Chapter 2

Vector Calculus

2.1 INTRODUCTION
In Vector Algebra we mostly deal with constant vectors, viz. vectors which are constant

each value of scalar variable t F, then F is called

a vector function of the scalar variable t and is denoted as F F (t ) .

t. r
t, i.e. r r (t ) .

rectangular cartesian co-ordinates (x, y, z), then r is a function of the scalar variables
x, y, z, i.e. r r (x, y, z ).
A
a scalar point function or a vector point function,

that region is called a . or a , according

2.2 VECTOR DIFFERENTIAL OPERATOR

II – 2.2 Part II: Mathematics II

i j k
x y z
,

vector) with , , i , j,k . When writing

x y z

i , it should be noted that i and

x x
.

2.2.1 Gradient of a Scalar Point Function

Let (x, y, z)

i j k i j k
x y z x y z
and shortly denoted as .

Note 1. should not be written as .

2. When combines with , neither . and
.
3. If is a constant, = 0.
4. (c1 1 ± c2 2 c1 1 ± c2 2
where c1 and c2 are constants and 1,
2
5. ( 1 2 1 2 2
.
1

6. 1 2 1 1 2
, if 2
0 .
2
2 2

7. If v = f (u), then (u) u.

2.2.2 Directional Derivative of a Scalar Point

Function (x, y, z)
Let P and Q
origin O be r (= OP) and r r( OQ) y, so that PQ r and PQ
= r. Let and + P and Q

d
Then lim is called the directional derivative of in the direction OP.
dr r 0 r

i.e. d gives the rate of change of

dr
direction of r .
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.3

, , , are the directional derivatives of at P(x, y, z) in the

x y z
.

2.2.3 Gradient as a Directional Derivative

Let (x, y, z (x, y, z) = c
values of c, a family of surfaces, called the level surfaces of the function .
, namely = c1 and = c2
P ( r ) and Q ( r r ) . [Refer to Fig. 2.1]
Let the normal at P to the level surface = c1 R Q
meet = c2 at R.
= c2
surfaces = PR = n.
If QPR , PQR, which P
is almost a right angled triangle, = c1

Fig. 2.1
n = r cos (1)
If n is the unit vector along PR, i.e. in the direction of outward drawn normal at P to
the surface = c1, then (1) can be written as
n n r, where r PQ .
or dn n dr (2)
d
d = dn
dn
d
= n dr [by using (2)] (3)
dn

Also d = dx dy dz
x y z

i j k (dx i dy j dz k )
x y z

dr (4)
From (3) and (4),
d
dr [Link]
dn
Since PQ r (or d r ) is arbitrary,
d
n (5)
dn

From (1), d d
dn dr (cos )
II – 2.4 Part II: Mathematics II

d d
i.e. cos
dr dn
d d
i.e. cos 1
dr dn
d
i.e. is , that is the directional derivative
dn
in the direction of n.
:
is a vector whose magnitude is the greatest directional derivative of and
whose direction is that of the outward drawn normal to the level surface = c.

WORKED EXAMPLE 2(a)

Example 2.1 Find the directional derivative of = x 2yz + 4xz2 P (1, 2,

PQ, where Q

x 2 yz 4 xz 2

i j k
x y z
(2 xyz 4z2 ) i x2 z j (x 2 y 8 xz ) k
( ) (1, 2 , 1) 8i j 10k
The magnitude of ( )P is the greatest directional derivative of at P.
at (1, 2 , 1) 64 1 100
165 units.
PQ OQ OP 2i j k

Directional derivative of in the direction of PQ

along PQ .
PQ
PQ
(8 i j 10k ) (2 i j k)
4 1 1
27
units.
6
Example 2.2 Find the unit normal to the surface x3 + z3
(1, 1, 1).

Note Unit normal to a surface =c n in the

 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.5

x3 xyz + z3 (x, y, z) = c.
= x3 xyz + z3
is a vector acting in the direction of the outward drawn normal to the surface
= c.
Now (3 x 2 yz ) i xzj (3 z 2 xy ) k
( )(1,1,1) 2i j 2k n (= a vector in the direction of the normal)
n
n
|n |
1
(2 i j 2k )
3
Example 2.3 Find the directional derivative of the function = xy2 + yz2
x log z y2

x log z y2 (x, y, z) = c.
2
(x, y, z) = x log z y and c
The direction of the normal to this surface is the same as that of .
x
Now (log z ) i 2 y j k
z
( )( 1,2 ,1) 4j k b (say)

xy 2 yz 3
y2i (2 xy z3 ) j 3 yz 2 k
( )( 2 , 1,1) i 3j 3k
Directional derivative of in the direction of b
b
|b |
(i 3j 3k ) ( 4j k)
16 1
15
units.
17

