏 − 2𝑐 = 64
⇒ 𝑎 = 6, 𝑏 = 24, 𝑐 = −8
5.6 Divergence of a Vector Point Function
Let 𝐹 = 𝐹 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 be a vector point function defined and differentiable at
each point of the region 𝑅 of space. Then the divergence of the vector point function 𝐹 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 ,
denoted as Div 𝐹 or∇ ∙ 𝐹 , is defined as
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∇∙𝐹 = 𝑖 +𝑗 +𝑘 ∙ 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧
= + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Thus, the divergence of a vector point function is a scalar point function. If ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 0, then the
vector 𝐹 is called solenoidal.
5.7 Physical Significance of Divergence of a Vector Point Function
To understand the physical significance of divergence of a vector point function, let us consider
a flow of fluid through a small parallelopiped kept in a mass of fluid with edges 𝛿𝑥, 𝛿𝑦, 𝛿𝑧 and
with one of its corners at 𝐴 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 .
Let us assume that 𝑣 = 𝑣𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑣𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑣𝑧 𝑘 is the velocity of fluid at point 𝐴. We shall now
determine the total outflow of the fluid over the surface of the element of volume.
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-11

Fig. 5.3
The flow of fluid entering through the face 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 per unit time is 𝑣𝑦 𝛿𝑥 𝛿𝑧. The flow of fluid
flowing out through the opposite face 𝐸𝐹𝐺𝐻 per unit time is 𝑣𝑦 +𝛿𝑦 𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑧.
Therefore, the change in the flow of fluid flowing across these two faces per unit time is equal to
𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑦
𝑣𝑦 +𝛿𝑦 𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑧 − 𝑣𝑦 𝛿𝑥 𝛿𝑧 = 𝑣𝑦 + 𝛿𝑦 𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑧 − 𝑣𝑦 𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑧 = 𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑦𝛿𝑧
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
Similarly, the changes in the flow of fluid flowing across the remaining two pairs of faces per
unit time are
𝜕𝑣𝑥 ∂vz
𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑦𝛿𝑧 and 𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑦𝛿𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
Therefore, the total change in the flow of fluid inside the parallelopiped per unit time is equal to
𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑥
+ + 𝛿𝑥𝛿𝑦𝛿𝑧.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Hence, the rate of change of the outward flow of fluid per unit time per unit volume is
𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑧
+ + = ∇ ∙ 𝑣,
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
by the definition of divergence. Hence, div 𝑣 gives the rate at which the fluid flows out through a
unit volume.
Example 5.10 Find the value of the constant 𝜆 such that the vector field defined by 𝐹 =
2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 𝑖 + 3𝑥𝑦 3 − 𝑥 2 𝑧 𝑗 + (𝜆𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 + 𝑥𝑦)𝑘 is solenoidal.
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 𝑖 + 3𝑥𝑦 3 − 𝑥 2 𝑧 𝑗 + (𝜆𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 + 𝑥𝑦)𝑘
⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 , 𝐹𝑦 = 3𝑥𝑦 3 − 𝑥 2 𝑧, 𝐹𝑧 = 𝜆𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 + 𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧
⇒ = 4𝑥𝑦 2 , = 9𝑥𝑦 2 , = 𝜆𝑥𝑦 2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
Since, the vector is solenoidal, hence ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 0
5-12 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

i.e.
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧
+ + =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
or,
4𝑥𝑦 2 + 9𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝜆𝑥𝑦 2 = 0
or,
𝑥𝑦 2 13 + 𝜆 = 0
or,
13 + 𝜆 = 0
or,
𝜆 = −13
Example 5.11. If 𝐹 = 𝑥 + 3𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑦 − 2𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑧 + 𝑥 𝑘 is solenoidal, find the value of 𝑎.
Solution: We know that 𝐹 is solenoidal if 𝐹 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 0.
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹2 𝜕𝐹3
𝑁𝑜𝑤, ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 𝑦 − 2𝑧 + 𝑎𝑧 + 𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
=1+1+𝑎 =2+𝑎
𝐹 is solenoidal if ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 0
∴ 2+𝑎 =0
⟹ 𝑎 = −2
Example 5.12 Find ∇ ∙ 𝐹 where 𝐹 = grad 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧 .
Solution: Let 𝜙 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧, then
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧, = 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧, = 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧 𝑗 + (3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦)𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘
⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧, 𝐹𝑦 = 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧, 𝐹𝑧 = 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧
⇒ = 6𝑥, = 6𝑦, = 6𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧
⇒∇∙𝐹 = + + = 6𝑥 + 6𝑦 + 6𝑧 = 6 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑟
Example 5.13 Prove that div 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 = 𝑛 + 3 𝑟 𝑛 . Hence show that is solenoidal.
𝑟3
1
Solution: We have 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 and 𝑟 = 𝑟 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-13

𝑛
∴ div 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 = ∇ ∙ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
=∇∙ 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑧𝑘

= ∇ ∙ {𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘}
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
Where 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 𝑥, 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 𝑦, 𝐹𝑧 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 𝑧
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧
∴ ∇∙𝐹 = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝑛 𝜕 𝑛 𝜕 𝑛
= 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑥 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑦 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑛 2 𝑛 𝑛
= 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 −1 ∙ 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2
2
𝑛 2 𝑛 𝑛
+ 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 −1 ∙ 2𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2
2
𝑛 2 𝑛 𝑛
+ 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 −1 ∙ 2𝑧 2 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2
2
𝑛−2 𝑛
= 𝑛 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 + 3 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2
𝑛 𝑛
= 𝑛 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 + 3 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2

𝑛
Hence ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = ∇ ∙ 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 = 𝑛 + 3 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 2 = 𝑛 + 3 𝑟 𝑛 … … … … … … … . (1)
Let us put 𝑛 = −3 in (1) to obtain
∇ ∙ 𝑟 −3 𝑟 = 0
𝑟
⇒∇∙ =0
𝑟3
𝑟
Hence is solenoidal.
𝑟3
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
Example 5.14 Find ∇ ∙ 𝐹 , where 𝐹 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘.
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
= 1 𝑖+ 1 𝑗+ 1 𝑘
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 1, 𝐹𝑦 = 1, 𝐹𝑧 = 1
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 2
𝑧 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 2
𝑧 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2

1 1 2 1
−1
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 −𝑥∙ 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 ∙ 2𝑥
⇒ = 2
𝜕𝑥 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
1 1
−
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 − 𝑥2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2
=
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
5-14 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 − 𝑥2 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
= 3 = 3 =
𝑟3
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2

𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝑧 2 +𝑥 2 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
Similarly, = , =
𝜕𝑦 𝑟3 𝜕𝑧 𝑟3

𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧

∴ ∇∙𝐹 = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑦2 + 𝑧2 𝑧2 + 𝑥2 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
= + +
𝑟3 𝑟3 𝑟3
2(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 ) 2𝑟 2 2
= = 3 = .
𝑟3 𝑟 𝑟
5.8 Curl of a Vector Point Function
Let 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 be a vector point function defined and differentiable at each point
(x,y,z) of the region of space.
Then, the curl of vector point function 𝐹 , denoted as curl F or ∇ × 𝐹 , is defined as
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑥
∇×𝐹 = =𝑖 − −𝑗 − +𝑘 −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧
Thus, the curl of a vector point function is always a vector point function.
If curl F = 0, the vector point function 𝐹 is said to be irrotational.
5.9 Physical Significance of 𝛁 × 𝑭
To interpret the curl of a vector point function physically, let us consider a motion of a rigid
body about a fixed axis passing through origin. Let the angular velocity of the rigid body be
𝜔 = 𝜔1 𝑖 + 𝜔2 𝑗 + 𝜔3 𝑘 . Let 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 be the position vector of any point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) on
the body. Then, the linear velocity 𝑣 of the point 𝑃 is given by
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑣 = 𝜔 × 𝑟 = 𝜔1 𝜔2 𝜔3
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
= 𝜔2 𝑧 − 𝜔3 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝜔3 𝑥 − 𝜔1 𝑧 𝑗 + 𝜔1 𝑦 − 𝜔2 𝑥 𝑘
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Therefore,curl v = ∇ × 𝑣 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜔2 𝑧 − 𝜔3 𝑦 𝜔3 𝑥 − 𝜔1 𝑧 𝜔1 𝑦 − 𝜔2 𝑥
= 2 𝜔1 𝑖 + 𝜔2 𝑗 + 𝜔3 𝑘 = 2𝜔
1
⇒𝜔= curl 𝑣
2
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-15

It follows, therefore, that the angular velocity at any point is equal to half of the curl of the linear
velocity at the point of the body. Thus, curl is a measure of rotation. If curl 𝑣 = 0, the vector 𝑣 is
called an irrotational vector.
Example 5.15 Find 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 if 𝐹 = 𝑎𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑧 3 𝑖 + 3𝑥 2 − 𝑐𝑧 𝑗 + 3𝑥𝑧 2 − 𝑦 𝑘 is irrotational.
Solution: 𝐹 is irrotational if curl 𝐹 = 0.
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴ curl 𝐹 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑎𝑥𝑦 + 𝑏𝑧 3 2
3𝑥 − 𝑐𝑧 3𝑥𝑧 2 − 𝑦
= 𝑖 −1 + 𝑐 − 𝑗 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑏𝑧 2 + 𝑘 6𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥
∴ 𝑐 − 1 = 0, 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑏𝑧 2 = 0, 6𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥 = 0
∴ 𝑐 = 1, 𝑏 = 1, 𝑎 = 6.
Example 5.16 If 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 , then show that
(i) ∇ ∙ 𝑟 = 3
(ii) ∇ × 𝑟 = 0
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘

⇒ 𝐹 = 𝑟 and 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑥, 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑦, 𝐹𝑧 = 𝑧
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
(i) ∇ ∙ 𝑟 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = + + = + + =1+1+1=3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘 𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
(ii) ∇ × 𝑟 = ∇ × 𝐹 = 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
=
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
=𝑖 − −𝑗 − +𝑘 −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
= 𝑖 0 − 𝑗 0 + 𝑘 0 = 0.
Example 5.17 Find curl 𝐹 , where 𝐹 = ∇ 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧 .
Solution: Let 𝜙 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧, then
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧, = 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧, = 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧 𝑗 + 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
=𝐹
= 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘
⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧, 𝐹𝑦 = 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧, 𝐹𝑧 = 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦
5-16 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴ Curl 𝐹 = ∇ × 𝐹 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
2 2 2
3𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑧 3𝑦 − 3𝑥𝑧 3𝑧 − 3𝑥𝑦
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
=𝑖 (3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦) − (3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧) − 𝑗 (3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦) − (3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕
+𝑘 (3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥𝑧) − (3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
= 𝑖 −3𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 𝑗 −3𝑦 + 3𝑦 + 𝑘 −3𝑧 + 3𝑧
= 𝑖 0 − 𝑗 0 + 𝑘 0 = 0.

Example 5.18 If 𝐹 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 𝑖 + 𝑗 − (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑘 , prove that 𝐹 ∙ Curl 𝐹 = 0.

Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 𝑖 + 𝑗 − (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑘

⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1, 𝐹𝑦 = 1, 𝐹𝑧 = −(𝑥 + 𝑦)
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴ Curl 𝐹 = ∇ × 𝐹 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑥+𝑦+1 1 − 𝑥+𝑦
𝜕 𝜕(1) 𝜕 𝜕
=𝑖 (−𝑥 − 𝑦) − −𝑗 (−𝑥 − 𝑦) − (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕(1) 𝜕
+𝑘 − (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
= 𝑖 −1 − 𝑗 −1 − 0 + 𝑘 −1
= −𝑖 + 𝑗 − 𝑘

Hence 𝐹 ∙ Curl 𝐹 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 𝑖 + 𝑗 − 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑘 ∙ −𝑖 + 𝑗 − 𝑘
= 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 −1 + 1 1 + − 𝑥 + 𝑦 (−1)
= −𝑥 − 𝑦 − 1 + 1 + 𝑥 + 𝑦
= 0.
𝑚
Example 5.19 If ∇ × 𝐹 = 0 where 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑥 𝑛 𝑖 + 𝑦 𝑛 𝑗 + 𝑧 𝑛 𝑘 , then show that 𝑚 = 0, 𝑛 = −1
𝑚
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑥𝑛 𝑖 + 𝑦𝑛 𝑗 + 𝑧𝑛 𝑘
= 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 𝑖 + 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 𝑗 + 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑘
⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 , 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 , 𝐹𝑧 = 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛
=0
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴∇×𝐹 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-17

=0
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
⇒
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑚 +𝑛 𝑚 𝑚
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 +𝑛
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
𝜕 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 +𝑛 𝜕
⇒𝑖 (𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 ) − (𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 )
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 +𝑛 𝜕
−𝑗 (𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 ) − (𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝑚 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑚 𝜕 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑚 𝑚
+𝑘 (𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 )− 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
⇒ 𝑖 𝑚 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 −1
− 𝑗 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 −1
+ 𝑘 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 − 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 = 0

⇒ 𝑚 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 −1
= 0, 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 −1
= 0, 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 − 𝑚𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 = 0

⇒ 𝑚 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 −1
= 0, 𝑚 𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 −1
= 0, 𝑚 𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 +1 𝑧 𝑚 − 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 = 0

⇒ 𝑚 = 0 and 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 −1
= 0, 𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 − 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 −1
= 0, 𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 − 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 = 0

⇒ 𝑚 = 0 and 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚 −1 ,
𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 +𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 𝑧 𝑚 −1 , 𝑥 𝑚 −1 𝑦 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑧 𝑚
= 𝑥 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑦 𝑚 −1 𝑧 𝑚

⇒ 𝑚 = 0 and 𝑧 𝑛+1 = 𝑦 𝑛+1 ∵ 𝑥 ≠ 0 , 𝑧 𝑛+1 = 𝑥 𝑛+1 ∵ 𝑦 ≠ 0 , 𝑦 𝑛 +1

= 𝑥 𝑛 +1 ∵ 𝑧 ≠ 0
𝑚 = 0 and n = −1 (∵ z ≠ y, x ≠ z, x ≠ y)

Example: 5.20. Show that 𝐹 = 𝑟 /𝑟 2 is irrotational. Find 𝜙 such that 𝐹 = −∇𝜙 where
𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘.
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑟 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Solution: we have curl = 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑟2
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
𝑟2 𝑟2 𝑟2
𝜕 𝑧 𝜕 𝑦
=𝑖 2
− + 𝑗 …… + 𝑘 ……
𝜕𝑦 𝑟 𝜕𝑧 𝑟 2
5-18 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

2 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑧
=𝑖 − + 3 +𝑗 …… + 𝑘 ……
𝑟3 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
= 0𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 0𝑘 = 0

∴ 𝐹 is irrotational.

Now, 𝐹 = −∇𝜙 gives

𝑟 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= = − 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘
𝑟2 𝑟2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝑥 𝑥
∴ =− 2=− 2
𝜕𝑥 𝑟 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
𝜕𝜙 𝑦 𝑦
=− 2=− 2
𝜕𝑦 𝑟 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
𝜕𝜙 𝑧 𝑦
=− 2=− 2
𝜕𝑧 𝑟 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
But 𝑑𝜙 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑑𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦𝑑𝑦 + 𝑧𝑑𝑧
=−
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
On integration we have,
1
𝜙 = − log 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
2
5.10 Vector Identities
If 𝜙 is a scalar point function and 𝑢, 𝑣 are vector point functions, then we have the following
vector identities:
I. Div 𝜙 𝑢 = ∇ ∙ 𝜙 𝑢 = 𝜙 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + ∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑢
II. Curl 𝜙 𝑢 = ∇ × 𝜙 𝑢 = 𝜙 ∇ × 𝑢 + ∇𝜙 × 𝑢
III. Div 𝑢 × 𝑣 = ∇ ∙ 𝑢 × 𝑣 = 𝑣 ∙ ∇ × 𝑢 − u ∙ ∇ × 𝑣
IV. Curl 𝑢 × 𝑣 = ∇ × 𝑢 × 𝑣 = 𝑢 ∇ ∙ 𝑣 − v ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∙ ∇ 𝑢 − (𝑢 ∙ ∇)𝑣
V. Grad 𝑢 ∙ 𝑣 = ∇ 𝑢 ∙ 𝑣 = 𝑢 × ∇ × 𝑣 + v × ∇ × 𝑢 + 𝑢 ∙ ∇ 𝑣 + (𝑣 ∙ ∇)𝑢

Proof I: Let 𝑢 = 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘, then

𝜙𝑢 = 𝜙𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝜙𝑢2 𝑗 + (𝜙𝑢3 )𝑘

𝜕 𝜙𝑢1 𝜕 𝜙𝑢2 𝜕 𝜙𝑢3
∴ ∇ ∙ 𝜙𝑢 = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝜙
= 𝜙 + 𝑢1 + 𝜙 + 𝑢2 + 𝜙 + 𝑢3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-19

𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙

=𝜙 + + + 𝑢1 + 𝑢2 + 𝑢3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 𝜙 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝜙 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + 𝑢 ∙ ∇𝜙

= 𝜙 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + ∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑢 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆
II. Let 𝑢 = 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘, then
𝜙𝑢 = 𝜙𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝜙𝑢2 𝑗 + (𝜙𝑢3 )𝑘
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴ ∇ × 𝜙𝑢 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜙𝑢1 𝜙𝑢2 𝜙𝑢3
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
=𝑖 (𝜙𝑢3 ) − (𝜙𝑢2 ) − 𝑗 (𝜙𝑢3 ) − (𝜙𝑢1 ) + 𝑘 (𝜙𝑢2 ) − (𝜙𝑢1 )
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝜙
=𝑖 𝜙 + 𝑢3 − 𝜙 + 𝑢2 − 𝑗 𝜙 + 𝑢3 − 𝜙 + 𝑢
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 1
𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝜙
+𝑘 𝜙 + 𝑢2 − 𝜙 − 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 1
𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
=𝜙 − 𝑖− − 𝑗+ − 𝑘 +𝑖 𝑢 − 𝑢
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 3 𝜕𝑧 2
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
−𝑗 𝑢3 − 𝑢1 + 𝑘 𝑢2 − 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 1
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
=𝜙 ∇×𝑢 + 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 × (𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝜙 ∇ × 𝑢 + ∇𝜙 × 𝑢 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆

