ELECTROMAGNETIC

FIELDS THEORY
CHAPTER 1:

VECTOR FIELDS

SLIDE | 1
Learning Outcome

• LO1: Point out the application of vector algebra

• LO2: Differentiate the application of vector calculus and coordinate
system

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Concept Map
BEL2123 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS THEORY 1

Dot & Cross

Products
Vector vs Scalar
Addition & Division &
subtraction Multiplication
Unit vector Vector field
Vector operation
Coordinate systems

Cartesian Cylindrical Spherical Del operator

Relation Relation

Differential displacement, surface & volume Gradient Divergence Curl

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Scalar

• Scalar: A quantity that has only magnitude.

• For example time, mass, distance, temperature and population are
scalars.
• Scalar is represented by a letter – e.g., A, B

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Vector
• Vector: A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
• Example: Velocity, force, displacement and electric field intensity.
• Vector are commonly represented using , A, and . Therefore, it is
recommended to use to denote vectors in equations for clarify.

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Unit Vector
• A vector has both magnitude and direction.
• The magnitude of is a scalar written as A or .
• A unit vector along is defined as a vector whose magnitude is
unity (i.e., 1) and its direction is along .
• It can be written as aA or

Thus

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 • A vector in Cartesian coordinates may be represented as
( 𝐴 𝑥 , 𝐴 𝑦 , 𝐴 𝑧) or 𝐴𝑥 𝑎^ 𝑥+ 𝐴 𝑦 𝑎^ 𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝑎^ 𝑧

(a) (b)
Magnitude of vector is given by

𝐴= √ 𝐴 + 𝐴 + 𝐴
2
𝑥
2
𝑦
2
𝑧

Unit vector along is given by

𝐴𝑥 𝑎^ 𝑥+ 𝐴 𝑦 𝑎^ 𝑦+ 𝐴𝑧 𝑎^ 𝑧
𝑎^ 𝐴=
Figure 1 (a) Unit vectors (b)
components of along √𝐴 +𝐴 +𝐴
2
𝑥
2
𝑦
2
𝑧

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Vector Addition
• The sum of two vectors for example vectors A and B can be obtain
by moving one of them so that its terminal point (tip) coincides
with the initial point (tail) of the other

𝐴+𝐵 Terminal point

Initial
𝐵 𝐵 𝐴
𝐴
Initial 𝐴+𝐵
Terminal point

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Vector Subtraction

• Vector subtraction is similarly carried out as

−𝐵
𝐴− 𝐵 𝐴 𝐴− 𝐵
𝐴 𝐴− 𝐵 𝐴
𝐵
−𝐵 𝐵
Figure (a) Figure (b) Figure (c)

Figure (c) shows that vector is a vector that is must be added to to give vector
So if vector and are placed tail to tail then vector is a vector that runs from the tip of
to .
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Position and Distance Vectors
• Point P in Cartesian coordinates may be represented by
• Position vector (or radius vector) of point P is defined as the
directed distance from the origin O to P; that is,
z

Illustration of the position vector

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• Distance vector is the displacement from one point to another.
• If two points P and Q are given by , , ) and , ), the distance vector (or
separation vector) is the displacement from P to Q; that is

Distance of

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Example 1

If and , Find

(a) The component of along

(b) The magnitude of
(c) A unit vector along

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 Solution
(a) The component of along is

¿ ( 30 , − 12 , 18 ) − (2 , 1 , 0 )
¿ ( 28 , − 13 , 18 )
Hence,
|3 𝐴 − 𝐵|=√ 28 + ( −13 ) 2+(18) 2= √ 1277
2

¿ 35.74

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Solution

(c) Let
A unit vector along is

or

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Example 2

Points P and Q are located at (0, 2, 4) and (-3, 1, 5). Calculate

(a) The position of vector

(b) The distance vector from P to Q
(c) The distance between P and Q
(d) A vector parallel to PQ with magnitude of 10

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Solution

a)
b) /
c) Since is the distance vector from P to Q, the distance between P and
Q is the magnitude of this vector, that is