Example 2.4 Find the angle between the normals to the surface xy = z2
, , 2) and (1, 9, .
Angle between the two normal lines can be found out as the angle between the
vectors acting along the normal lines.
xy = z2 with (x, y, z) = c, we get = xy z2 and c = 0.

yi xj 2 zk
II – 2.6 Part II: Mathematics II

( )( 2 , 2 ,2 ) 2i 2j 4k n1 (say)
( )(1,9 , 3) 9i j 6k n2 (say)
n1 and n2
If
n1 n2 44 11
cos
n1 n2 24 118 177
1 11
cos
177

Example 2.5 Find the angle between the surfaces x2 y2 z2 = 11 and 18

Identifying x2 2 2
= 11 with = c,
we have = x2 2 2
and c = 11.
2 xi 2y j 2 zk
( )(6 ,4 ,3) 12 i 8j 6k n1
Identifying 18 with = c´,
we have and c´ = 18
(y z ) i (z x) j (y x)k

6 ,4 ,3 i 9j 2k

If is the angle between the surfaces at (6, 4, 3), then

n1 n2
cos
n1 n2
48 24
244 86 61 86

1 24
cos
5246

Example 2.6 Find the e xz2 3

4x = ,
, 2).
Identifying 2xz2 3 4x = 7 with = c,
we have = 2xz2 3 4x and c = 7.

(2 z 2 3 y 4) i 3x j 4 xzk
( )(1, 1,2 ) 7i 3j 8k

( ) is a vector in the direction of the normal to the surface = c.

 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.7

D.R.’s of the normal to the surface ( = c)

7(x y + 1) + 8(z
i.e. 7x y
Example 2.7 Find the constants a and b, so that the surfaces 5x2 2yz 9x = 0 and
ax2y + bz3 =

.
Identifying 5x2 2yz 9x = 0 with 1
= c,
we have 1 (10 x 9) i 2z j 2 yk
( 1 )(1, 1,2 ) i 4j 2k n1 (say)
Identifying ax2y + bz3 = 4 with 2
= c´.

we have ( 2) 2axyi ax 2 j 3bz 2 k

( 2 )(1, 1,2 ) 2ai aj 12bk n2 (say)

Since the surfaces cut orthogonally, n1 n2 .

i.e. n1 n2 0
a + 24b = 0
a + 4b = 0 (1)
ax2y + bz3 = 4
a + 8b = 4 (2)
Solving (1) and (2), we get a = 4 and b = 1.
Example 2.8 If r x, y, z), a is a constant vector
and = x2 + y2 + z2, (r a ) a and (ii) r grad 2 .
r xi yj zk

Let a a1 i a2 j a3 k
r a a1 x a2 y a3 z
grad r a a1 i a2 j a3 k a
2 2 2
x y +z
grad 2 xi 2 yj 2 zk
r grad 2(x 2 y2 z2 ) 2 .

Example 2.9 If r x, y, z) -
(r n ) nr n 2 r .
II – 2.8 Part II: Mathematics II

r xi yj zk
2 2 2
r |r | x y2 z2 (1)

(r n ) (r n ) i (r n ) j (r n )k
x y z
r r r
nr n 1
i j k (2)
x y z
r
From (l), 2r 2x
x
r x
i.e.
x r
r y r z
Similarly, and (3)
y r z r
Using (3) in (2), we have
x y z
(r n ) nr n 1
i j k
r r r
nr n 2 ( xi yj zk )
n 2
nr r.

Example 2.10 Find the function , if grad

( y2 2 xyz 3 ) i (3 2 xy x2 z3 ) j (6 z 3 3 x 2 yz 2 )k .

( y2 2 xyz 3 ) i (3 2 xy x2 z3 ) j (6 z 3 3x 2 yz 2 )k (1)

i j k (2)
x y z

y2 2 xyz 3 (3)
x

3 2 xy x2 z3 (4)
y

6z3 3 x 2 yz 2 (5)
z
x (i.e. treating y and z as
constants),
= xy2 x2yz3 + a function not containing x (6)
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.9

Note
x
we add an arbitrary function of the other variables y and z, i.e. an arbitrary function
x.
y.
y + xy2 x2yz3 + a function not containing y (7)
z,
3 4
z x 2 yz 3 a function not containing z (8)
2
. The general form of is obtained as
follows:

be included in the value of .