III Let 𝑢 = 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 and 𝑣 = 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑘 , then

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑢 × 𝑣 = 𝑢1 𝑢2 𝑢3 = 𝑖 𝑢2 𝑣3 − 𝑢3 𝑣2 − 𝑗 𝑢1 𝑣3 − 𝑣1 𝑢3 + 𝑘 𝑢1 𝑣2 − 𝑢2 𝑣1
𝑣1 𝑣2 𝑣3

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴∇∙ 𝑢×𝑣 = 𝑢2 𝑣3 − 𝑢3 𝑣2 − 𝑢1 𝑣3 − 𝑣1 𝑢3 + 𝑢 𝑣 − 𝑢2 𝑣1
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 1 2
𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢1
= 𝑢2 + 𝑣3 − 𝑢3 + 𝑣2 − 𝑢1 + 𝑣3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢2
+ 𝑣1 + 𝑢3 + 𝑢1 + 𝑣2 − 𝑢2 + 𝑣1
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
5-20 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢1

= 𝑣1 − − 𝑣2 − + 𝑣3 −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣1
− 𝑢1 − − 𝑢2 − + 𝑢3 −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
= 𝑣 ∙ ∇ × 𝑢 − 𝑢 ∙ ∇ × 𝑣 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆
IV Let 𝑢 = 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 and 𝑣 = 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑘, then
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑢 × 𝑣 = 𝑢1 𝑢2 𝑢3 = 𝑖 𝑢2 𝑣3 − 𝑢3 𝑣2 − 𝑗 𝑢1 𝑣3 − 𝑣1 𝑢3 + 𝑘 𝑢1 𝑣2 − 𝑢2 𝑣1
𝑣1 𝑣2 𝑣3
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴ Curl 𝑢 × 𝑣 = ∇ × 𝑢 × 𝑣 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑢2 𝑣3 − 𝑢3 𝑣2 𝑢3 𝑣1 − 𝑢1 𝑣3 𝑢1 𝑣2 − 𝑢2 𝑣1
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
=𝑖 𝑢1 𝑣2 − 𝑢2 𝑣1 − 𝑢3 𝑣1 − 𝑢1 𝑣3 − 𝑗 𝑢1 𝑣2 − 𝑢2 𝑣1 − 𝑢 𝑣 − 𝑢3 𝑣2
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 2 3
𝜕 𝜕
+𝑘 𝑢3 𝑣1 − 𝑢1 𝑣3 − 𝑢 𝑣 − 𝑢3 𝑣2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 3
𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢1
= 𝑖 𝑢1 + 𝑣2 − 𝑢2 − 𝑣1 − 𝑢3 − 𝑣1 + 𝑢1 + 𝑣3
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢3
+𝑗 −𝑢1 − 𝑣2 + 𝑢2 + 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 + 𝑣3 − 𝑢3 − 𝑣2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢3
+𝑘 𝑢3 + 𝑣1 − 𝑢1 − 𝑣3 − 𝑢2 − 𝑣3 + 𝑢3 + 𝑣2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣2
= 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 + 𝑢1 𝑖 − 𝑢1 𝑖+ 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢3 𝑘 + 𝑢2 𝑗 − 𝑢2 𝑗
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢1
+ 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 − 𝑢3 𝑘− 𝑣 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑘 + 𝑣1 𝑖
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢3
+𝑣1 𝑖− 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣3 𝑘 + 𝑣2 𝑗 + 𝑣2 𝑗− 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑘 − 𝑣3 𝑘.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢2
+𝑣1 𝑗+ 𝑘+ 𝑖 − 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑖+ 𝑘+ 𝑖 − 𝑣2 𝑗
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣3
+𝑣3 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 − 𝑣3 𝑘 − 𝑢2 𝑖 − 𝑢3 𝑖 − 𝑢1 𝑗 − 𝑢1 𝑘 − 𝑢2 𝑘
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢
= 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 + + − 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑘 + + + 𝑣1
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3
+ 𝑣2 + 𝑣3 − 𝑢1 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3
− 𝑢2 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 − 𝑢3 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-21

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
= 𝑢 ∇ ∙ 𝑣 − 𝑣 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + v ∙ ∇ 𝑢 − 𝑢1 − 𝑢2 − 𝑢3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝑢 ∇ ∙ 𝑣 − 𝑣 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + v ∙ ∇ 𝑢 − u ∙ ∇ 𝑣 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆

V Let 𝑢 = 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑘 and 𝑣 = 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑘, then

𝑢 ∙ 𝑣 = 𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3

∴ Grad 𝑢 ∙ 𝑣 = ∇ 𝑢 ∙ 𝑣 = ∇ 𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 𝑖 + 𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 𝑗 + 𝑢 𝑣 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 1 1
𝜕 𝑢1 𝑣1 𝜕 𝑢2 𝑣2 𝜕 𝑢3 𝑣3 𝜕 𝑢1 𝑣1 𝜕 𝑢2 𝑣2 𝜕 𝑢3 𝑣3 𝜕 𝑢1 𝑣1
= 𝑖+ 𝑖+ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑗+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝑢2 𝑣2 𝜕 𝑢3 𝑣3
+ 𝑘+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣2
= 𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑢2 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑖 + 𝑢3 𝑖 + 𝑣3 𝑖 + 𝑢1 𝑗 + 𝑣1 𝑗 + 𝑢2 𝑗
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢2
+ 𝑣2 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑗 + 𝑢1 𝑘 + 𝑣1 𝑘 + 𝑢2 𝑘 + 𝑣2 𝑘
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢3
+ 𝑢3 𝑘 + 𝑣3 𝑘
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣1
= 𝑖 𝑢2 − 𝑢2 − 𝑢3 + 𝑢3 + 𝑢2 𝑖 + 𝑢3 𝑖
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣2
+ 𝑗 𝑢1 − 𝑢1 + 𝑢3 − 𝑢3 + 𝑢1 𝑗 + 𝑢3 𝑗
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣3
+ 𝑘 𝑢1 − 𝑢1 + 𝑢2 − 𝑢2 + 𝑢1 𝑘 + 𝑢2 𝑘
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑢2
+𝑢1 𝑖 + 𝑣1 𝑖 + 𝑣2 𝑖 + 𝑣3 𝑖 + 𝑣1 𝑗 + 𝑢2 𝑗 + 𝑣2 𝑗
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑢3
+ 𝑣3 𝑗 + 𝑣1 𝑘 + 𝑣2 𝑘 + 𝑢3 𝑘 + 𝑣3 𝑘
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3
=𝑖 𝑢2 − 𝑢2 − 𝑢3 − 𝑢3 + 𝑗 𝑢1 − 𝑢1 − 𝑢3 − 𝑢3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣2
+𝑘 𝑢1 − 𝑢1 − 𝑢2 − 𝑢2
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢1
+𝑖 𝑣2 − 𝑣2 − 𝑣3 − 𝑣3 + 𝑣2 𝑖 + 𝑣3 𝑖
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢2
+𝑗 𝑣1 − 𝑣1 − 𝑣3 − 𝑣3 + 𝑣1 𝑗 + 𝑣3 𝑗
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢3
+𝑘 𝑣1 − 𝑣1 − 𝑣2 − 𝑣2 + 𝑣1 𝑘 + 𝑣2 𝑘
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
5-22 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3 𝜕𝑣1 𝜕𝑣2 𝜕𝑣3

+𝑢1 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 + 𝑢2 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 + 𝑢3 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3 𝜕𝑢1 𝜕𝑢2 𝜕𝑢3
+𝑣1 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 + 𝑣2 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 + 𝑣3 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧

= 𝑢 × ∇ × 𝑣 + 𝑣 × ∇ × 𝑢 + 𝑢 ∙ ∇ 𝑣 + 𝑣 ∙ ∇ 𝑢.

5.11 Group Operator Involving 𝛁

If 𝜙 is a scalar point function and 𝐹 is a vector point function, then
I. 𝐹 ∙ ∇ 𝜙 = 𝐹 ∙ ∇𝜙
II. 𝐹 ∙ ∇ 𝑟 = 𝐹 ∙ ∇𝜙, where 𝑟 is the position vector
III. 𝑑𝑟 ∙ ∇ 𝐹 = 𝑑𝐹
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Proof: I.𝐿𝐻𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ ∇ 𝜙 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 ∙ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 𝜙
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 + 𝐹𝑧 𝜙
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 + 𝐹𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 ∙ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝐹 ∙ ∇𝜙 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
II. 𝐿𝐻𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ ∇ 𝑟 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 ∙ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 𝑟
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑟
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟
= 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 + 𝐹𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 𝐹
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
III. 𝐿𝐻𝑆 = 𝑑𝑟 ∙ ∇ 𝐹 = 𝑑𝑥𝑖 + 𝑑𝑦𝑗 + 𝑑𝑧𝑘 ∙ 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 𝐹
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑑𝑧 𝐹
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹
= 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑑𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹
= 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝐹 = 𝑅𝐻𝑆
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-23

5.12 Second order Differential Operators

Let 𝜙 be a scalar point function and 𝐹 be a vector point function, then ∇𝜙, ∇ ∙ 𝐹 and ∇ × 𝐹 are
respectively vector scalar and vector point functions.
Hence, following are the possible forms of second order differential operators:
I. ∇ ∙ (∇𝜙)
II. ∇ × (∇𝜙)
III. ∇ ∇ ∙ 𝐹
IV. ∇ ∙ ∇ × 𝐹
V. ∇ × ∇ × 𝐹
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
I. ∇ ∙ ∇𝜙 = ∇ ∙
𝜕𝑥
𝑖 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑗 + 𝜕𝑧 𝑘

𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕2𝜙 𝜕2𝜙 𝜕2𝜙

= + + = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2
𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2
= + + 𝜙 = ∇2 𝜙
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2

∴ ∇ ∙ ∇𝜙 = ∇2 𝜙
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
II. ∇ × ∇𝜙 = ∇ × 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝜕𝜙
=𝑖 − −𝑗 − +𝑘 −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 𝜙 𝜕2 𝜙 𝜕2 𝜙 𝜕2 𝜙 𝜕2 𝜙 𝜕2 𝜙
=𝑖 − −𝑗 − +𝑘 −
𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥

=𝑖 0 −𝑗 0 +𝑘 0 =0
𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧
III. ∇ ∇∙𝐹 =∇
𝜕𝑥
+ 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝜕𝑧

𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧

= + + 𝑖+ + + 𝑗+ + + 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧
= 2
+ + 𝑖+ + 2
+ 𝑗+ + + 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 2
5-24 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑥
∇∙ ∇×𝐹 = =∇∙ 𝑖 − −𝑗 − +𝑘 −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧
𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑥
= − − − + −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥
= − − + + −
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑦
𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥
= − − + + − = 0.
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑧

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑥
IV. ∇ × ∇ × 𝐹 = ∇ × =∇× 𝑖 − −𝑗 − +𝑘 −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑥
− − + −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑥
=𝑖 − − − −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑦 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑦
−𝑗 − − −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝐹𝑧 𝜕𝐹𝑦
+𝑘 − + − −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦
=𝑖 − + − − 𝑗 − − +
𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 2
𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐹𝑦
+𝑘 − 2 + − +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑧

Example 5.21 Given that 𝜚𝐹 = ∇𝑝 where 𝜚, 𝑝, 𝐹 are point functions, prove that 𝐹 ∙ Curl 𝐹 = 0.
1
Solution: Given that 𝜚𝐹 = ∇𝑝, we have 𝐹=
𝜚
∇𝑝
1 1 1 1 1 1
∴ 𝐹 ∙ Curl 𝐹 = ∇𝑝 ∙ ∇ × F = ∇𝑝 ∙ ∇ × ∇𝑝 = ∇𝑝 ∙ ∇ × ∇𝑝 + ∇ × ∇𝑝
𝜚 𝜚 𝜚 𝜚 𝜚 𝜚
1 1
= ∇𝑝 ∙ ∇ × ∇𝑝 [∵ ∇ × ∇p = 0]
𝜚 𝜚
1 1 1 1
= ∇𝑝 ∙ −∇𝑝 × ∇ = − ∇𝑝 × ∇𝑝 ∙ ∇ = 0
𝜚 𝜚 𝜚 𝜚
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-25

Example 5.22 If 𝑟 and 𝑟 have their usual meanings and 𝑎, 𝑏 are constant vectors, then prove that
(i) ∇ ∙ 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 = 𝑛 + 3 𝑟 𝑛
(ii) ∇ × 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 = 0
(iii) ∇2 𝑟 𝑛 = 𝑛 𝑛 + 1 𝑟 𝑛−2
𝑎 ×𝑟 2−𝑛
(iv) ∇ × = 𝑎 + 𝑛 𝑟 −(𝑛+2) 𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 𝑟
𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑛

(v) Curl 𝑟 × 𝑎 × 𝑏 = 𝑏 × 𝑎

1 3 𝑎∙𝑟 𝑏∙𝑟 𝑎∙𝑏

(vi) 𝑎 ∙ ∇ 𝑏 ∙ ∇
𝑟
= 𝑟5
− 𝑟3
Proof I. ∇ ∙ 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 = ∇ ∙ 𝜙𝑢 , where 𝜙 = 𝑟 𝑛 and 𝑢 = 𝑟
= 𝜙 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + ∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑢
= 𝑟 𝑛 ∇ ∙ 𝑟 + ∇𝑟 𝑛 ∙ 𝑟
= 𝑟 𝑛 3 + 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟 ∙ 𝑟
= 3𝑟 𝑛 + 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟 ∙ 𝑟
= 3𝑟 𝑛 + 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟 2 = 3𝑟 𝑛 + 𝑛𝑟 𝑛 = 𝑛 + 3 𝑟 𝑛
II. ∇ × 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 = ∇ × 𝜙𝑢 , where 𝜙 = 𝑟 𝑛 and 𝑢 = 𝑟
=𝜙 ∇×𝑢 + ∇×𝜙 ∙𝑢
= 𝑟 𝑛 ∇ × 𝑟 + ∇𝑟 𝑛 × 𝑟
= 𝑟 𝑛 0 + 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟 × 𝑟 ∵ ∇ × 𝑟 = 0

= 0 + 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟 × 𝑟 = 0. ∵𝑎×𝑎 =0
III: ∇2 𝑟 𝑛 = ∇ ∙ ∇ 𝑟 𝑛 = ∇ ∙ ∇𝑟 𝑛 ∵ 𝐹 ∙ ∇ 𝜙 = 𝐹 ∙ ∇𝜙
= ∇ ∙ {𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟}
= 𝑛∇ ∙ {𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟}
= 𝑛 𝑟 𝑛−2 ∇ ∙ 𝑟 + ∇𝑟 𝑛−2 ∙ 𝑟
= 𝑛 𝑟 𝑛−2 3 + 𝑛 − 2 𝑟 𝑛−4 𝑟 ∙ 𝑟
= 𝑛 3𝑟 𝑛−2 + 𝑛 − 2 𝑟 𝑛−4 𝑟 ∙ 𝑟
= 𝑛 3𝑟 𝑛−2 + 𝑛 − 2 𝑟 𝑛−4 (𝑟 2 )
= 𝑛 3𝑟 𝑛−2 + 𝑛 − 2 𝑟 𝑛−2
= 𝑛 3 + 𝑛 − 2 𝑟 𝑛−2 = 𝑛 𝑛 + 1 𝑟 𝑛−2
𝑎 ×𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
IV: ∇ × =∇× 𝑎× = ∇ × 𝑢 × 𝑣 , where 𝑢 = 𝑎, 𝑣 =
𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑛

= 𝑢 ∇ ∙ 𝑣 − 𝑣 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∙ ∇ 𝑢 − (𝑢 ∙ ∇)𝑣
5-26 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
=𝑎 ∇∙ 𝑛
− 𝑛 ∇∙𝑎 + 𝑛 ∙∇ 𝑎− 𝑎∙∇ 𝑛
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑟 𝑟
=𝑎 ∇∙ 𝑛
− 𝑎 ∙ ∇ 𝑛 ∵ ∇. 𝑎 = 0, 𝐹 ∙ ∇ 𝑎 = 0
𝑟 𝑟
1 1 1
=𝑎 ∇∙ 𝑟 − 𝑎∙∇ 𝑟+ 𝑛 𝑎∙∇ 𝑟
𝑟𝑛 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟
1 1 1 1
=𝑎 𝑛
∇∙𝑟 + ∇ 𝑛 ∙𝑟 − 𝑎∙∇ 𝑛
𝑟+ 𝑛 𝑎 ∵ 𝐹⋅∇ 𝑟 =𝐹
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
1 𝑎
=𝑎 3 + −𝑛 𝑟 −𝑛−2 𝑟 ∙ 𝑟 − 𝑎 ∙ −𝑛𝑟 −𝑛−2 𝑟 𝑟 +
𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑛
3 𝑎
=𝑎 𝑛
– 𝑛𝑟 −𝑛−2 𝑟 ∙ 𝑟 — −𝑛𝑟 −𝑛−2 𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 𝑟 + 𝑛
𝑟 𝑟
3𝑎 𝑎
= 𝑛
− 𝑛 𝑟 −𝑛−2 𝑟 2 𝑎 + 𝑛𝑟 −𝑛−2 𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 𝑟 − 𝑛
𝑟 𝑟
2𝑎 𝑛
= 𝑛 − 𝑛 𝑎 + 𝑛 𝑟 −𝑛−2 (𝑎 ∙ 𝑟)𝑟
𝑟 𝑟
2−𝑛
= 𝑎 + 𝑛𝑟 −𝑛−2 (𝑎 ∙ 𝑟)𝑟
𝑟𝑛
V: Curl 𝑟 × 𝑎 × 𝑏 = ∇ × 𝑟 × 𝑎 × 𝑏 = ∇ × 𝑢 × 𝑣 , where 𝑢 = 𝑟 × 𝑎, 𝑣 = 𝑏
= 𝑢 ∇ ∙ 𝑣 − 𝑣 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∙ ∇ 𝑢 − (𝑢 ∙ ∇)𝑣
= 𝑟×𝑎 ∇∙𝑏 −𝑏 ∇∙ 𝑟×𝑎 + 𝑏 ∙ ∇ 𝑟 × 𝑎 − (𝑟 × 𝑎 ∙ ∇)𝑏