𝑑=|𝑟 𝑃𝑄|= √(𝑥𝑄 −𝑥 𝑃 ) +(𝑦 𝑄 − 𝑦 𝑃 ) +(𝑧 𝑄 − 𝑧 𝑃 )

2 2 2

¿ √ 9+ 1+1=3.317
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Solution
d) Let the required vector be , then
𝐴= 𝐴 𝑎^ 𝐴
Where is the magnitude of . Since is parallel to PQ, it must have the
vector as or . Hence

𝑟^ 𝑃𝑄 (−3 ,−1 , 1)
^ 𝐴=±
𝑎 =±
|𝑟^ 𝑃𝑄| 3.317

10(− 3 , −1 , 1)
𝐴=± ^ 𝑥 − 3.015 𝑎
=± (−9.045 𝑎 ^ 𝑦 + 3.015 𝑎
^ 𝑧)
3.317

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Vector Multiplication

• Scalar (dot ) product ( • )

• Vector (cross) product ()

• Scalar triple product • (C)

• Vector triple product ( )

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Dot product ( • )

• The dot product of two vectors , and the projection of (or vice versa).
• Thus ;

= ||||cos θ
Where θ is the angle between and

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Dot product obeys the following law: :

i. Commutative law:
=

ii. Distributive law:

+ )= +

iii. = =

Also note that

= = =0
= = =1
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Example 3

In order to illustrate these definitions and operations, consider the

vector field = y−2.5x +3 and the point Q(4, 5, 2).We wish to find: at
Q; the scalar component of at Q in the direction of = (2 + − 2); the
vector component of at Q in the direction of ; and finally, the angle
θGa between ( ) and .

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Solution
Substituting the coordinates of point Q into the expression for ,
() = 5 − 10 + 3

Next, find the scalar component. Using the dot product,

· = (5 − 10 + 3) · (2 + − 2)= (10−10−6)= −2

The vector component is obtained by multiplying the scalar component by the unit
vector in the direction of
( · ) = −(2) (2 + − 2)= −1.333 − 0.667 + 1.333

The angle between () and is found from

· = || cos θGa
−2 = cos θGa
And
θGa = = 99.9°

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Cross product ()
• The cross product of two vectors and , written as is defined as

= ||||sin

where; a unit vector

𝑛 ^ perpendicular to the plane that contains the two
vectors. The direction of is taken as the direction of the right thumb
(using right-hand rule)

• The vector multiplication of = ||||sin is called cross product owing to

the cross sign; it is also called vector product because the result is a
vector. If = (, , ) and = (, , ), then
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Cross product ()

^
𝑛

Which is obtained by “crossing” terms in cyclic permutation, hence

the name “cross product.”

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Right-hand Rule

^
𝑛

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Cross product ()
• Cross product of the unit vectors yield:

^
𝑛

Cross product using cyclic permutation.

(a) Moving clockwise leads to positive results.
(b) Moving counterclockwise leads to negative results.

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Component of a vector

• A direct application of vector product is in determining the projection

(or component) of a vector in a given direction. The projection can be
scalar or vector.
• For vector A, its scalar component along vector B is defined as
^
𝑛

𝐴𝐵 = 𝐴 • 𝑎^ 𝐵
• The vector component of A along B results from the scalar
component muptiplied by unit vector

)
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Example 4
Three field quantities are given by

Determine

a)

b) sin

c) A unit vector perpendicular to both and

d) The component of along

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Solution

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Solution
(b)

Alternatively:

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Solution
To find the determinant of a 3 X 3 matrix, we repeat the first two rows and
cross multiply; when the cross multiplication is from right to left, the result
should be negated as shown below. This technique of finding a determinant
applies only to a 3 X 3 matrix. Hence

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Solution

c)

or

d) sin

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Solution
e)

Alternatively, using the bac-cab rule,

f) A unit vector perpendicular to both and

Note that . Any of these can be used to check

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Solution
g) The component of along is

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Cylindrical Coordinates System

• Very convenient when dealing with problems having cylindrical

symmetry.

• A point P in cylindrical coordinates is represented as (ρ, Φ, z) where

ρ: is the radius of the cylinder; radial displacement from the z-axis
Φ: azimuthal angle or the angular displacement from x-axis
z : vertical displacement z from the origin (as in the cartesian system).

