ECE 31100 - ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS

Vector Calculus Set 2B Week2 - 2017

Problem 6

The vector A on the front surface of a small cube is equal to x 8, as shown below. Its direction and
magnitude on two other surfaces are also indicated; it is equal to zero on the remaining three surfaces.
Assuming the volume of the cube to be unity, find the divergence of the vector A using its definition.

Solution
By definition, the divergence of A at a point is defined as the net outward flux per unit volume over a
closed incremental surface:

for a small volume. The term is not crossing the surface , it does not contribute.

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Problem 7

A vector field exists in the region between two concentric cylindrical surfaces defined by
r = 1 and r = 2, with both cylinders extending between z = 0 and z = 5. Verify the divergence theorem.

Solution
The divergence theorem relate the volume integral of over any volume V, to the flux of D through
the closed surface S that bounds V.
That is,

(a) First evaluate the flux of , with differential surface written in cylindrical coordinates:

1
Thus,

where:

, and

Therefore,

(a) Next, evaluate the volume integral of , with divergence of the vector written in cylindrical
coordinates:

,
Thus,
Therefore,

(checks)

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(C) Curl of a Vector, Stokes's Theorem, Laplacian Operator

Problem 8
Determine if each of the following vector fields is solenoidal, conservative, or both:
(a) ; (b) .
Solution
(a)
The vector field A is called solenoidal if its divergence is zero, that is
The vector field A is called conservative (or irrotational) if curl A is zero, that is

Thus,

Hence, A is not solenoidal.

Hence, A is also not conservative.

(b) With , calculate div B in cylindrical coordinates:

Thus,

Hence, B is not solenoidal.

Calculate curl B in cylindrical coordinates:

Thus,

Therefore, B is conservative.

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Problem 9

For the vector field verify the Stokes's theorem for the triangular contour C and
the area of the triangle S shown in Fig.3-7(a).

3
Solution
The Stokes's theorem states that

With z = 0, the three segment lines of the triangle in the xy plane are represented by the equations:
y = 0, x = 1, and y = x.

(a) First, evaluate .

Therefore,

(b) Next, evaluate , with

where,

Thus,
 (checks)

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Problem 10

Find the Laplacian of the scalar function .

Solution
The divergence of the gradient of a scalar, , is called the Laplacian of V, and is denoted by
(the symbol is pronounced "del square"). That is,

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