= −𝑏 ∇ ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑎 + 𝑏 ∙ ∇ 𝑟 × 𝑎 ∵ ∇ ∙ 𝑏 = 0, 𝑟 × 𝑎 ∙ ∇ 𝑏 = 0

= −𝑏 𝑎 ∙ ∇ × 𝑟 − 𝑟 ∙ ∇ × 𝑎 + 𝑏∙∇ 𝑟 ×𝑎+𝑟× 𝑏∙∇ 𝑎

= 𝑏 × 𝑎 ∵ ∇ × 𝑟 = 0, ∇ × 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 ∙ ∇ 𝑎 = 0
1 −𝑟
VI: 𝑎 ∙ ∇ 𝑏 ∙ ∇ =𝑎∙∇ 𝑏∙ ∵ ∇𝑟 𝑚 = 𝑚𝑟 𝑚 −2 𝑟
𝑟 𝑟3

𝑟 𝑟
= −𝑎 ∙ ∇ 𝑏 ∙ = −𝑎 ∙ ∇ 𝑢 ∙ 𝑣 , where 𝑢 = 𝑏, 𝑣 =
𝑟3 𝑟3
= −𝑎 ∙ 𝑢 × ∇ × 𝑣 + 𝑣 × ∇ × 𝑢 + 𝑢. ∇ 𝑣 + 𝑣 ∙ ∇ 𝑢
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
= −𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 × ∇ × 3
+ 3× ∇×𝑏 + 𝑏∙∇ 3+ 3∙∇ 𝑏
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
= −𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 × ∇ × 3
+ 𝑏∙∇ 3 ∵ ∇ × 𝑏 = 0, ∙∇ 𝑏 =0
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟3
1 1 1
= −𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 × ∇ × 𝑟 + 𝑏∙∇ 𝑟+ 3 𝑏∙∇ 𝑟
𝑟3 𝑟 3 𝑟
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-27

1 1 1 1
= −𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 × ∇ ×𝑟 + 3 ∇×𝑟 + 𝑏∙∇ 3 𝑟+ 3 𝑏
𝑟3 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
1 𝑏
= −𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 × −3r −5 𝑟 × 𝑟 + 3
∇ × 𝑟 + 𝑏 ∙ −3r −5 𝑟 𝑟 + 3
𝑟 𝑟

3 3 𝑏
= −𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 × − 𝑟×𝑟 +0− 𝑏∙𝑟 𝑟+ 3 ∵ ∇×𝑟 =0
𝑟5 𝑟 5 𝑟

3 𝑏
= −𝑎 ∙ − 5
𝑏∙𝑟 𝑟+ 3 [∵ 𝑟 × 𝑟 = 0]
𝑟 𝑟

3 𝑎∙𝑏
= 𝑏 ∙ 𝑟 (𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 ) −
𝑟5 𝑟3
3 𝑎∙𝑏
= 5
𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 (𝑏 ∙ 𝑟) − 3
𝑟 𝑟
Example 5.23 If 𝑟 is the position vector and 𝑟 = 𝑟 , prove that
𝑑2𝑓 2 𝑑𝑓
(i) ∇2 𝑓 𝑟 = +
𝑑𝑟 2 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
4
(ii) ∇4 𝑒 𝑟 = 𝑒 𝑟 + 𝑒 𝑟
𝑟

Solution: (i) ∇ 𝑓 𝑟 = ∇ ∙ ∇ 𝑓 𝑟 = ∇ ∙ 𝑓 ′ (𝑟)∇𝑟

2

𝑟
= ∇ ∙ 𝑓′ 𝑟
𝑟
𝑓′ 𝑟
=∇∙ 𝑟
𝑟
𝑓′ 𝑟 𝑓′ 𝑟
= ∇ ∙𝑟+ ∇∙𝑟
𝑟 𝑟
𝑑 𝑓′ 𝑟 𝑓′ 𝑟
= ∇𝑟 ∙ 𝑟 + 3
𝑑𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑓 ′′ 𝑟 𝑟 − 𝑓 ′ 𝑟 𝑟 3𝑓 ′ 𝑟
= ∙𝑟+
𝑟2 𝑟 𝑟
𝑓"(𝑟)𝑟 − 𝑓′(𝑟) 𝑟∙𝑟 3𝑓 ′ (𝑟)
= +
𝑟2 𝑟 𝑟
𝑓 ′′ 𝑟 𝑟 − 𝑓 ′ 𝑟 𝑟2 3𝑓 ′ 𝑟
= +
𝑟2 𝑟 𝑟
𝑓′ 𝑟 3𝑓 ′ 𝑟
= 𝑓 ′′ 𝑟 − +
𝑟 𝑟
𝑑2 𝑓 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑓 𝑟
= 2
+ .
𝑑𝑟 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
5-28 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

(ii) ∇4 𝑒 𝑟 = ∇2 ∇2 er = ∇2 {∇2 f(r)} , where 𝑓 𝑟 = 𝑒 𝑟

𝑑2 𝑓 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑓 𝑟
= ∇2 2
+
𝑑𝑟 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑑 2 (𝑒 𝑟 ) 2 𝑑(𝑒 𝑟 )
= ∇2 +
𝑑𝑟 2 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
2
= ∇2 𝑒 𝑟 + 𝑒 𝑟
𝑟
2𝑒 𝑟
= ∇2 𝐹 𝑟 , where 𝐹 𝑟 = 𝑒 𝑟 +
𝑟
𝑑 2 𝐹(𝑟) 2 𝑑𝐹(𝑟)
= +
𝑑𝑟 2 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑑2 𝑟
2𝑒 𝑟 2𝑑 𝑟
2𝑒 𝑟
= 𝑒 + + 𝑒 +
𝑑𝑟 2 𝑟 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑟
𝑑 𝑟 2𝑒 𝑟 𝑟 − 2𝑒 𝑟 2 𝑟 2𝑒 𝑟 𝑟 − 2𝑒 𝑟
= 𝑒 + + 𝑒 +
𝑑𝑟 𝑟2 𝑟 𝑟2
𝑑 𝑟 2𝑒 𝑟 2𝑒 𝑟 2 2𝑒 𝑟 2𝑒 𝑟
= 𝑒 + − 2 + 𝑒𝑟 + − 2
𝑑𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
2𝑒 𝑟 𝑟 − 2𝑒 𝑟 2𝑒 𝑟 𝑟 2 − 2𝑒 𝑟 (2𝑟) 2𝑒 𝑟 4𝑒 𝑟 4𝑒 𝑟
= 𝑒𝑟 + − + + 2 − 3
𝑟2 𝑟4 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
2𝑒 2𝑒 2𝑒 4𝑒 2𝑒 4𝑒 4𝑒
= 𝑒𝑟 + − 2 − 2 + 3 + + 2 − 3
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑟
4𝑒
= 𝑒𝑟 + .
𝑟
Example 5.24 Prove that
(i) ∇2 𝜙𝜓 = 𝜙∇2 ψ + 2∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜓∇2 𝜙
(ii) ∇ ∙ 𝜙∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜙 = 𝜙∇2 𝜓 − 𝜓∇2 𝜙
Solution: (i) ∇2 𝜙𝜓 = ∇ ∙ ∇ 𝜙𝜓 = ∇ ∙ ∇ 𝜙𝜓 = ∇ ∙ {𝜙∇𝜓 + 𝜓∇𝜙}
= ∇ ∙ 𝜙∇𝜓 + ∇ ∙ (𝜓∇𝜙)
= 𝜙 ∇ ∙ ∇𝜓 + ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜓∇ ∙ ∇𝜙 + ∇𝜓 ∙ ∇𝜙
= 𝜙∇2 𝜓 + ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜓∇2 𝜙 + ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓
= 𝜙∇2 𝜓 + 2∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜓 ∇2 𝜙
(ii) ∇ ∙ 𝜙∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜙 = ∇ ∙ 𝜙∇𝜓 − ∇ ∙ 𝜓∇𝜙
= 𝜙 ∇ ∙ ∇𝜓 + ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 − 𝜓 ∇. ∇𝜙 + ∇𝜓 ∙ ∇𝜙
= 𝜙∇2 𝜓 + ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇2 𝜙 − ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 (𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = 𝑏 ∙ 𝑎)
= 𝜙∇2 𝜓 − 𝜓∇2 𝜙
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-29

EXERCISE 2.1
1. Find the rate of change of 𝜙 = 𝑥𝑦𝑧 in the direction normal to the surface 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑥 +
𝑦𝑧 2 = 3 at the point 𝑃 1,1,1 .
1
Ans: 3𝑦𝑧 + 4𝑧𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦
29
2. What is the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 3 at the point (2, −1,1) in the direction
of the vector 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 2𝑘 ?
11
Ans: −
3
3. Find the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 3 at the point 2, −1,1 along the direction
of (i) x-axis and (ii) along the direction which makes equal angles with co-ordinate axes.
5
Ans: i 1 ii −
3
2
4. What is the angle between the normals to the surface 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑧 at the points (1,4,2) and
(−3, −3,3)?
1
Ans: cos −1
22
2 2 2
5. The temperature of the points in space is given by 𝑇 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 . A mosquito
located at (1,1,2) desires to fly in such a direction that it will warm as soon as possible. In
what direction should it move?
Ans: 2𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 2𝑘.
6. If 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 , find 𝑟 ∙ ∇𝜙 for 𝜙 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧.
Ans: 3𝜙.
7. Compute the divergence and curl of vector 𝐹 , where
(i) 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦𝑧𝑖 + 3𝑥 2 𝑦𝑗 + (𝑥𝑧 2 − 𝑦 2 𝑧)𝑘
Ans: 𝑦𝑧 + 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑦 2 , −2𝑦𝑧𝑖 + 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑧 2 𝑗 + (6𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥𝑧)𝑘
(ii) 𝐹 = ∇ 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥
Ans: 0, 0
8. A rigid body is rotating with a constant angular velocity 𝜔 about a fixed axis. If 𝑣 is the
velocity of the body, prove that Curl 𝑣 = 2𝜔.
𝜕𝜙 𝜕 2 𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 2 𝜙
9. If 𝐹 = ∇ × (𝜙𝑖), where ∇2 𝜙 = 0, show that 𝐹 ∙ ∇ × 𝐹 = − .
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧𝜕𝑥

10. If 𝑎, 𝑏 are the constant vectors and 𝑟 is the position vector with module 𝑟, prove that
𝑎 ∙𝑟 𝑎 𝑛 𝑎 ∙𝑟
(i) ∇ = − 𝑟
𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑛 𝑟 𝑛 +2

(ii) ∇ 𝑟 × 𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 × 𝑏 = 𝑏 × 𝑟 × 𝑎 + 𝑎 × (𝑟 × 𝑏)

(iii) ∇ × 𝑎 × 𝑏 × 𝑟 =𝑎×𝑏

(iv) ∇ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑎 × 𝑏 =𝑎×𝑏

(v) ∇ ∙ 𝑏∙𝑟 𝑎 =𝑎∙𝑏

5-30 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

1 3
(vi) ∇ ∙ 𝑟∇ =
𝑟3 𝑟4
𝑎 ×𝑟 𝑎 3(𝑎 ∙𝑟 )𝑟
(vii) ∇ × =− +
𝑟3 𝑟3 𝑟5

(viii) ∇ × 𝑟 × 𝑢 = 𝑟 ∇ ∙ 𝑢 − 2𝑢 − 𝑟 ∙ ∇ 𝑢, where 𝑢 is a vector point function.

11. If 𝜙1 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧, 𝜙2 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 and 𝜙3 = − 2𝑥𝑧 + 2𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧 2 , show that ∇𝜙1 ∙ ∇𝜙2 ×
∇𝜙3 = 0.
12. If 𝑎 is a unit vector show that 𝑎 ∙ ∇ 𝑣 ∙ 𝑎 − ∇ × 𝑣 × 𝑎 = ∇ ∙ 𝑣.
13. Prove that ∇𝑣 2 = 2 𝑣 ∙ ∇ 𝑣 + 2𝑣 × ∇ × 𝑣 .
14. If ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 0, show that Curl Curl Curl Curl F = ∇2 ∇2 𝐹 = ∇4 𝐹 .
15. Compute ∇2 𝑟, ∇2 𝑟 2 and ∇2 (𝑟 −2 ), where 𝑟 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 .
2 2
Ans: , 6, 4 .
𝑟 𝑟

16. If 𝐹 = 3𝑥𝑦𝑖 + 4𝑦𝑧 2 𝑗 − 5𝑥𝑧𝑘 and 𝜙 = 𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥, find Div 𝜙𝐹 and Curl 𝜙𝐹 .
Ans: 3𝑦 3 + 12𝑦 2 𝑧 2 − 5𝑥𝑦 2 − 6𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 4𝑥𝑧 3 + 10𝑥 2 𝑧,
−8𝑦 3 𝑧 − 10𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 12𝑥𝑦𝑧 2 𝑖 + −3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 10𝑥𝑧 2 + 5𝑦 2 𝑧 𝑗
+ 3𝑥 𝑧 − 9𝑥𝑦 2 − 4𝑦𝑧 3 𝑘.
2

5.13 Line Integral

Let 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) be a vector point function defined in certain region of space, and let 𝐶 be some
smooth continuous curve in this region. Let 𝑃 𝑟 be a point on this curve 𝐶. The vector point
function 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) acts at point 𝑃 in the direction as shown in the adjoining figure. 𝑇 is the unit
tangent vector at point 𝑃.
Then the integral of the tangential component of vector point function 𝐹 along the curve 𝐶
between some fixed points A and B is denoted by 𝐶 𝐹 ∙ 𝑇 𝑑𝑠, where 𝑑𝑠 is an arc element. This
𝐴𝐵
integral is called the line integral of 𝐹 along the curve 𝐶 between points A and B. In general, this
line integral along the curve 𝐶 is also defined as 𝐶 𝐹 ∙ 𝑇 𝑑𝑠.

If the curve is closed, this integral is denoted as 𝐶

𝐹 ∙ 𝑇 𝑑𝑠.
𝑑𝑟
If 𝑟 is the position vector of any point 𝑃 of 𝐶, then is a unit vector tangent to the curve at the
𝑑𝑠
point 𝑃. Hence the line integral can also be written as
𝑑𝑟
𝐹 ∙ 𝑇 𝑑𝑠 = 𝐹∙ 𝑑𝑠 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝐶 𝐶 𝑑𝑠 𝐶

= 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑓𝑧 𝑘 ∙ 𝑑𝑥𝑖 + 𝑑𝑦𝑗 + 𝑑𝑧𝑘

𝐶

= (𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑑𝑧)
𝐶
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-31

Fig. 5.4 (a) Fig. 5.4 (b)

Example 5.25 If 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 𝑖 + 𝑥𝑦𝑗 , calculate the line integral 𝐶

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 for the two cases
(i) 𝐶 is the curve 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 joining the points (0,0) and (1,1)
(ii) 𝐶 is the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 joining the points (0,0) and 1,1 .
Solution: (i) Let us consider the parabolic path 𝑂𝑃 joining (0,0) and (1,1). The equation of the
parabola is given as 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 .
∴ 2𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥

∴ 𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐹𝑍 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 0𝑑𝑧
𝐶 𝐶
1
= (𝑦 4 ∙ 2𝑦𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦 2 ∙ 𝑦𝑑𝑦)
0
1 1
𝑦6 𝑦4
=2 +
6 0
4 0
1 1
=2 −0 + −0
6 4
2 1 1 1
= + = +
6 4 3 4
7
= .
12 Figure 2.5
1
(i) 𝐶
𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐹𝑍 𝑑𝑧 = 𝐶
𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥𝑑𝑥
(∵ 𝑦 = 𝑥 ⇒ 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥)
3 1 3 1
𝑥 𝑥 1 1 2
= + = + = .
3 0
3 0
3 3 3

Note: Normally, the value of the line integral 𝐶 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 depends upon the curve joining the
𝐴𝐵
points A and B i.e. we get different values of the line integral along different curves joining the
same points. But if 𝐹 is expressible as the gradient of the scalar point function 𝜙 i.e. if 𝐹 = ∇𝜙,
then
𝐵
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = ∇𝜙 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑑𝜙 = 𝜙 𝐴 = 𝜙𝐵 − 𝜙𝐴
𝐶𝐴𝐵 𝐶𝐴𝐵 𝐶𝐴𝐵
5-32 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Thus, in this case, the value of the line integral depends upon the value that 𝜙 takes at A and B
irrespective of the curve joining A and B. Such field 𝐹 = ∇𝜙 is called a conservative field.
When the field is conservative and the path is closed, we have the value of the line integral as
𝐴
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = ∇ 𝜙 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑑𝜙 = 𝜙 𝐴 = 𝜙𝐴 − 𝜙𝐴 = 0
𝐶 𝐶