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Cylindrical Coordinates System

az
a

a

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Cylindrical Coordinates System

• The range of the variables are

• Vector in cylindrical coordinates can be written as

or

• The magnitude of is

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Transformation from Cylindrical to Cartesian Coordinate
• The relationships between the variables (x,y,z) of the Cartesian coordinate system
and the cylindrical system (ρ, φ , z) are obtained as

• So a point P (3, 4, 5) in Cartesian coordinate is the same as?

  3  4 5
2 2

1
  tan 4 / 3 0.927 rad
z 5
• Point P (3, 4, 5) in Cartesian coordinate is the same as P ( 5, 0.927,5) in cylindrical
coordinate)
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Spherical Coordinates System (r,θ,φ)

• The spherical coordinate system is used dealing with problems having a

degree of spherical symmetry.
• Point P represented as (r,θ,φ) where
• r : the distance from the origin,
• θ : called the colatitude is the angle between z-axis and vector of
P,
• Φ : azimuthal angle or the angular displacement from x-axis (the
same azimuthal angle in cylindrical coordinates).

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Spherical Coordinates System (r,θ,φ)

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Spherical Coordinates System (r,θ,φ)

• The range of the variables are

• A vector in spherical coordinates written as

or

• The magnitude of is

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Relation to Cartesian Coordinate

2 2 2
r  x y z
2 2
x r sin  cos 
( x y )
 tan 1
y r sin  sin 
z
y z r cos 
 tan 1

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Relationship between Cylindrical and spherical Coordinates System

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Point Transformation

• Point transformation between cylinder and spherical coordinate is

given by

or

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Example 5
Given point and vector express P and in cylindrical and spherical
coordinates. Evaluate at P in the Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical
systems.
Solution:
At point P: Hence,

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Solution:

Thus,

In the Cartesian system, at P is

For a vector , . Hence, in cylindrical system

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Solution:

or

But and substituting these yields

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Solution:
At P

Hence,

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Solution:
Similarly, in the spherical system

Or

But . Substituting these yields

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Solution:

At P

Hence,

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Solution:

Note that is the same in the three systems; that is,

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Example 6
Express the vector

In Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates. Find (-3, 4, 0) and (5, , -2).

Solution:
Using

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Solution:
or

But , , and
Hence,

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Solution:

Subtituting all these gives

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Solution:

Where , and are as just given.

At (-3, 4, 0),

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Solution:

Thus,

For spherical to cylindrical vector transformation

or

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Solution:

But and
Thus,

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Solution:
Hence,

At (

Note that at (-3, 4, 0),

This may be used to check the correctness of the result whenever possible

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Vector Calculus
Differential Elements

• In vector calculus the differential elements in length, area and volume

are useful.

• They are defined in the Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinate

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Differential Elements
Cartesian Coordinates

^ 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 𝑎
Differential displacement : 𝑑 𝑙=𝑑𝑥 𝑎 ^ 𝑦 +𝑑 𝑧 𝑎
^𝑧

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Differential Elements
Cartesian Coordinates

Differential normal surface area :

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Differential Elements

Cartesian Coordinates

Differential ^ 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 𝑎
^ 𝑦 +𝑑 𝑧 𝑎
^𝑧
displacement 𝑑 𝑙=𝑑𝑥 𝑎

Differential normal
surface area

Differential volume 𝑑 𝑣=𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧

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Differential Elements
Cylindrical Coordinates

Differential displacement : 𝑑 𝑙=𝑑 𝜌 ^

𝑎 𝜌 +𝜌 𝑑 𝜙 ^
𝑎 𝜙 +𝑑 𝑧 ^
𝑎 𝑧

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Differential Elements
Cylindrical Coordinates

Differential normal surface area :

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Differential Elements

Cylindrical Coordinates

Differential
displacement 𝑑 𝑙=𝑑 𝜌 𝑎^ 𝜌 +𝜌 𝑑 𝜙 𝑎^ 𝜙 +𝑑 𝑧 𝑎^ 𝑧

Differential normal
surface area

Differential volume 𝑑𝑣=𝜌 𝑑 𝜌 𝑑𝜙 𝑑𝑧

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Differential Elements
Spherical Coordinates