The line integral 𝐶 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 along a closed curve 𝐶 is called circulation of 𝐹 around C, which is
zero in a conservative field. Physically speaking, the work done in carrying the particle of unit
mass along a closed curve in a conservative field is zero.
It may here be noted that a conservative force field 𝐹 = ∇𝜙 is also irrotational i.e. ∇ × 𝐹 = ∇ ×
∇𝜙 = 0.
Example 5.26 Find the values of the line integral 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 along the path
(i) 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 joining the points 0,0 and (1,1) and
(ii) 𝑦 = 𝑥 joining the points (0,0) and (1,1), provided that 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 𝑖 + 𝑦 2 𝑗.
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘 = 𝑥 2 𝑖 + 𝑦 2 𝑗 ⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑥 2 , 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑦 2
(i) Value of the line integral along the path 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 :
Here𝑦 2 = 𝑥 ⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑦𝑑𝑦

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = (𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦) = (𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦)

𝐶 𝐶 𝐶
1
= 𝑦 4 2𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 = 2𝑦 5 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
𝐶 0
6 1 3 1
𝑦 𝑦
=2 +
6 0
3 0
1 1 1 1 2
=2 + = + =
6 3 3 3 3
(ii) Value of the line integral along the path 𝑦 = 𝑥:
Here 𝑦 = 𝑥 ⇒ 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = (𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦) = (𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦)

𝐶 𝐶 𝐶

= 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
𝐶
1
𝑥3 2
=2 = .
3 0
3

Hence the values of the line integral along the paths 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 are the same between the
points (0,0) and (1,1).
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-33

Example 5.27 If 𝐹 = 3𝑥𝑦𝑖 − 𝑦 2 𝑗, evaluate 𝐶

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 where 𝐶 is the curve in the xy-plane
𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 from (0,0) to (1,2).
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 = 3𝑥𝑦𝑖 − 𝑦 2 𝑗 ⇒ 𝐹𝑥 = 3𝑥𝑦, 𝐹𝑦 = −𝑦 2

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 3𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
𝐶 𝐶 𝐶
1
= {3𝑥 2𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 − 4𝑥 4 ∙ 4𝑥 𝑑𝑥} (∵ 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 )
0
1 1 1
𝑥4 𝑥6
= {6𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 − 16𝑥 5 𝑑𝑥} = 6 − 16
0 4 0
6 0
1 1 3 8 9 − 16 7
=6 − 16 = − = =− .
4 6 2 3 6 6
Example: 5.28 Evaluate 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 where 𝐹 = cos 𝑦 . 𝑖 − 𝑥 sin 𝑦 . 𝑗 and 𝐶 is the curve in the xy-
plane from (1,0) to (0,1).

Solution: We have
𝐼= cos 𝑦 . 𝑖 − 𝑥 sin 𝑦 . 𝑗 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑑𝑦 𝑗
𝐶

= cos 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑥 sin 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝐶
0,1
= 𝑑 (𝑥 cos 𝑦)
(1,0)
0,1
= 𝑥 cos 𝑦 1,0

= 0 − 1 = −1.
Example 5.29 A vector field is given by 𝐹 = sin 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑦 𝑗. Evaluate the line integral
𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 over a circular path given by 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 , 𝑧 = 0.

Solution: As the particle moves in xy-plane, 𝑧 = 0

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = (𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦) = {sin 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥(1 + cos 𝑦)𝑑𝑦}

𝐶 𝐶 𝐶
2𝜋
= 𝑑 𝑥 sin 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑 𝑎 cos 𝑡 sin 𝑎 sin 𝑡 + 𝑎 cos 𝑡 ∙ 𝑎 cos 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝐶 0

where 𝑥 = 𝑎 cos 𝑡 , 𝑦 = 𝑎 sin 𝑡

2𝜋
2𝜋
𝑎2 sin 2𝑡
= 𝑎 cos 𝑡 sin 𝑎 sin 𝑡 0 + 𝑡−
2 2 0
𝑎2
=0+ 2𝜋 = 𝑎2 𝜋.
2
5-34 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Example: 5.30. Evaluate 𝐶

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 where 𝐹 = 2𝑥𝑖 + 𝑥𝑧 + 𝑦 𝑗 + 2𝑧𝑘 from 𝑂(0, 0, 0) to
𝑃 3, 1, 2 along the line 𝑂𝑃.
Solution: we have
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 2𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑧 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 2𝑧𝑑𝑧
𝐶 𝐶

The equation of the line 𝑂𝑃 is

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
= = =𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑦
3 1 2
∴ 𝑥 = 3𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑡, 𝑧 = 2𝑡
∴ 𝑑𝑥 = 3𝑑𝑡, 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑡, 𝑑𝑧 = 2𝑑𝑡
When 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑧 = 0, 𝑡 = 0 and when 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = 1, 𝑧 = 2, 𝑡 = 1
1
∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 6𝑡 3𝑑𝑡 + 6𝑡 2 − 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 + 4𝑡 2𝑑𝑡
𝐶 0
1
𝑡2 29
= 9𝑡 + 2𝑡 − + 4𝑡 2
2 3
=
2 0
2

Example 5.31 Evaluate 𝐶

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 where 𝐶 is the square formed by the lines 𝑦 = ±1 and 𝑥 = ±1,
and 𝐹 = 𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 𝑗.
2 2

Solution: The curve 𝐶 is shown in following figure:We note that

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝐶 𝐶

= 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
𝐶

= + + +
𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶 𝐶𝐷 𝐷𝐴

Figure 2.6
Along AB we have 𝑥 = 1 and so, 𝑑𝑥 = 0. Also, along AB, 𝑦 varies from −1 and +1.
Thus
1 1
2 2 2 2
𝑦3 1 8
{ 𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦} = 1 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑦 + =2 1+ =
𝐴𝐵 −1 3 −1
3 3
Along BC, we have 𝑦 = 1 and so, 𝑑𝑦 = 0. Also, along BC, 𝑥 varies from 1 and −1. So
−1 −1
2 2 2 2
𝑥3 𝑥2 2
{ 𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦} = 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = + =−
𝐵𝐶 1 3 2 1
3
Along CD, we have 𝑥 = −1 and so, 𝑑𝑥 = 0. Also, along CD, 𝑦 varies from 1 and −1. Thus
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-35

−1 −1
2 2 2 2
𝑦3 2 8
{ 𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦} = 1 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑦 + = −2 − =−
𝐶𝐷 1 3 1
3 3
Along DA, we have 𝑦 = −1 and so, 𝑑𝑦 = 0. Also, along DA, 𝑥 varies from −1 and +1. So
1 1
𝑥3 𝑥2 2
{ 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦} = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = − =
𝐷𝐴 −1 3 2 −1
3

8 2 8 2
Hence 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 = − − + = 0.
𝐶 3 3 3 3
Example 5.32 Find the total work done in moving a particle in a force field, given by 𝐹 =
3𝑥𝑦𝑖 − 5𝑧𝑗 + 10𝑥𝑘, along the curve 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 + 1, 𝑦 = 2𝑡 2 and 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 from 𝑡 = 1 to 𝑡 = 2.
Solution: The parametric equation of the curve is
𝑥 = 𝑡 2 + 1, 𝑦 = 2𝑡 2 and 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 , 1 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2
We have, therefore, 𝐹 = 3𝑥𝑦𝑖 − 5𝑧𝑗 + 10𝑥𝑘 = 3 𝑡 2 + 1 2𝑡 2 𝑖 − 5𝑡 3 𝑗 + 10(𝑡 2 + 1)𝑘
= 6 𝑡 4 + 𝑡 2 𝑖 − 5𝑡 3 𝑗 + 10(𝑡 2 + 1)𝑘 and,
𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 = (𝑡 2 + 1)𝑖 + 2𝑡 2 𝑗 + 𝑡 3 𝑘
𝑑𝑟
⇒ = 2𝑡 𝑖 + 4𝑡 𝑗 + 3𝑡 2 𝑘
𝑑𝑡
So, the total work done is given by
2
𝑑𝑟
𝑊= 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝐹∙ 𝑑𝑡
𝐶 1 𝑑𝑡
2
= 6 𝑡 4 + 𝑡 2 𝑖 − 5𝑡 3 𝑗 + 10 𝑡 2 + 1 𝑘 ∙ 2𝑡𝑖 + 4𝑡𝑗 + 3𝑡 2 𝑘 𝑑𝑡
1
2
= 6 𝑡 4 + 𝑡 2 2𝑡 − 5𝑡 3 4𝑡 + 10 𝑡 2 + 1 3𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
1
2 2 2
5 3 4
= 12 𝑡 +𝑡 𝑑𝑡 − 20 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 + 30 (𝑡 4 + 𝑡 2 ) 𝑑𝑡
1 1 1
2 2 2
𝑡6 𝑡4 𝑡5 𝑡5 𝑡3
= 12 + − 20 + 30 +
6 4 1
5 1
5 3 1
64 16 1 1 32 1 32 8 1 1
= 12 + − + − 20 − + 30 + − +
6 4 6 4 5 5 5 3 5 3
88 5 8
= 12 − − 124 + 272 − × 30
6 12 15
8
= 171 − 124 + 272 − × 30
15
= 303.
5-36 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Example: 5.33 Find the work done when a force 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 𝑖 − 2𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑗 moves a

particle in the 𝑥𝑦 plane from (0,0) to (1,1) along the parabola 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 . Is the work done
different from when the path is straight line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
Solution: The work done 𝑤 = 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟

∴𝑤= 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝐶

(a) Now, for the parabola 𝑦 2 = 𝑥, we put 𝑦 = 𝑡 and 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 ; 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑡 and 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑡 𝑑𝑡; 𝑡 =

0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 = 1.
1
𝑤= 𝑡 4 − 𝑡 2 + 𝑡 2 . 2𝑡𝑑𝑡 − 2𝑡 3 + 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
0
1 1
5 3
𝑡6 𝑡4 𝑡2
= 2𝑡 − 2𝑡 + 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 = − −
0 3 2 2 0
1 1 1 2
= − − =−
3 2 2 3
(b) For the straight line 𝑦 = 𝑥, we put 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑡 ; 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑡; 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑡 = 1.
1 1
∴𝑤= 𝑡 2 − 𝑡 2 + 𝑡 − 2𝑡 2 + 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = −2𝑡 2 . 𝑑𝑡
0 0
3 1
𝑡 2
= −2 =−
3 0
3

EXERCISE 5.2
1. If 𝐹 = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑦 𝑖 − 14𝑦𝑧𝑗 + 20𝑥𝑧 2 𝑘 , evaluate 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟, where 𝐶 is given by 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 =
𝑡 2 and 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 , and 𝑡 varies from 0 to 1. Answer: 5.
2. Calculate 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟, where 𝐶 is the part of the spiral 𝑟 = 𝑎 cos 𝜃 𝑖 + 𝑎 sin 𝜃 𝑗 + 𝑎𝜃𝑘
𝜋
corresponding to 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ and 𝐹 = 𝑟 2 𝑖. Answer:−𝑎3 (𝜋 − 1)
2

3. If 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦𝑖 − 𝑧𝑗 + 𝑥 2 𝑘 and 𝐶 is the curve 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 , 𝑦 = 2𝑡 and 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 from 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 1,

9 2 7
find the value of the line integral 𝐶 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟. Answer: − 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘 .
10 3 5
2
4. If 𝐹 = 5𝑥𝑦 − 6𝑥 𝑖 + (2𝑦 − 4𝑥)𝑗 , evaluate 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 along the curve 𝐶 in the xy-plane
𝑦 = 𝑥 3 from the point (1,1) to (2,8). Answer: 35
5. Find the work done by the force 𝐹 = 2𝑦 + 3 𝑖 + 𝑥𝑧𝑗 + (𝑦𝑧 − 𝑥)𝑘 , when it moves a
particle from the point (0,0,0) to the point (2,1,1) along the curve 𝑥 = 2𝑡 2 , 𝑦 = 𝑡 and
288
𝑧 = 𝑡3. Answer:
35
2
6. Evaluate 𝐶 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 for 3𝑥 𝑖 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 along the straight line joining the points
(0,0,0) and (2,1,3). Answer: 16
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-37

𝑥2 𝑦2
7. Find the work done in moving a particle once round the ellipse + = 1, 𝑧 = 0, under
25 16
2
the field of the force given by 𝐹 = 2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 𝑗 + 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 𝑘. Is
the field conservative? Answer: 40𝜋, No

8. If a vector field is given by 𝐹 = sin 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥(1 + cos 𝑦)𝑗, evaluate the line integral 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝑥2 𝑦2
where 𝐶 is the ellipse + = 1, 𝑧 = 0. Answer: 𝜋𝑎𝑏.
𝑎2 𝑏2

5.14 Green’s Lemma

Let us consider the closed curve 𝐶 enclosing the area 𝐴. Let 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 , 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) and their first
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
partials , , , be continuous and single valued over the region bounded by the curve 𝐶.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

Fig. 5.7
Then, according to Green’s Lemma, we have
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
(𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑦) = − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 … … … … … … (1)
𝐶 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐴

The statement (1) of Green’s Lemma can also be expressed in vector form in the following
manner:
Let 𝐹 = 𝑢𝑖 + 𝑣𝑗 be a vector in xy-plane. Then
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
∇×𝐹 = =𝑖 0− −𝑗 0− +𝑘 −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝑢 𝑣 0
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
=− 𝑖+ 𝑗+ − 𝑘
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Since the vector point function is defined in xy-plane, hence
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
𝑧 = 0,
= =0
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
∴∇× 𝐹 = − 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
⇒𝑘∙ ∇×𝐹 = − 𝑘∙𝑘 = −
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
5-38 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Also, 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑠 is an area element in xy-plane.

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
Hence − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 can be expressed as 𝑘 ∙ ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐴

Also, 𝐶
(𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑦) = 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
Thus, the Green’s Lemma can be expressed in vector form as
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑘 ∙ ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠
𝐶
𝐴

So, the Green’s Lemma can be used to evaluate the line integral.
Example 5.34 Evaluate 𝐶
(cos 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥(1 − sin 𝑦)𝑗) ∙ 𝑑𝑟 for a closed curve which is given by
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1, 𝑧 = 0.
Solution: The given line integral is 𝐶
(cos 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥(1 − sin 𝑦)𝑗) ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖 + 𝑑𝑦𝑗)

= {cos 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥(1 − sin 𝑦)𝑑𝑦}

𝐶

= (𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑦) , where 𝑢 = cos 𝑦 , 𝑣 = 𝑥 1 − sin 𝑦

𝐶

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
= − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 (By Green′ s Lemma)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐴

= 1 − sin 𝑦 − − sin 𝑦 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦

𝐴

= 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = Area of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1

𝐴

= 𝜋𝑟 2 = 𝜋; r being the radius of the circle.

Example 5.35 If a vector field is given by 𝐹 = sin 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥(1 + cos 𝑦)𝑗, then evaluate 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝑥2 𝑦2
where 𝐶 is the ellipse + = 1, 𝑧 = 0.
𝑎2 𝑏2

Solution: Here 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝐶
sin 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑦 𝑗 ∙ {𝑑𝑥𝑖 + 𝑑𝑦𝑗}

= siny 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝐶

= 𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑦 , where 𝑢 = sin 𝑦 , 𝑣 = 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑦

𝐶

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
= − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 (By Green′ s Lemma)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐴

= 1 + cos 𝑦 − cos 𝑦 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦

𝐴
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-39

𝑥2 𝑦2
= 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = Area of the ellipse + =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝐴

= 𝜋𝑎𝑏.
𝑥2 𝑦2
Example: 5.36. Find the area of (i) the ellipse + = 1 (ii) the asteroid 𝑥 2/3 + 𝑦 2/3 = 𝑎2/3
𝑎2 𝑏2
1
by applying Green’s theorem for a closed curve 𝐶 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane such that 𝐶
𝑥 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 is
2
the area enclosed by 𝐶.
Solution: (i) Consider the parametric equations of the ellipse as 𝑥 = 𝑎 cos 𝜃 , 𝑦 = 𝑏 sin 𝜃 .
Hence, the area of ellipse is
1
𝐴= 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
2 𝐶
1
= 𝑎 cos 𝜃 𝑏 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 − 𝑏 sin 𝜃 − 𝑎 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
2 𝐶
1
= 𝑎𝑏 cos 2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
2 𝐶
1 1 2𝜋
= 𝑎𝑏 𝑑𝜃 = 𝑎𝑏 𝜃 0
2 𝐶 2
1
= . 𝑎𝑏. 2𝜋 = 𝜋 𝑎𝑏.
2
(ii) Consider the parametric equations of the asteroid 𝑥 = 𝑎 cos 3 𝜃 , 𝑦 = 𝑎 sin3 𝜃.

∴ 𝑑𝑥 = −3𝑎 cos 2 𝜃 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃

𝑑𝑦 = 3𝑎 sin2 𝜃 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
1
∴ 𝐴= 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
2 𝐶
1
= 𝑎 cos 3 𝜃 . 3𝑎 sin2 𝜃 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
2 𝐶

−𝑎 sin3 𝜃 −3𝑎 cos 2 𝜃 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃

𝜋/2
1
= .4 3𝑎2 cos 4 𝜃 sin2 𝜃 + sin4 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
2 0

3.1.1 𝜋 3.1.1 𝜋
= 6𝑎2 . + .
6.4.2 2 6.4.2 2
𝜋
= 6𝑎2 .
16
3𝜋𝑎2
= .
8
5-40 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Example 5.37 Verify the Green’s theorem for 𝐶

𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦 where 𝐶 is bounded by
𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 .
Solution: Here 𝐶
(𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 ) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐶
𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑦 = 𝐶1
+ 𝐶2

Along the curve 𝐶1 , we have 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 and 𝑥 varies from 0 to 1.

1
= {𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 2 }𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑 𝑥 2
𝐶1 0

1 1
= 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 4 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 = (3𝑥 3 + 𝑥 4 ) 𝑑𝑥
0 0

5 1
3𝑥 4 𝑥 3 1 19
= + = + =
4 5 0
4 5 20

Along 𝐶2 , we have 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑥 varies from 1 to 0.

0 0
∴ = [{𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 }𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥] = 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 = −1
𝐶1 1 1
Thus
19 1
(𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑦) = −1=− .
𝐶 20 20
Also,
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 𝜕 𝑥2 𝜕
− 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐴 𝐴
1 𝑥
= 2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2𝑦 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥
0 𝑥2
1
𝑥
= 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 𝑥2 𝑑𝑥
0
1
1
= 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 = − ………………... 2
0 20
Hence the Green’s theorem gets verified from (1) & (2).
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-41

1 1
Example: 5.38. Verify Green’s theorem for 𝐶 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 , where 𝐶 is the boundary of the
𝑥
region defined by 𝑥 = 1, 𝑥 = 4, 𝑦 = 1 and 𝑦 = 𝑥.
Solution: By Green’s theorem,
𝜕𝑄 𝜕𝑃
𝑃𝑑𝑥 + 𝑄𝑑𝑦 = − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝐶 𝑅 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
1 1 𝜕𝑄 1 𝜕𝑃 1
⟹ 𝑃= , 𝑄= , =− 2 , =− 2
𝑦 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝑦
(a) Along 𝐶1 , 𝑦 = 1, 𝑑𝑦 = 0
4
1 1
∴ 𝑃𝑑𝑥 + 𝑄𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 + . 0
𝐶1 1 𝑦 𝑥
4
4
= 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 1 =3
1

Along 𝐶2 , 𝑥 = 4, 𝑑𝑥 = 0
4
1 1
∴ 𝑃𝑑𝑥 + 𝑄𝑑𝑦 = 0 + . 𝑑𝑦
𝐶2 1 𝑦 𝑥
4
𝑑𝑦 1 2
1
= = 𝑦 1 =
1 4 4 4
1
Along 𝐶3 , 𝑦 = 𝑥 , ⟹ 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑥
1
1 1
∴ 𝑃𝑑𝑥 + 𝑄𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 + . 𝑑𝑦
𝐶3 4 𝑦 𝑥
1 𝑥 1
1 1
= + 3 𝑑𝑥 = 2 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2
4 𝑥 2𝑥 2
4

1 5
= 2−1 − 4− =−
2 2
1 5 3
∴ 𝑃𝑑𝑥 + 𝑄𝑑𝑦 = 3 + − = … … … … (1)
𝐶 4 2 4
4 𝑥
𝜕𝑄 𝜕𝑃 1 1
𝑏 − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = − 2
+ 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝑅 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 1 1 𝑥 𝑦
4 𝑥
𝑦 1
= − − 𝑑𝑥
1 𝑥2 𝑦 1
4
1 1 1
= − − + + 1 𝑑𝑥
1 𝑥 3/2 𝑥 𝑥2
5-42 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

4
1
= 2𝑥 −1/2 − 2 𝑥 − +𝑥
𝑥 1
𝜕𝑄 𝜕𝑃 1 3
∴ − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 1 − 4 − + 4 − 2 − 2 − 1 + 1 = … … … … . (2)
𝑅 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 4 4
∴ From Equation (1) & (2) the theorem is verified.

Example 5.39 Using the Green’s theorem, evaluate 𝐶

[ 𝑦 − sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + cos 𝑥 𝑑𝑦] where 𝐶 is the
𝜋 2
plane triangle enclosed by the lines 𝑦 = 0, 𝑥 = and 𝑦 = 𝑥.
2 𝜋

Solution: Here 𝑢 = 𝑦 − sin 𝑥 and 𝑣 = cos 𝑥

Fig 5.9
Hence, by Green’s theorem, we have
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
{𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑦} = − 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝐶 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐴
𝜋 2𝑥
𝑥= 𝑦=
2 𝜋
= (− sin 𝑥 − 1) 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦 =0
𝜋
𝑥= 2𝑥
2
𝜋
= − sin 𝑥 − 1 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 0
𝑥=0
𝜋
𝑥=
2 2
=− 𝑥(sin 𝑥 + 1) 𝑑𝑥
𝜋 𝑥=0
𝜋
2 𝑥2 2
=− 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 1 − sin 𝑥 +
𝜋 2 0
𝜋
2 𝑥2 2
=− −𝑥 cos 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + sin 𝑥 −
𝜋 2 0
𝜋
2 𝑥2 2
=− −𝑥 cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 +
𝜋 2 0
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-43

2 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋2 0 2
=− − cos + sin + − − 0 cos 0 + sin 0 +
𝜋 2 2 2 8 2
2 𝜋2
=− 1+
𝜋 8
2 𝜋
=− −
𝜋 4

EXERCISE 5.3
1. If 𝐶 is a simple closed curve in the xy-plane not enclosing the origin, show that 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 =
𝑦𝑖 −𝑥𝑗
0, where 𝐹 = .
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

2. Evaluate 𝐶 { 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3)𝑑𝑦}around the boundary of the region defined by

𝑦 2 = 8𝑥 and 𝑥 = 2.
128
Answer:
5

3. Evaluate by the Green’s theorem the line integral 𝐶

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 where 𝐹 = −𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑦𝑗 and 𝐶
is 𝑟 = 𝑎 1 + cos 𝜃 .
35𝜋𝑎 4
Answer: .
16

4. Verify the Green’s theorem for 𝐶 { 3𝑥 − 8𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 + (4𝑦 − 6𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑦} where 𝐶 is the

boundary of the region bounded by 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1.
5. Verify the Green’s theorem in the plane for 𝐶 3𝑥 2 − 8𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑦 − 6𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 where 𝐶
is the boundary of the region defined by 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 .

5.15 Surface Integral

The surface integral of a vector point function 𝐹 over a surface 𝑆 is defined as the integral of the
normal component of 𝐹 taken over the surface 𝑆.

Fig.5.10
Let 𝛿𝑆 be a surface element of the surface 𝑆. Let 𝐹 act at the point 𝑃 enclosed by the surface
element 𝛿𝑆. If 𝑛 is a unit vector normal to the surface at 𝑃, then the surface integral can be
expressed as
(𝐹 ∙ 𝑛) 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑 𝑆 where d𝑆 = 𝑛𝑑𝑆.
𝑆 𝑆
5-44 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Thus, physically speaking, the surface integral of a vector point function 𝐹 expresses the normal
flux through a surface. If 𝐹 represents a velocity vector 𝑞 of a fluid, then the surface integral of
𝑞 over a closed surface, represents the rate of flow of fluid through the surface.We shall now
consider an important theorem called Gauss-Divergence theorem, which connects a surface
integral with volume integral.
5.16 Gauss-Divergence Theorem
The Gauss-Divergence theorem states that the surface integral of the normal component of a
vector point function 𝐹 over a closed surface 𝑆 is equal to the volume integral of divergence of
𝐹 taken throughout the volume 𝑉 enclosed by the surface 𝑆. Mathematically,
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆 𝑉

Proof: Let us assume that 𝑆 is a closed surface which is such that any line parallel to the co-
ordinate axes cuts 𝑆 in at the most two points. Let the equations of the upper and lower portions
be 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑧 = 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) respectively. Let the projection in the xy-plane be 𝑅.
Let 𝐹 = 𝐹1 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑗 + 𝐹3 𝑘.
Then let us consider
𝑓 𝑥,𝑦
∂F3 ∂F3 ∂F3
𝑑𝑉 = 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜙 𝑥,𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑉 𝑉 𝑅
𝑓(𝑥,𝑦 )
= 𝐹3 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝜙 𝑥,𝑦 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝑅

= 𝐹3 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑓 − 𝐹3 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝜙 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝑅

Fig. 5.11
For the upper position 𝑆2 , we have
𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = cos 𝛾2 𝑑𝑆2 = 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛2 𝑑𝑆2
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-45

For the lower portion 𝑆1 , we have

𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = − cos 𝛾1 𝑑𝑆1 = −𝑘 ∙ 𝑛1 𝑑𝑆1
(Since the normal 𝑛1 to 𝑆1 makes an abtuse angle 𝛾1 with 𝑘 )
Now,

𝐹3 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑓) 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛2 𝑑𝑆2

𝑅 𝑆2
and

𝐹3 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝜙) 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = − 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛1 𝑑𝑆1

𝑅 𝑆1

∴ 𝐹3 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑓 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 − 𝐹3 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝜙 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛2 𝑑𝑆2 + 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛1 𝑑𝑆1

𝑅 𝑅 𝑆2 𝑆1

= 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆
𝑆1
Thus,
𝜕𝐹3
𝑑𝑉 = 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 … … … … … … … … … … . (1)
𝜕𝑧
𝑉 𝑆
Similarly, projecting 𝑆 on other co-ordinate planes, we can have

𝜕𝐹2
𝑑𝑉 = 𝐹2 𝑗 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 … … … … … … … … … … . (2)
𝜕𝑦
𝑉 𝑆
and
𝜕𝐹1
𝑑𝑉 = 𝐹1 𝑖 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 … … … … … … … … … . . . . 3
𝜕𝑥
𝑉 𝑆
Summation of (1), (2) and (3) gives

𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹2 𝜕𝐹3

+ + 𝑑𝑉 = 𝐹1 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑗 + 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑉 𝑆
or,

∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆
𝑉 𝑆
i.e.

𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉.
𝑆 𝑉
5-46 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Example: 5.40 If 𝑆 is any closed surface enclosing a volume 𝑉 and if 𝐹 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑏𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑐𝑧 𝑘

then prove that 𝑆 𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 𝑉.
Solution: By Gauss divergence theorem

𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆
𝑉
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Now, ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

∴ 𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 𝑑𝑉
𝐹
𝑉

= 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 𝑑𝑉
𝑉

= 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 𝑉

Example 5.41 Prove that 𝑆

(𝜙∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜙) ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑉
(𝜙∇2 𝜓 − 𝜓∇2 𝜙) 𝑑𝑉.

Solution: Let𝐹 = 𝜙∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜙, then

∇ ∙ 𝐹 = ∇ ∙ 𝜙∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜙
But
∇ ∙ 𝜙∇𝜓 = ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜙∇ ∙ ∇𝜓 = ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜙∇2 𝜓
∇ ∙ 𝜓∇𝜙 = ∇𝜓 ∙ ∇𝜙 + 𝜓∇ ∙ (∇𝜙) = ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜓∇2 𝜙
∴ ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 + 𝜙∇2 𝜓 − ∇𝜙 ∙ ∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇2 𝜙
= 𝜙∇2 𝜓 − 𝜓∇2 𝜙
But, by Gauss-Divergence theorem, we have

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆 𝑉
i.e.

(𝜙∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜙) ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = (𝜙∇2 𝜓 − 𝜓∇2 𝜙) ∙ 𝑑𝑉,

𝑆 𝑉

which is the required result.

Example 5.42 Evaluate 𝑆 𝑎𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑏𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑐𝑧 𝑘 . 𝑁𝑑𝑆 where 𝑆 is 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑦 2 + 𝑐𝑧 2 = 𝑎𝑏𝑐.

Here (𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐) are positive constants.
Solution: By Gauss divergence theorem

𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆
𝑉
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-47

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Now, ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

∴ 𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 𝑑𝑉
𝐹
𝑉

= 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 𝑑𝑉
𝑉

= 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 𝑉
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑧2
Where 𝑉 is the volume of ellipsoide + + = 1.
𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑎 𝑎𝑏
4𝜋
i. e. 𝑉 = 𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑎 𝑎𝑏
3
4𝜋
= 𝑎𝑏𝑐
3
4𝜋
∴ 𝐼= 𝑎𝑏𝑐 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 .
3
Example 5.43 If 𝑢 and 𝑣 are two vector point functions, show that for a closed surface 𝑆.

v ∙ ∇ × ∇ × u − u ∙ ∇ × ∇ × v dV = [𝑣 × ∇ × ∇ × 𝑢 − 𝑢 × (∇ × ∇ × 𝑣)] ∙ 𝑑𝑆
𝑉 𝑆
Solution: By Gauss-Divergence theorem, we have

[𝑢 × ∇ × 𝑣 − 𝑣 × (∇ × 𝑢) ∙ 𝑑𝑆] = ∇∙ u× ∇×𝑣 − v × ∇ × u dV … … … (1)

𝑆 𝑉
Now
∇∙ 𝑢× ∇×𝑣 = ∇×𝑣 ∙ ∇×𝑢 −𝑢∙ ∇×∇×𝑣
Similarly
∇∙ 𝑣× ∇×𝑢 = ∇×𝑢 ∙ ∇×𝑣 −𝑣∙ ∇×∇×𝑢
⇒∇∙ 𝑢× ∇×𝑣 ]−∇∙ 𝑣× ∇×𝑢 = 𝑣 ∙ ∇ × ∇ × 𝑢 − 𝑢 ∙ ∇ × ∇ × 𝑣 … … . . . (2)
Using (2) in (1), we obtain

v ∙ ∇ × ∇ × u − u ∙ ∇ × ∇ × v dV = [𝑣 × ∇ × ∇ × 𝑢 − 𝑢 × (∇ × ∇ × 𝑣)] ∙ 𝑑𝑆
𝑉 𝑆
dV 𝑟 ∙𝑛
Example 5.44 Show that 𝑉 r2
= 𝑆
𝑑𝑆.
𝑟2

Solution: By Gauss-Divergence theorem, we have

𝑟∙𝑛 r
𝑑𝑆 = ∇∙ 𝑑𝑉 … … … … … … … … … … . . (1)
𝑟2 r2
𝑆 𝑉
5-48 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Now
r
∇∙ = ∇ ∙ 𝑟𝑟 2
r2
= ∇ ∙ 𝑟 𝑟 −2 + ∇(𝑟 −2 ) ∙ 𝑟
= 3𝑟 −2 − 2𝑟 −4 (𝑟 ∙ 𝑟)
= 3𝑟 −2 − 2𝑟 −4 𝑟 2
= 3𝑟 −2 − 2𝑟 −2
1
= 𝑟 −2 =
𝑟2
From (1), we have
𝑟∙𝑛 dV
𝑑𝑆 = .
𝑟2 r2
𝑆 𝑉

Example 5.45 Evaluate 𝑆 {2𝑥 𝑦 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑧 2 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦} over the curved surface of
2

the cylinder 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 9, bounded by 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 2.

Solution: Let 𝑑𝑆 be the element of the area on the curved surface of the cylinder. Then, 𝑑𝑆 can
be expressed in terms of its projections on co-ordinate axes i.e.
𝑑𝑆 = 𝑖𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 + 𝑗 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑘 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Taking
𝐹 = 2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑖 − 𝑦 2 𝑗 + 4𝑥𝑧 2 𝑘 , we have

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = {2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑖 − 𝑦 2 𝑗 + 4𝑥𝑧 2 𝑘} ∙ {𝑖𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 + 𝑗 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑘 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦}

𝑆 𝑆

= {2𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑧 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦}

𝑆

= 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆
𝑆

where 𝑆 is the curved surface of the cylinder 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 9 and 𝑛 is a unit outward drawn normal
vector to the cylinder.
Let 𝜙 = 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − 9 then
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
= 0, = 2𝑦, = 2𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 2𝑦𝑗 + 2𝑧𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
∇𝜙 2𝑦𝑗 + 2𝑧𝑘 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 1
∴ 𝑛= = = = (𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 )
∇𝜙 4𝑦 2 + 4𝑧 2 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 3
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-49

1 1
∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 = 2𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑦 2 𝑗 + 4𝑥𝑧 2 𝑘 ∙ 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 = −𝑦 3 + 4𝑥𝑧 3
3 3
1
Hence 𝐼 = 𝑆
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑆
(−𝑦 3 + 4𝑥𝑧 3 ) 𝑑𝑆
3

Transforming to cylindrical co-ordinate system, we have

𝑥 = 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜚 cos 𝜙 , 𝑧 = 𝜚 sin 𝜙 , where ϱ = 3
∴ 𝑑𝑆 = 𝜚 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝜙 = 3𝑑𝑥𝑑𝜙
2𝜋 𝑥=2
1
∴ 𝐼= −27 cos 3 𝜙 + 4𝑥 ∙ 27 sin3 𝜙 ∙ 3𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝜙
3 0 𝑥=0
2𝜋 2
3 2
𝑥2
= −27 cos 𝜙 𝑥 0 + 108 sin3 𝜙 𝑑𝜙
0 2 0
2𝜋 2𝜋
= −54 cos 3 𝜙𝑑𝜙 + 216 sin3 𝜙𝑑𝜙
0 0

= −54 0 + 216 0 = 0.
(Since the integrals of odd powers of sine and cosine vanish for the limits 0 to 2𝜋.)
Example 5.46 Evaluate 𝑆
𝑥 3 𝑖 + 𝑦 3 𝑗 + 𝑧 3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 , where 𝑆 is the surface of the sphere 𝑥 2 +
𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 16.
Solution: Let 𝐹 = 𝐹1 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑗 + 𝐹3 𝑘
= 𝑥3 𝑖 + 𝑦3𝑗 + 𝑧3𝑘
⇒ 𝐹1 = 𝑥 3 , 𝐹2 = 𝑦 3 , 𝐹3 = 𝑧 3
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹2 𝜕𝐹3
∴ ∇∙F= + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 + 3𝑧 2
Applying Gauss-Divergence theorem, we have

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆 𝑉
Fig. 5.12

⇒ (𝑥 3 𝑖 + 𝑦 3 𝑗 + 𝑧 3 𝑘 ) ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = 3 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 𝑑𝑉 … … … … … … . . (1)
𝑆 𝑉

Transforming to spherical polars, we have

𝑥 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜙 , 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 sin 𝜙 , 𝑧 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃
⇒ 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑟 2 and 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜙

For the entire sphere, 𝑟 will vary from 0 to 4, 𝜃 from 0 to 𝜋 and 𝜙 from 0 to 2𝜋.
5-50 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

2𝜋 𝜋 4
∴ 𝑥 3 𝑖 + 𝑦 3 𝑗 + 𝑧 3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = 3𝑟 2 𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜙
𝑆 𝜙 =0 𝜃=0 0

2𝜋 𝜋 4
𝑟5
=3 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜙
0 0 5 0
2𝜋 𝜋
256 × 4
=3 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜙
0 0 5
2𝜋 𝜋
12 × 256
= 𝑑𝜙 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
5 0 0
12 × 256
= 𝜙 2𝜋 𝜋
0 − cos 𝜃 0
5
12 × 256
= 2𝜋 − cos 𝜋 + 1
5
48𝜋 × 256 12288𝜋
= = .
5 5

Example: 2.47 Evaluate 𝑆 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑆 where 𝐹 = 4𝑥𝑖 − 2𝑦 2 𝑗 + 𝑧 2 𝑘 and 𝑆 is the region bounded by

𝑦 2 = 4𝑥, 𝑥 = 1, 𝑧 = 0, 𝑧 = 3.
Solution: By divergence theorem

𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆
𝑉
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
But, ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 4𝑥 + −2𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 4 − 4𝑦 + 2𝑧 and 𝑑𝑉 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

1 2 𝑥 3
∴ 𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 4 − 4𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
𝑆 0 −2 𝑥 0
1 2 𝑥
= 4 − 4𝑦 + 𝑧 2 30 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
0 −2 𝑥
1 2 𝑥
= 12 − 12𝑦 + 9 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
0 −2 𝑥
1
2 𝑥
= 21𝑦 − 6𝑦 2 −2 𝑥
𝑑𝑥
0
1
= 84 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0
3 1
𝑥2
= 84 = 56.
3
2 0
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-51

Example 2.48 Use the divergence theorem to evaluate

(𝑦 2 𝑧 2 𝑖 + 𝑧 2 𝑥 2 𝑗 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑘 ) ∙ 𝑑𝑆
𝑆

where 𝑆 is the upper part of the sphere 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 9 above the X0Y-plane.