^ 𝑟 +𝑟 𝑑 𝜃 𝑎^ 𝜃 +𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑑 𝜙 𝑎^ 𝜙
Differential displacement : 𝑑 𝑙=𝑑𝑟 𝑎
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Differential Elements
Spherical Coordinates

Differential normal surface area :

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Differential Elements

Spherical Coordinates
Differential
displacement 𝑑 𝑙=𝑑𝑟 𝑎^ 𝑟 +𝑟 𝑑 𝜃 𝑎^ 𝜃 +𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑑 𝜙 𝑎^ 𝜙

Differential normal
surface area

2
Differential volume 𝑑 𝑣=𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑑 𝑟 𝑑 𝜃 𝑑 𝜙

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Example 7

Consider the object shown in Figure given. Calculate

a) The length BC
b) The length CD
c) The surface area ABCD
d) The surface area ABO
e) The surface area AOFD
f) The volume ABDCFO

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Solution:

Although points A, B, C, and D are given in Cartesian coordinates, it is

obvious that the object has cylindrical symmetry. Hence, we solve the
problem in cylindrical coordinates. The points are transformed from
Cartesian to cylindrical coordinates as follows:

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Solution:

a) Along , ; hence,

b) Along , and , so

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Solution:

c) Along , Hence,

d) Along , and , so

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Solution:

e) Along ,

f) For volume , Hence,

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Exercise

Refer to Figure given; disregard the differential lengths and imagine that the
object is part of a spherical shell. It may be described as , where surface is the
same as , surface is , and surface is ABCD. Calculate

a) The arc length DH

b) The arc length FG
c) The surface area AEHD
d) The surface area ABDC
e) The volume of the object

Answer: a) 0.7854, b) 2.618, c) 1.179, d) 4.189,

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e) 4.276. SLIDE | 75
Del Operator

Written as is the vector differential operator. Also known as the gradient

operator. The operator in useful in defining:
1. The gradient of a scalar V, written as
2. The divergence of a vector , written as
3. The curt of a vector , written as

4. The Laplacian of a scalar V, written as

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Gradient of Scalar

G is the gradient of V. Thus

𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
∇𝑉= ^ 𝑥+
𝑎 ^ 𝑦+
𝑎 ^𝑧
𝑎
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
In cylindrical coordinates,

𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
∇𝑉= 𝑎^ 𝜌 + 𝑎^ 𝜙 + 𝑎^ 𝑧
𝜕 𝜌
In spherical coordinates, 𝜌 𝜕𝜙 𝜕 𝑧
𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕𝑉
∇𝑉= 𝑎^ 𝑟 + 𝑎^ 𝜃 + 𝑎^ 𝜙
𝜕𝑟 𝑟 𝜕𝜃 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝜕 𝜙
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Example:

Given :

Given :

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Divergence
• In Cartesian coordinates,

• In cylindrical coordinates,

• In spherical coordinate,

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Example:

Given :

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Curl of a Vector
• In Cartesian coordinates,

• In cylindrical coordinates,

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Curl of a Vector

• In spherical coordinates,

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Example:
Given

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Laplacian of a scalar

• The laplacian of a scalar field V, written as is defined as the divergence

of the gradient of V.

• In Cartesian coordinates,
2 2 2
2 𝜕 𝑉 𝜕 𝑉 𝜕 𝑉
∇ 𝑉= 2
+ 2
+ 2
𝜕 𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

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Laplacian of a scalar

• In cylindrical coordinates,

( )
2 2
1 𝜕
2 𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕 𝑉 𝜕 𝑉
∇ 𝑉= 𝜌 + 2 +
𝜌 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌 𝜌 𝜕𝜙
2
𝜕𝑧
2

• In spherical coordinates,

( ) ( )
2
2 1 𝜕 2 𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕 𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕𝑉
∇ 𝑉= 2 𝑟 + 2 sin 𝜃 + 2 2
𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝜕 𝑟 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝜕 𝜃 𝜕 𝜃 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝜕 𝜙 2

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