Solution: To apply the divergence theorem, let us consider the closed surface 𝑆 bounded by
plane surface 𝑆1 (i.e. the plane of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 9).
Here 𝐹 = 𝑦 2 𝑧 2 𝑖 + 𝑧 2 𝑥 2 𝑗 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑘
𝜕 2 2 𝜕 2 2 𝜕 2 2
∴ ∇∙𝐹 = 𝑦 𝑧 + 𝑧 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑦 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Fig 5.13
By the divergence theorem, we have

∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 … … … … … … … … . . (1)
𝑉 𝑆 𝑆1

where 𝑉 is the volume enclosed between 𝑆 and 𝑆1 .

Since ∇ ∙ 𝐹 = 0, hence from (1)

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = − 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆
𝑆
𝑆1

For the surface 𝑆1 , we have 𝑛 = −𝑘 .

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝐹 ∙ −𝑘 = 𝑦 2 𝑧 2 𝑖 + 𝑧 2 𝑥 2 𝑗 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑘 ∙ −𝑘
= −𝑥 2 𝑦 2
Also 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = − 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝑆1 𝑆1 𝑆1
2 2
Since 𝑆1 is the plane of the circle 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 9 , we can take 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 , 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 and
𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 𝑟𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟.
5-52 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝜋
3
2
2 2
∴ − 𝑥 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = − 𝑟 4 cos 2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃 (𝑟𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟)
0 𝑟=0
𝑆1
2𝜋 3 2𝜋
2
𝑟62
36
=− cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 =− cos 2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
0 6 0 0 6
𝜋 3 3
36 2
2 2
−36 × 4 2 2
=− ×4 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 =
6 0 6 2+2+2
2
2
1 1
81 × 9 × 4 2 𝜋 ∙ 2 𝜋
=− ×
6 23
81 × 9𝜋 243𝜋
=− =−
24 8
Hence
243𝜋 243𝜋
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = − − = .
𝑆 8 8
Example 5.49 Verify the divergence theorem for 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥 𝑗 + (𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦)𝑘
taken over the parallelopiped 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎, 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑏, 0 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 𝑐.
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝐹1 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑗 + 𝐹3 𝑘
= 𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥 𝑗 + (𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦)𝑘
⇒ 𝐹1 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧 , 𝐹2 = 𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥 , 𝐹3 = (𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦)
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹2 𝜕𝐹3
∴∇∙𝐹 = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
= 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 2(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)
𝑐 𝑏 𝑎
∴ ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉 = 2 (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 Fig 5.14
0 0 0
𝑉
𝑐 𝑏
𝑎2
=2 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑦𝑎 + 𝑧𝑎
0 0 2
𝑐
𝑎2 𝑏 𝑎𝑏 2
=2 𝑑𝑧 + + 𝑎𝑏𝑧
0 2 2
𝑎2 𝑏𝑐 𝑎𝑏 2 𝑐 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2
=2 + +
2 2 2
= 𝑎𝑏𝑐 (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)
Also
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 + 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 + ⋯ … . + 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆,
𝑆 𝑆1 𝑆2 𝑆6

where 𝑆1 is the face 𝑂𝐴𝐶 𝐵, 𝑆2 the face 𝐶𝐵 𝑃𝐴 , 𝑆3 the face 𝑂𝐵𝐴′𝐶, 𝑆4 the face 𝐴𝐶 ′ 𝑃𝐵′ , 𝑆5 the
′ ′ ′

face 𝑂𝐶𝐵′𝐴 and 𝑆6 the face 𝐵𝐴′𝑃𝐶′.

 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-53

Now
𝑏 𝑎
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ −𝑘 𝑑𝑆 = − (0 − 𝑥𝑦) 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 =
0 0 4
𝑆1 𝑆1

𝑏 𝑎
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑘 𝑑𝑆 = (𝑐 2 − 𝑥𝑦) 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 −
0 0 4
𝑆2 𝑆2
Similarly
𝑏2 𝑐 2 𝑏2 𝑐 2
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = , 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑎2 𝑏𝑐 −
4 4
𝑆3 𝑆6

𝑐 2 𝑎2 𝑐 2 𝑎2
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = , and 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑎𝑏 2 𝑐 −
4 4
𝑆5 𝑆4
Thus,
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑐 2 𝑏2 𝑐 2 𝑐 2 𝑎2 𝑐 2 𝑎2
𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = + 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 − + + 𝑎2 𝑏𝑐 − + + 𝑎𝑏 2 𝑐 −
4 4 4 4 4 4
𝑆
= 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 + 𝑎2 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑎𝑏 2 𝑐 = 𝑎𝑏𝑐 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 .

𝑟 .𝑁
Example: 5.50 Prove that 𝑆 𝑟3
𝑑𝑠 = 0 if the origin lies outside the closed surface 𝑆 and
𝑟 .𝑁
𝑆 𝑟3
𝑑𝑠 = 4𝜋 if the origin lies inside the surface 𝑆 where 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 and 𝑟 = 𝑟 .
𝑟
Solution: Case (a): When the origin lies outside the closed surface 𝑆, 𝐹 = is well defined in
𝑟3
the closed region and is differentiable everywhere within 𝑆.
Now, by divergence theorem

𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆
𝑉

𝑟 𝑥𝑖 𝑦𝑗 𝑧𝑘
∴ 𝐹= = + +
𝑟3 𝑟3 𝑟3 𝑟3
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝑥𝑖 𝑦𝑗 𝑧𝑘
∴ ∇∙𝐹 = 𝑖 +𝑗 +𝑘 . 3+ 3+ 3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
3
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 3/2
−𝑥 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 1/2
. 2𝑥
= 2 + … … + {… … }
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 3
1
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 2
= 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − 3𝑥 2 + … … + … …
𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 3

1
= 3 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 − 3 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 5/2
5-54 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

=0

∴ 𝑁. 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 0 . 𝑑𝑉 = 0
𝑆
𝑉
𝑟
Case (b): When the origin lies inside the closed surface 𝑆, 𝐹 = 3 is not defined at the origin
𝑟
and hence is not differentiable and divergence theorem is not applicable.
Now consider a sphere 𝑆1 with centre at the origin and a small radius 𝑎.

Now 𝐹 is well defined and differentiable everywhere within the region enclosed between two
surfaces 𝑆1 and 𝑆.
Now, by divergence theorem

𝑟. 𝑁 𝑟. 𝑁
∴ 𝑑𝑠 + 𝑑𝑠 = ∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉
𝑆 𝑟3 𝑆1 𝑟
3
𝑉1

where, 𝑉1 is the volume of the region between the sphere 𝑆1 and the given surface 𝑆. But since,
the region does not enclose the origin by case (a),

∇ ∙ 𝐹 𝑑𝑉 = 0
𝑉1

𝑟. 𝑁 𝑟. 𝑁
∴ 𝑑𝑠 = − 𝑑𝑠
𝑆 𝑟3 𝑆1 𝑟
3

But for the inner sphere of radius 𝑎 with centre at origin outward normal at any point is negative
of its radius vector at that point
𝑟
∴ 𝑁=−
𝑟
And for the surface of the sphere 𝑟 = 𝑎

𝑟. 𝑁 𝑟. 𝑟
∴ 𝑑𝑠 = − 𝑑𝑠
𝑆 𝑟3 𝑆1 𝑎3×𝑎
1
= 𝑑𝑠
𝑎2 𝑆

1
= 4𝜋𝑎2
𝑎2
= 4𝜋
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-55

EXERCISE 5.4
𝑟
1. Prove that 𝑆 𝑟3
∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 0

2. Evaluate 𝑆
2𝑥𝑦𝑖 + 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑗 + 𝑥𝑧𝑘 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 over the surface of the region bounded by
351
𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑦 = 3, 𝑧 = 0 and 𝑥 + 2𝑧 = 6. Ans:
2

3. Evaluate 𝑆
𝑟 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 over the surface of the sphere of radius unity with centre at origin.
Ans: 4𝜋
4. Verify the divergence theorem for 𝐹 = 2𝑥𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧 2 𝑘 over the volume bounded by
16
2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 4 and the co-ordinate axes. Ans: common value =
3

5. Evaluate 𝑆
𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥𝑧𝑗 + 𝑥𝑦𝑘 ∙ 𝑑𝑆where 𝑆 is the surface bounding the region 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 +
3𝑎 4
𝑧 2 = 𝑎2 in the first octant. Ans:
8
2 2 2
6. Apply divergence theorem to evaluate 𝑆 (𝑙𝑥 + 𝑚𝑦 + 𝑛𝑧 ) 𝑑𝑆 taken over the sphere
𝑥 − 𝑎 2 + 𝑦 − 𝑏 2 + 𝑧 − 𝑐 2 = 𝜚 2 ; 𝑙, 𝑚, 𝑛 being the direction cosines of the external
8𝜋
normal to the sphere. Ans: 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
3

5.17 Stokes’ Theorem

The surface integral of the normal component of the curl of the vector point function 𝐹 taken
over an open surface 𝑆 bounded by closed curve 𝐶 is equal to the line integral of the tangential
component of 𝐹 taken around the curve 𝐶.

Figure 2.15
In the adjoining figure, 𝑆 is the open surface to which 𝑛 is a unit outward drawn normal vector.
𝐹 is acting at 𝑃 enclosed by element 𝑑𝑆. The curve 𝐶 is the boundary of the surface.

The Stokes’ theorem can be expressed as 𝑛 ∙ curl F dS = F ∙ dr

C
𝑆

Proof: Let 𝐹 = 𝐹1 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑗 + 𝐹3 𝑘 . Then, we have

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝐹1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹2 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐹3 𝑑𝑧,
𝐶 𝐶

where 𝐶 is the curve bounding the surface 𝑆.

5-56 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Fig. 5.16
Let the equation of the surface 𝑆 be 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), which is single-valued and differentiable. Now,

𝑛 ∙ curl F dS = curl F ∙ n dS = (∇ × 𝐹 ) ∙ n dS
𝑆 𝑆 𝑆

= ∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑗 + 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆
𝑆

= ∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 ∙ n dS + ∇ × 𝐹2 𝑗 ∙ n dS + ∇ × 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ n dS
𝑆 𝑆 𝑆
Now,
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹1
∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 = =𝑗 −𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
𝐹1 0 0
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹1
∴ ∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑗∙𝑛 − 𝑘∙𝑛 𝑑𝑆 … … … … … . … . (1)
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
Let 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 be the position vector of any point on 𝑆. But 𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 , hence 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 +
𝑦𝑗 + 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑘
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑓
∴ =𝑗+ 𝑘
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
which is a tangent vector to 𝑆 and hence perpendicular to 𝑛.
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑓
∴ 𝑛∙ =0=𝑛∙𝑗+ 𝑛∙𝑘
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑧
⇒ 𝑛∙𝑗=− 𝑛∙𝑘 =− 𝑛∙𝑘
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
Putting in (1), we obtain
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝐹1
∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = − ∙ + 𝑛 ∙ 𝑘 𝑑𝑆
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-57

On 𝑆, 𝐹1 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝐹1 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜙 𝑥, 𝑦 (say)
Differentiating w.r.t. 𝑦, we obtain
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝜙
+ =
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
or,
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝜙
− + 𝑛 ∙ 𝑘 𝑑𝑆 = − 𝑛 ∙ 𝑘 𝑑𝑆
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
or,
𝜕𝜙
∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = − 𝑛 ∙ 𝑘 𝑑𝑆
𝜕𝑦
If 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 is the projection of 𝑑𝑆 in XoY-plane, then cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 i.e. 𝑛 ∙ 𝑘 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = − 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝜙
⇒ {∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 } ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = − 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝜕𝑦
𝑆 𝑆1

where 𝑆1 is the projection of 𝑆 in 𝑋0𝑌-plane.

By Green’s Lemma, we have
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
(𝑢𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝑑𝑥) = − 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝐶 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝐴

Taking 𝑢 = 𝜙 and 𝑣 = 0, we obtain

𝜕𝜙
𝜙 𝑑𝑥 = − 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝐶1 𝜕𝑦
𝑆1

where 𝐶1 is the boundary of 𝑆1 .

At each point (𝑥, 𝑦) of 𝐶1 , the value of 𝜙 is the same as that of 𝐹1 at each point (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) of 𝐶,
and 𝑑𝑥 is the same for both the curves. Hence

𝜙 𝑑𝑥 = 𝐹1 𝑑𝑥
𝐶1 𝐶
Thus, it is established that

{∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 } ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹1 𝑑𝑥
𝐶
𝑆
Similarly,
{∇ × 𝐹2 𝑗 } ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹2 𝑑𝑦
𝐶
𝑆
and
{∇ × 𝐹3 𝑘 } ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹3 𝑑𝑧
𝐶
𝑆
5-58 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

∴ ∇ × 𝐹1 𝑖 + 𝐹2 𝑗 + 𝐹3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = (𝐹1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹2 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐹3 𝑑𝑧)
𝐶
𝑆

⟹ ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟,
𝐶
𝑆

which proves the Stokes’ theorem.

Example 5.51 Verify Stokes’ theorem for 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧 2 𝑥𝑘 for the surface of the
rectangle bounded by 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 2, 𝑧 = 0.
Solution: Here 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 as 𝑧 = 0

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = {𝑥𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦𝑑𝑦} , … … … … . . (1)

𝐶 𝐶

where 𝐶 is the path 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶𝑂 as shown in figure 2.17.

(i) Along OA, we have 𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝑑𝑦 = 0
(ii) Along AB, we have 𝑥 = 1 ⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = 0
(iii) Along BC, we have 𝑦 = 2 ⇒ 𝑑𝑦 = 0
Fig. 5.17
(iv) Along CO, we have 𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = 0

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = (0) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 4𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝐶 0𝐴 𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶 𝐶𝑂
2 0 0
=0+ 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 4𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
0 1 2
2 2 0
𝑦 𝑦2
= +2 𝑥 2 10 +
2 0
2 2

= 2 − 0 + 2 0 − 1 + 0 − 2 = −2
To obtain the surface integral, we have
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∇×𝐹 = = 0𝑖 + 0𝑗 − 2𝑥𝑦𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑥𝑦 2 𝑦 0
Here 𝑛 = 𝑘 , Hence

∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = −2𝑥𝑦 𝑘 . 𝑘 𝑑𝑆 = −2 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑆
𝑆
𝑆 𝑆
1 2
= −2 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
𝑥=0 0
1 2
𝑥2 𝑦2 1
= −2 = −2 2 = −2
2 0
2 0
2
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-59

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆
𝐶
𝑆

Example 5.52 Verify Stokes’ theorem for 𝐹 = 𝑦 − 𝑧 + 2 𝑖 + 𝑦𝑧 + 4 𝑗 − 𝑥𝑧𝑘 over the

surface of a cube 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑧 = 0, 𝑥 = 2, 𝑧 = 2 above the XoY plane (Open at the top).
Solution: Let us consider the surface of the cube as
shown in fig .
Here the bounding path is OABCO.
Now
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝐹1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹2 𝑑𝑦 ∵ 𝑧 = 0
𝐶 𝐶

⟹ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = { 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦}
𝐶 𝐶
putting z = 0 in F1 and F2

= 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦 + { 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦} + { 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦}

𝑂𝐴 𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶

+ 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦
𝐶𝑂

(i) Along OA, we have 𝑦 = 0, 𝑧 = 0 ⇒ 𝑑𝑦 = 0

2
∴ 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦 = 2𝑑𝑥 = 4
𝑂𝐴 0

(ii) Along AB, 𝑥 = 2 ⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = 0

2
∴ { 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦} = 4 𝑑𝑦 = 8
𝐴𝐵 0

(iii) Along BC, we have 𝑦 = 2 ⇒ 𝑑𝑦 = 0

0
∴ { 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦} = 4 𝑑𝑥 = −8
𝐵𝐶 2

(iv) Along CO, we have 𝑥 = 0

0
0
∴ 𝑦 + 2 𝑑𝑥 + 4𝑑𝑦 = 4𝑑𝑦 = 4 𝑦 2 = −8
𝐶𝑂 2

⟹ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 4 + 8 − 8 − 8 = −4
𝐶
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Now ∇ × 𝐹 = = −𝑦𝑖 + 𝑧 − 1 𝑗 − 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑦−𝑧+2 𝑦𝑧 + 4 −𝑥𝑧
Over the surface GDEF, 𝑛 = 𝑘 and 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
∴ ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 = −𝑦𝑖 + 𝑧 − 1 𝑗 − 𝑘 ∙ 𝑘 = −1
5-60 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

2 2
∴ 𝐼1 = (−1) 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = −4
𝑥=0 𝑦 =0

Over the surface OCEF, we have 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑛 = −𝑖

∴ ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 = −𝑦𝑖 + 𝑧 − 1 𝑗 − 𝑘 . −𝑖 = 𝑦
2 2
∴ 𝐼2 = 𝑦 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 = 4
𝑦 =0 𝑧=0

Over the surface GABD, we have 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑛 = 𝑖

∴ ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 = −𝑦
2 2
∴ 𝐼3 = −𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 = −4
0 0

Over the surface OAGF, we have 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑛 = −𝑗

∴ Curl F ∙ n = −y i + z − 1 j − k ∙ −j = 1 − z
2 2
𝐼4 = (1 − 𝑧) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑧 = 0
𝑥=0 𝑧=0

Over the surface BDEC, we have 𝑦 = 2 and 𝑛 = 𝑗

∴ Curl F ∙ n = (z − 1)
2 2
∴ 𝐼5 = (𝑧 − 1) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑧 = 0
0 0

Hence 𝑆
Curl F ∙ n dS = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3 + 𝐼4 + 𝐼5 = −4 + 4 − 4 + 0 + 0 = −4

∴ Curl F ∙ n dS = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = −4.
𝐶
𝑆

Example: 5.53 Verify Stokes’ theorem for 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑧𝑥 𝑗 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑘 and 𝐶 is the boundary of the
circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1, 𝑧 = 0
Solution: Here we have to verify that

𝑁 ∙ ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝑆 𝐶
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝑁𝑜𝑤, ∇×𝐹 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑦𝑧 𝑧𝑥 𝑥𝑦
= 𝑥−𝑥 𝑖+ 𝑦−𝑦 𝑗+ 𝑧−𝑧 𝑘 =0

∴ 𝑁 ∙ ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 0 𝑑𝑠 = 0
𝑆 𝑆
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-61

Now, 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑧𝑥 𝑗 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑘 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑑𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑑𝑧𝑘
= 𝑦𝑧 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑧𝑥 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑧
Since, the boundary is a unit circle in the 𝑥𝑦-plane.
We put, 𝑥 = 1 cos 𝜃 , 𝑦 = 1 sin 𝜃 , 𝑧 = 0, 𝑑𝑥 = − sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃, 𝑑𝑦 = cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃.
Since, 𝑧 = 0, 𝑑𝑧 = 0.

𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 0 𝑑𝜃 = 0
𝐶

Hence, Stokes’ theorem verified.

Example 5.54 Verify the Stokes’ theorem for the vector field 𝐹 = 2𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑗 − 𝑦 2 𝑧𝑘
over the upper half of the surface of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1, bounded by its projection on the xy-
plane.
Solution: Let 𝑆 be the upper half of the surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1. Then the boundary 𝐶 of 𝑆 is
a circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 in the xy-plane.
Then the parametric equations of this circle will be of the form:
𝑥 = cos 𝑡 , 𝑦 = sin 𝑡 , 𝑧 = 0; 0 < 𝑡 ≤ 2𝜋.

Fig. 5.19

∴ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 2𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑗 − 𝑦 2 𝑧𝑘 ∙ 𝑖𝑑𝑥 + 𝑗𝑑𝑦 + 𝑘 𝑑𝑧
𝐶 𝐶

= 2𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑦 2 𝑧𝑑𝑧 = 2𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 ∵ 𝑧 = 0 ⇒ 𝑑𝑧 = 0 on 𝐶
𝐶 𝐶
2𝜋 2𝜋
= 2 cos 𝑡 − sin 𝑡 − sin 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = − sin 2𝑡 + sin2 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 𝜋
0 0
Also,
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Curl F = = −2𝑦𝑧 + 2𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 0 − 0 𝑗 + 0 + 1 𝑘 = 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
2𝑥 − 𝑦 −𝑦𝑧 2 −𝑦 2 𝑧
∴ Curl 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝑘 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝑘
5-62 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
∴ Curl 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝑘 𝑑𝑆 = 𝑛∙𝑘 , where R is the projection of S on xy − plane
𝑛∙𝑘
𝑆 𝑆 𝑅
1 1−𝑥 2
= 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
−1 − 1−𝑥 2
𝑅
1
1
𝑥 1 − 𝑥 2 1 −1
=4 1− 𝑥2 𝑑𝑥 = 4 + sin 𝑥
0 2 2 0
1 −1 𝜋
=4 sin 1 = 2 =𝜋
2 2
Since 𝐶
𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑆
Curl 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆, hence the Stokes’ theorem is verified.

Example: 5.55 Verify Stokes’ theorem for 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑧𝑗 + 𝑥𝑘 over the surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 − 𝑧,

𝑧 > 0.
Solution: we have to verify that

𝑁 ∙ ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝑆 𝐶

The given surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = − 𝑧 − 1 is a paraboloid with its vertex at 0, 0, 1 opening

downward. It meets the x-y plane, 𝑧 = 0 in the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1.
The parametric equation of the circle are 𝑥 = cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = sin 𝜃, 𝑧 = 0.
Along the circle 𝐹 = sin 𝜃 𝑖 + 0 𝑗 cos 𝜃 𝑘
∵𝑟 =𝑥𝑖+𝑦𝑗+𝑧𝑘
∴ 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑑𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑑𝑧 𝑘
∴ 𝑥 = cos 𝜃 ⟹ 𝑑𝑥 = − sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃, ∴ 𝑦 = sin 𝜃 ⟹ 𝑑𝑦 = cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃,
∴ 𝑧 = 0 ⟹ 𝑑𝑧 = 0 𝑑𝜃
∴ 𝑑𝑟 = − sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 𝑖 + cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 𝑗 + 0 𝑑𝜃𝑘
𝐹 𝑑𝑟 = sin 𝜃 𝑖 + 0 𝑗 cos 𝜃 𝑘 − sin 𝜃 𝑖 + cos 𝜃 𝑗 + 0 𝑘 𝑑𝜃
= − sin2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-63

∴ 𝐹 𝑑𝑟 = − sin2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝐶 𝐶
1 − cos 𝜃
=− 𝑑𝜃
𝐶 2
2𝜋
1 sin 2𝜃 1
=− 𝜃− = − . 2𝜋 = −𝜋 … … … … 1
2 2 0 2
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝑁𝑜𝑤, ∇ × 𝐹 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑦 𝑧 𝑥
= 0 − 1 𝑖 + 0 − 1 𝑗 + 0 − 1 𝑘 = −𝑖 − 𝑗 − 𝑘
Since, the base circle 𝑆1 is traversed in anti clockwise direction as shown in the figure, the
outward normal to surface is along the 𝑧- axis i.e. 𝑁 = 𝑘
𝑑𝑠 = 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦
∴ 𝑁. ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑘 −𝑖 − 𝑗 − 𝑘 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = −𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Now, the surface integral over the curved surface 𝑆 of the paraboloid is the same as the surface
integral over 𝑆1 , the circle of the paraboloid and the plane 𝑧 = 0 because they have the same
boundary.

∴ 𝑁. ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = − 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = −𝜋 Area of the circle 𝜋 2 . 1 = 𝜋 2 … … . (2)

𝑆1 𝑆1

From (1) and (2) Stokes’ theorem verified.

Example 5.56 Apply Stokes’ theorem to evaluate 𝐶 4𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑧 𝑑𝑦 + 6𝑦 𝑑𝑧 where 𝐶 is the
curve of intersection of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 6𝑧 and 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 3.
Solution: Taking 𝐹 = 4𝑦𝑖 + 2𝑧𝑗 + 6𝑦𝑘 , and applying the Stokes’ theorem, we have

{4𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑧 𝑑𝑦 + 6𝑦𝑑𝑧} = ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆
𝐶
𝑆
2 2 2
where 𝑆 is surface of the circle 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 6𝑧 , 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 3 and 𝑛 is normal to the plane
𝑥 − 𝑧 + 3 = 0.
𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
Let 𝜙 = 𝑥 − 𝑧 + 3, then = 1, = 0, = −1.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜙
∴ ∇𝜙 = 𝑖+ 𝑗+ 𝑘 = 𝑖 + 0𝑗 − 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
∇𝜙 𝑖−𝑘
∴𝑛= =
∇𝜙 2
5-64 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∇×𝐹 = = 𝑖 6 − 2 − 𝑗 0 + 𝑘 0 − 4 = 4𝑖 + 0𝑗 − 4𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
4𝑦 2𝑧 6𝑦
𝑖 −𝑘 +4+4 8
Hence ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 = +4𝑖 + 0𝑗 − 4𝑘 ∙ = = =4 2
2 2 2

∴ ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 4 2 𝑑𝑆 = 4 2 Area of circle
𝑆 𝑆

Since the centre of sphere 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 − 3 2 = 9, (0,0,3) lies on the plane 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 3, hence

the given circle is a great circle of the sphere, where the radius is the same as that of the sphere.
2
∴ Radius of circle = 3, Area = π 3 = 9π

∴ ∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 = 4 2 9𝜋 = 36 2𝜋.
𝑆

Example: 5.57 By using Stokes’ theorem evaluate 𝐶 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑖 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 𝑗 ∙ 𝑑𝑟. Where 𝐶

is the boundary of the region enclosed by circles 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 16.
Solution: By stokes’ theorem the given line integral

= 𝑁. ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠
𝑆

Where 𝑆 is the region bounded by the two circles. In the x-y

plane 𝑁 = 𝑘, 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦, and
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∇×𝐹 =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑥 + 𝑦2
2
𝑥 − 𝑦2
2
0
= 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 𝑘
∴ 𝑁. ∇ × 𝐹 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑘. 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 𝑘 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
Now, if we use polar coordinates the equation of circles are 𝑟 = 2 , 𝑟 = 4 ; 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 =
2𝑟 cos 𝜃 − sin 𝜃 ; 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟.
2𝜋 4
∴ 𝐼= 2𝑟 cos 𝜃 − sin 𝜃 𝑟𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟
0 2
4
𝑟3 2𝜋
= sin 𝜃 + cos 𝜃 0
3 2
2
= 64 − 8 1 − 1
3
=0
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-65

EXERCISE 2.5
1. Verify the Stokes’ theorem for 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 𝑖 + 𝑥𝑦𝑗 for the surface of a square lamina bounded
by 𝑥 = −1, 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = −1 and 𝑦 = 1.
Answer:0.
2. Evaluate using Stokes’ theorem 𝐶
(𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑧𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥𝑑𝑧) ; 𝐶 being the intersection of
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑎2 , 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 𝑎 .
𝜋𝑎 2
Answer:−
2
2
3. Verify Stokes’ theorem for 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑧𝑖 + 𝑧𝑥𝑗 + 𝑥𝑦𝑘 where 𝐶 is the intersection of 𝑥 +
𝑦 2 = 1 and 𝑦 = 𝑧 2 .
Answer: [Common Value 0]
4. Evaluate 𝑆
∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 where 𝐹 = 𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑧 𝑗 − 3𝑥𝑦 2 𝑘 and 𝑆 is the
surface of the cone 𝑧 = 4 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 above XoY-plane.
Answer:−16𝜋
5. Evaluate 𝑆
∇ × 𝐹 ∙ 𝑛 𝑑𝑆 where 𝐹 = −𝑦 3 𝑖 + 𝑥 3 𝑗 and 𝑆 is the surface bounded by the
𝑥2 𝑦2
curve 𝐶 which is the boundary of the ellipse + = 1.
𝑎2 𝑏2
3𝜋𝑎𝑏
Answer: 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
16

6. Evaluate 𝐶 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 by Stokes’ theorem, where 𝐹 = 𝑦 2 𝑖 + 𝑥 2 𝑗 − (𝑥 + 𝑧)𝑘 and 𝐶 is the

boundary of the triangle with vertices at 0,0,0 , (1,0,0) and (1,1,0).
1
Answer: .
3
5-66 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE

Gradient of scalar point function 𝝓
1. If 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 , 𝑣 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 , 𝑤 = 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥 then show that ∇u, ∇v, ∇w are
coplanar.
[Ans: ∇𝑢. ∇𝑣 𝑥 ∇w = 0]
𝑓′ (𝑟)
2. Prove :∇ 𝑓 𝑟 = 𝑟
𝑟
𝑟 −1 1
3. Find 𝜙 𝑟 such that ∇𝜙 = and 𝜙 1 = 0 [Ans:𝜙 𝑟 = + ]
𝑟5 3𝑟 3 3
𝑎 .𝑟 𝑎 𝑛 𝑎.𝑟 𝑟
4. Prove: ∇ = − where 𝑎 is a constant vector.
𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑛 𝑟 𝑛 +2
1 3(𝑎 .𝑟 ) 𝑎
5. Prove: ∇ 𝑎 . ∇ = − where 𝑎 is a constant vector.
𝑟 𝑟5 𝑟3
1
6. Prove: 𝑟 5 [𝑏. ∇ ) ] = 3(𝑎.𝑟) 𝑏. 𝑟 − (𝑎. 𝑏)𝑟 2 where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constant vectors.
𝑟
𝑟 −(𝑘 .𝑟 )𝑘
7. If 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = log 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 and 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 then show S.T gran𝑓 =
𝑟 − 𝑘 .𝑟 𝑘 . 𝑟 − 𝑘 .𝑟 𝑘

8. If ∇𝑢 = 2𝑟 4 𝑟 Find 𝑢
𝑟6
[Ans: 𝑢 = + 𝐾]
3
𝑏 𝑥𝑎 2 𝑎.𝑟 (𝑏 𝑥𝑟 )
9. Prove: 𝑏 𝑥 ∇(𝑎. ∇ log 𝑟) = − where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constant vectors.
𝑟2 𝑟4

10. Prove: ∇ 𝑟𝑥𝑎 . 𝑟𝑥𝑏 = 𝑏 𝑥 𝑟 𝑥 𝑎 + 𝑎 𝑥 𝑟𝑥𝑏 where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constant vectors.
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
11. Find the unit normal to the surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑎2 at , ,
3 3 3
1
[Ans: 𝑖+𝑗+𝑘 ]
3
12. Find the unit normal to the surface 𝑥𝑦 3 𝑧 2 = 4 at the point(-1,-12)
−𝑖 +3𝑗 −𝑘
[Ans: ]
11

13. Find the equation of tangent plane and normal line to the surface z =𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 at (2,-1,5)
(𝑥−2) (𝑦 +1) (𝑧−5)
[Ans: 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 5; = = ]
4 −2 −1

14. Find the angle between the surface 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 -xy=1 and 𝑏𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑧 + 𝑧 = 1 at

P(1,1,0)
[Ans: 45°]
15. Find the cosine of the angle between the normal to the surface 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 log z -
𝑦 2 = −4 at the point of intersection P(-1,2,1)
−5
[Ans: cos𝜃 = ]
18. 17
2
16. Find the constants a & b so that the surface 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏𝑦𝑧 = (𝑎 + 2)x will be orthogonal to
the surface 4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧 3 = 4 at the point (1,-1,2)
[Ans: a=5/2,b=1]
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-67

17. Find the constants m & n such that the surface 𝑚𝑥 2 − 2𝑛𝑦𝑧 = 𝑚 + 4 𝑥 will be
orthogonal to the surface 4𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑧 3 = 4 at the point (1,-1,2)
[Ans: m=5,n=1]
18. If the angle between the surface 𝑥 2 𝑧 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 + 1 = 𝑧 𝑎𝑡 (0,1,2) is co𝑠 −1 (1/ 3), find
the constants a and b.
[Ans: a=5/2,b=1]
19. Find directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑥 4 + 𝑦 4 + 𝑧 4 at the point A(1,-2.1) in the direction of
line AB where B=(2,6,-1)
−260
[Ans: ]
69
2𝑥−𝑦 +𝑧
20. Find the directional derivative if 𝜙 = 𝑒 at the point (1,1,-1) in a direction towards
the point (-3,5,6)
[Ans: -(20/9)]
21. Find the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 at (1,2,3) in the direction of the line
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
= =
3 3 5
48
[Ans: ]
43

22. Find the directional derivative of 𝜙 = 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 2 at (2,-1,1) along the line 2(x-2) = y +1 =
z -1
1
[Ans: ∇. 𝑇 = −3when 𝑇 = 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 2𝑘 &∇ф = 𝑖 − 3𝑗 − 2𝑘]
3

23. (a) In what direction from the point (2,1,-1) is the directional derivative of ф = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 3 a
maximum? (b)What is the magnitude of this maximum ?
[Ans: (a) Direction of ∆ф. −4𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 12𝑘 : (𝑏) 176]
24. Find the directional derivative of ф = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑧 + 𝑧 2 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑡 𝑃(1,2,1) in the direction of
normal to the surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 𝑧 2 𝑥 = 1 at Q(1,1,1)
[Ans: 4/3]
25. Find the directional derivative of 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 3 at the point (2,-1,1) along the tangent to the
curve x = at sin t, y = a cos t , z = a t at t = 𝜋/4
[Ans: -1.074]
26. Find the directional derivative of ф = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑧 2 + 𝑧 2 𝑥 2 at (1,1,-2) in the directional
of tangent to the curve x = 𝑒 −𝑡 , y = 2 sin t + 1, z = t – cos t at t = 0
2
[Ans: ]
6
2 2 3
27. Find the values of a, b, c if the directional derivative of ф = 𝑎𝑥𝑦 +byz+𝑐𝑧 𝑥 at (1,2,-1)
has maximum magnitude 64 in the direction parallel to z-axis
axr
28. Prove: (i) ∇. a x r = 0 (ii) ∇. =0
r

29. Prove: ∇. фA = ∇ф . A + ф ∇. A
30. If r = xi + yj + zk, Show that Div r n r = n + 3 r n
5-68 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

2
31. Prove: ∇2 f(r) = f ′′ r + f ′ r hence find f(r) such that ∇2 f r = 0
r

32. Prove: (i) ∇ (r log r_ = 5 + 6 log r (ii) ∇2 r n log r = [n n + 1 log r + 2n + 1]r n−2
2 2

1 2
(iii) ∇2 = (iv) ∇2 𝑟 2 = 6
𝑟2 𝑟4
1 3
33. Prove: ∇. [r ∇ =
r3 r4

34. Prove that –Div (grad r n ) =n(n+1)r n−2 where r =xi + yj + zk

35. Prove: ∇2 r 2 er = (r 2 + 6r + 6)er …
x −2x
36. Prove: ∇2 =
r2 r4

37. If A = x 2 zi − 2y 3 z 2 j + xy 2 zk ,find∇ x A at (1,-1,1)

[Ans:- 6𝑖 + 0 𝑗 + 0𝑘 ]
38. Prove: (i) Curl grad.ф = 0 (ii) Div curl 𝐴 = 0
(iii) curl𝑟 = 0 (iv) Curl 𝑟 𝑚 𝑟 = 0
39. Prove: ∇𝑥 𝑎 𝑥 𝑟 = 2𝑎where 𝑎 is a constant vector
𝑎𝑥𝑟 2−𝑛 𝑛 𝑎 .𝑟 𝑟
40. Prove :∇ 𝑥 = 𝑎 is + , where 𝑎 is a constant vector.
𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑛 𝑟 𝑛 +2
𝑎𝑟 2 𝑎 .𝑟
41. Find ‘n’ such that ∇ 𝑥 = 𝑟.
𝑟𝑛 𝑟4
[Ans: n=2]
42. If 𝐴 is constant unit vector, prove that :𝐴. 𝐴. ∇ 𝐹 − 𝐴. 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑙 𝐹 𝑥 𝐴 = 𝑑𝑖𝑣 𝐹 .
43. Prove that ∇. ∇ 𝑥 𝐹 = 0 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐹 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 vector point function.
44. Prove: ∇ 𝑥 ∇ 𝑥 𝐴 = ∇ ∇. 𝐴 − ∇2 𝐴
45. Prove: ∇ 𝑥 ф𝐴 = ∇ф 𝑥 𝐴 + ф ∇ 𝑥 𝐴 .
46. Prove: ∇ 𝑥 𝐴 𝑥 𝐵 = 𝐵. ∇ 𝐴 − 𝐵 ∇. 𝐴 − 𝐴 − ∇ 𝐵 + 𝐴 ∇. 𝐵 .
47. Prove: ∇ x [𝐴 𝑥 𝐵 𝑥 𝑟 ] = 𝐴 𝑥 𝐵
48. Prove: ∇. 𝐴 𝑥 𝐵 = 𝐵 . ∇ 𝑥 𝐴 − 𝐴. (∇ 𝑥 𝐵)
49. Prove: ∇ 𝑎. 𝐴 = 𝑎 𝑥 ∇ 𝑥 𝐴 + 𝑎. ∇ 𝐴 )
50. Prove: ∇ 𝐴. 𝐵 = 𝐵. ∇ 𝐴 + 𝐴. ∇ 𝐵 + 𝐵 𝑥 ∇ 𝑥 𝐴 + 𝐴 𝑥 ∇ 𝑥 𝐵 .
51. If 𝑎 is a constant vector, prove that ∇ 𝑥 (𝑟 𝑥 𝑎 𝑥 𝑟 = 3 𝑟 𝑥 𝑎
52. If 𝐹 = 𝑎. 𝑟 𝑟 where 𝑎 is a constant vector, find curl of 𝐹 and prove that it is
perpendicular to 𝑎.
[Ans:∇ 𝑥 𝐹 = 0]
53. Show that the vector field 𝐹 = 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 3 𝑖 + 𝑥 2 𝑗 + 3𝑥𝑧 2 + 2𝑧 𝑘 is conservative and
find ф(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) such that 𝐹 = ∇ф.
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-69

54. Find the constant a so that 𝐹 is a conservative vector filed where, 𝐹 = 𝑎𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 3 𝑖 +
𝑎 − 2 𝑥 2 𝑗 + 1 − 𝑎 𝑎𝑧 2 𝑘 and find its scalar potential.
[Ans: a = 4]
55. (a) Prove that 𝐹 = 𝑟 3 𝑟 is irrotational.
𝑟
(b) Show that 𝐹 = is irrtational and Solenoidal.
𝑟3

56. (a) Prove that: 𝐹 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 2 𝑖 + (𝑥 2 𝑧 2 + 𝑧 cos 𝑦𝑧) 𝑗 + 2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦𝑧 𝑘 is conservative

Find scalar potential ф such that 𝐹 = ∇ф and hence determine the work done by 𝐹
𝜋
displacing an object from A(0,0,1) to B(1, , 2) along the straight line AB.
4

(b) Show that 𝐹 = 𝑥 − 𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑦 − 𝑧𝑥 𝑗 + 𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦 𝑘 is conservative vector filed.

2 2

Find its Scalar potential and also find work done in moving particle from (2,0,2) to (1,1,0)
[Ans: (a) ф = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 2 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑐, work done = 𝜋 + 1]
57. Determine constant a,b,c so that vector. 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑎𝑧 𝑗 + [4𝑥 + 𝑐𝑦 + 2𝑧]𝑘
is irrational .
58. Prove that 𝐹 = (x+2y+az)I +(bx-3y-z)j +(4x+cy+2z) k is solenoidal and determine the
constants a,b,c if 𝐹 is irrotational.
59. Show that 𝑉 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥 2 𝑧 + 2𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑘 is irrotational and find its scalar potential
ф
60. If (xyz)𝑚 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑦 𝑛 𝑗 + 𝑧 𝑛 𝑘 is irrotational vector then prove that either m = 0 or n =-1
61. If 𝐹 = 𝑥 + 3𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑦 − 2𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑧 + 𝑥 𝑘 is solenodial, find the value of 𝑎
[Ans: a = -2]
62. Prove that 𝐹 = 𝑦 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 𝑧 3 𝑖 + 2𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 − 4 𝑗 + 3𝑥𝑧 2 + 2 k is a conservative filed.
Find: i) Scalar potential for 𝐹
ii) The work done in moving an object in this filed from (0,1,-1) to (𝜋/2, −1,2)
[Ans: (i) ф = 𝑦 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑧 2 𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 2𝑧, (ii) −[4𝜋 + 15]]
63. Show that vector defined by 𝐹 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 − 𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑘 is conservative
and find a function ф such that 𝐹 = ∇ ф
64. Prove that 𝐹 = 2xy 𝑒 𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥 2 𝑒 𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑒 𝑧 𝑘 is an irrotational vector and find the
corresponding scalar 𝜙 such that 𝐹 = ∇𝜙 and 𝜙 (1,1,0) = 4 .
[Ans: 𝜙 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 − 1]
65. Prove that 𝐹 = 4𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 𝑧 𝑖 + 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑥 3 − 2𝑦 𝑘 conservative filed and
determine the work done by 𝐹 displacing the particle from A(1,0,1) to B(2,1,1).
66. Prove that 𝐹 = 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑎𝑧 + + (4𝑥 + 𝑐𝑦 + 2𝑧)𝑘 is solenoidal and determine
constants a, b, and c if 𝐹 is irrotational.
67. Show that 𝐴 = 𝑦 2 − 𝑧 2 + 3𝑦𝑧 − 2𝑥 𝑖 + 3𝑥𝑧 + 2𝑥𝑦 𝑗 + (3𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑧 + 2𝑧)𝑘 is both
solenoidal and irrotational
5-70 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

68. Show that 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑒 𝑥𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑧 𝑗 − 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑧 𝑘 is irrotational vector filed,

𝑄
Find 𝜙 If 𝐹 = ∇𝜙 and also evaluate 𝑃 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 along a curve joining the points P(0,0,0) and
Q(1,2,𝜋)
1+𝑒 2
[Ans:𝜙 = 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑧 + 𝑐, 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 = − ]
𝑒2

69. Evaluate (2𝑥𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑋 2 𝑗) . 𝑑𝑟 over

i) The straight line from (0,0) to (2,1)
ii) Parabola𝑦 2 = 4𝑥 from (0,0) to (1,2)
iii) Circle x = cost, y = sin t (𝜋/2 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 0)
[Ans: (i) 4/3 (ii) 6/5 (iii)-4/3)]
70. Evaluate 𝑐 𝐹 .d𝑟 where 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑖 around the ∆ OAB whose vertices are the points
O(0,0), A(1,0), B(0,1)
[Ans: 0] [Ans: 1-𝑒 −2𝜋 ]
71. Find circulation of 𝐹 = 𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑗 + 2𝑥𝑦 𝑗 around c, where c is the curve of intersection of
the straight line y = x and the parabola y 𝑥 2
[Ans: 1/6]
72. Find circulation of 𝐹 = 𝑒 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑒 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 𝑗 around 𝑐 where 𝑐 is the rectangle whose
vertices are(0,0) ,(1,0),(1,𝜋/2),(0,𝜋/2)
[Ans: 0]
𝑥2 𝑦2
73. Find circulation of 𝐹 =- y 𝑖 + 𝑥 𝑗 around the ellipse + =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
[Ans: 2𝜋 𝑎𝑏]
74. If 𝐹 = 𝑥 𝑗 + 𝑧 𝑘 find circulation of 𝐹 around the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4, 𝑧 = 2
[Ans: 4𝜋]
75. (a) If 𝜙 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 2 , 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑥 2 𝑘 and C is the curve x = 𝑡 2 , y = 2t, z = 𝑡 3 from
𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 1. Evaluate the line integrals 𝑐 𝜙 𝑑𝑟
8 8
[Ans: (i) 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘]
11 5
(b) Evaluate 𝑐 𝑓 𝑑𝑟 , where 𝑓 = 2𝑥𝑦 𝑧 + 𝑥 𝑦 and 𝐶 is the curve 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑡 2 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3
2 2

from 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 1
76. If 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 𝑖 + 𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑘 displaces a particle from 𝐴(1,0,1) to B(2,1,2) along
straight line AB, find the work done.
[Ans: 16/3]
4,8)
77. Evaluate the integral (0,0) 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + (4𝑦𝑥 − 2𝑦) 𝑑𝑦, along the path 𝑦 = 𝑥 3
2 2 2

[Ans: 464]
2,1
78. Evaluate 0,0
(10𝑥 4 − 2𝑥𝑦 3 )𝑑𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 along the path 𝑥 4 − 6𝑥𝑦 3 = 4𝑦 2
[Ans: 60]
(𝜋,2)
79. Evaluate (0,0)
6𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 dx + 3𝑥 2 − 2xy dy along cycloid x = θ − sin θ , y = −1 −
cos θ
[Ans: 26.91]
 VECTOR CALCULUS | 5-71

80. Find the work done when the force when the force 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 + x − 2𝑦 3 𝑖 − 6𝑦 2 x + y 𝑗
moves a particle in the xy plane from A(0,0) to B(1,1) along the curve 𝑦 2 = x Is the work
done different if the path is 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 3 ?
[Ans: - (5/3), No]
81. Evaluate 𝑐 𝐹 .𝑑𝑟 where 𝐹 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑖 − 6𝑦 2 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑗 & 𝐶 is the rectangle in the 𝑥 − 𝑦
plane bounded by x=0 ,x = a, y =0 ,y = b
[Ans: -2𝜋𝑎𝑏 2 ]
82. Show that 𝑐 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 = 3π . 𝐹 = z𝑖 + x𝑗 + y𝑘 and C being the arc of the curve:
𝑟 = cos t𝑖 + sin t 𝑗 + t𝑅 from t = 0 to t = 2π.
83. If 𝐴 =(2y +3) 𝑖 + xy 𝑗 +(yz – x) 𝑘 evaluate 𝑐 𝐴 𝑑𝑟 along the following paths
a) x = 2𝑡 2 , 𝑦 = 𝑡 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 from 𝑡 = 0 to t = 1.
b) The straight lines from (0,0,0,) to (0,0,1) then to (0,1,1) and then to (2,1,1)
c) The straight line joining (0,0,0) and (2,1,1)
[Ans:(a)288/35,(b)10,(c)8]
84. Find the work done in moving a particle once round a circle in the XY plane if the circle
has the centre at the origin & radius 2 & if the force filed is given by,
𝐹 = 2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑖 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 2 𝑗+? ? 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 5𝑧 𝑘
[Ans: 8𝜋]
85. Compute 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 around the circle (𝑥 − 1)2 + 𝑦 2 = 1, 𝑧 = 3,if 𝐹 = −𝑦 𝑖 + 𝑥𝑗 + 𝑧𝑘 .
[Ans: 2𝜋]
2
86. Evaluate 𝑐
(𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑥𝑦𝑗) . 𝑑𝑟 , where 𝐶 is the curve.
i) along the parabola x = 𝑦 2 from (0,0) to (1,1)
ii) along the st. line x = y from (0,0) to (1,1)
(−1,0) −𝑦𝑑𝑥 +𝑥𝑑𝑦
87. Evaluate (1,0)
along the following paths:
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2

a) Straight line segments from (1,0) to (1,1) then to (-1,1) then to (-1,0)
b) Straight line segments from (1,0) to (1,-1) then to (-1,-1) then to (-1,0)
[Ans: (a) 𝜋 (b) −𝜋]
𝐵
88. Evaluate 𝐴
(𝑦 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦 3 ) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑒 𝑥𝑦 − 6𝑥𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 along (y-1)2 =9(x-1) from A(1,1) to
B(2,4)
[Ans: 𝑒 8 − 𝑒 − 254]
89. Evaluate the following integrals:
𝐵
i) 𝐴
(3𝑥 4 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦 along 𝑦 2 = 2𝑥 3 from 𝐴 0,0 to 𝐵(2,4)
ii) 𝐶 𝑒 2𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦𝑒 𝑦 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 where 𝐶 is closed curve formed by 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 &
𝑥 2 = 𝑦.
𝐵 2
iii) 𝐴
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑦 along 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 , 𝑦 = 2𝑡 from 𝐴 1, −2 to 𝐵(0,0)
[Ans: 𝑖 16, 𝑖𝑖 − (3/10), (𝑖𝑖𝑖) − 3]
5-72 | APPLIED MATHEMATICS

90. Evaluate 𝐶 (𝑥 2 + 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 where 𝐶 is the boundary of the square with

vertices (1,1),(1,2),(2,2),(2,1)
[Ans: -1]
91. Evaluate 𝐶 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 where 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦𝑖 + 𝑦𝑧 𝑗 + 𝑧𝑥 𝑘
i) From (0,0,0) to (1,1,1)
ii) Along the x-axis to (1, 0, 0) then to (1,1,0) & then to (1,1,1)
[Ans: i)1,(ii)1/2]
92. If 𝐴 = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑦 𝑖 − 14𝑦𝑧 𝑗 + 20𝑥𝑧 2 𝑘, evaluate 𝑐 𝐴 . 𝑑𝑟 from ? 0,0,0 to (1,1,1)
along the following paths C: a) x = t ,y 𝑡 2 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 b) The straight line joining (0,0,0) to
(1,1,1)
[Ans: (a)5, (b)13/3]
93. Find work done in moving a particle once round an ellipse C in X-Y plane .if the ellipse
has centre at the origin with semi-major & semi-minor axes 4 & 3 respectively.
𝐹 = 3𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑖 + 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 2 𝑗 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 4𝑦 2 + 𝑧 3 𝑘
[Ans: 96𝜋]
94. Find the total work done in moving a particle in a Force filed given by 𝐹 = 3xy 𝑖 − 5𝑧𝑗 +
10𝑥𝑘 along the curve x = 𝑡 2 + 1, 𝑦 = 2𝑡 2 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 from 𝑡 = 1 𝑡𝑜 𝑡 = 2
[Ans: 17]
95. Find the work done in moving a particle along the curve 𝑟 = 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝑖 + 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃𝑗 + 𝑏𝜃 𝑘
from 𝜃 = 𝜋/2 under the force filed given by, 𝐹 = −3𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝑖 + 𝑎 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 −
3 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 𝑗 + (𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)𝑘
1
[Ans: 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 ]
2

96. Prove that: 𝐶 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑧 𝑑𝑦 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑧 = − 3 𝜋 𝑎2 . Where C is the intersection of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 +

𝑧 2 = 𝑎2 and x + y + z = 0.
𝑥2 𝑦2
97. Find the work done in moving a particle once round the ellipse + = 1 in the plane z
16 9
= 0 in the force field given by 𝐹 = 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 𝑖 + 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑦 2 𝑘.