.
The last terms indicate that there is a term of x, y, z, i.e.
a constant.
3 4
3y z xy 2 x 2 yz 3 c.
2

EXERCISE 2(a)

Part A
(Short Answer Questions)
grad and give its geometrical meaning.
1
2. If r x, y, z (r ) r.
r
3. If r x, y, z ( | r |2 ) 2r .
1
4. If r x, y, z f (r ) f (r )r .
r
5. Find grad = 3x2y y3z2.
= x3y2z
7. Find the directional derivative of = xy + yz + zx
the x
= x2y2z4

T = xy + yz + zx

2
x, y, z T(x, y, z + y2 z.

Part B
11. If = xy + yz + zx and F x 2 yi y 2 zj z 2 xk F · grad and F
grad at the
II – 2.10 Part II: Mathematics II

12. Find the directional derivative of = 2xy + z2

direction of i 2 j 2k .
13. Find the directional derivative of = xy2 + yz3 P
direction of PQ where Q
14. Find a unit normal to the surface x2y + 2xz
15. Find the directional derivative of the scalar function = xyz in the direction
of the outer normal to the surface z = xy
16. Find the angle between the normals to the surface xy3z2

17. Find the angle between the normals to the surface x2 = yz

and (2, 4, 1).
18. Find the angle between the surfaces z = x2 + y2 x2 + y2 + z2 = 9 at the

19. Find the angle between the surfaces xy2z = 3x + z2 and 3x2 y2 + 2z = 1 at the

x log z y2
2
xy+z
xz2 + x2y = z

22. Find the values of and , if the surfaces x2 = ( + 2)x and 4x2y + z3 = 4

23. Find the values of a and b, so that the surfaces ax3 by2z = (a + 3)x2 and
4x2y z3
(2 xy z 2 ) i (x 2 2 yz ) j
2
(y 2 zx) k .
25. If 2 xyz 3 i x2 z3 j 3 x 2 yz 2 k (x, y, z), given that

2.2 THE DIVERGENCE OF A VECTOR

If F (x , y , z ) x, y, z) in
F , denoted as F
div F F

i j k F
x y z
F F F
i j k
x y z

Formula for F , when F F1 i F2 j F3 k

F i j k (F1 i F2 j F3 k )
x y z
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.11

F1 F2 F3
x y z

Note Since F , F1, F2 and F3

and hence F .

2.3.1 Physical meaning of F

(i) If V Vx i Vy j Vz k
x, y, z), then V
.
(ii) V V

V V

In general, if F F

F , it is called the divergence of F .

2.3.2 Solenoidal Vector

If F is a vector such that F 0
be a solenoidal vector in that region.

2.3.3 Curl of a Vector

If F (x, y, z) is a differentiable vector x, y, z) in
the curl of F or the rotation of F , denoted as curl F or
rot F
F F

i j k F
x y z
F F F
i j k
x y z

Note F is also
Formula for F, when F F1 i F2 j F3 k (where F1, F2 and F3 are scalar
functions):

F i (F1 i F2 j F3 k )
x
F1 F2 F3
(i i) (i j) (i k)
x x x
II – 2.12 Part II: Mathematics II

F2 F3
k j
x x
F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
i j k
y z z x x y
i j k

x y z
F1 F2 F3

2.3.4 Physical Meaning of Curl F

If F x, y, z) of a rigid body that rotates
, then curl F
2 .

2.3.5 Irrotational Vector

If F is a vector such that F 0
be an irrotational vector in that region.

2.3.6 Scalar Potential of an Irrotational Vector

If F
function.
Let F F1 i F2 j F3 k
Since F F 0

i j k

i.e. 0
x y z
F1 F2 F3

F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
i.e. i j k 0
y z z x x y

F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
; ;
y z z x x y (1)

F1 , F2 and F3
x y z
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.13

F i j k
x y z

If F is irrotational and F , then F.

2.3.7 Expansion Formulae Involving Operations by

’s are given below: The

students.

1. If u and v (u v) u v.
2. If u and v (u v) u v.
3. If F
( F) ( F) F

Proof: ( F) i ( F)
x
F
i F
x x
F
i i F
x x
F F

4. If F

( F) ( F) F

5. If u and v u v v curl u u curl v.

Proof: (u v ) i u v
x
u v
i v u
x x
u v
i v i u
x x
u v
i v i u
x x
[
interchanged]
II – 2.14 Part II: Mathematics II

u v
i v i u
x x
v u u v
6. If u and v
(u v ) ( v )u (v )u ( u )v (u )v

Note In this formula, v and v are not the same, v means div v , but

v vx vy vz , if v vx i vy j vz k
x y z
u u u
Thus v u vx vy vz
x y z
7. If u and v u v v curl u u curl v

(v )u (u )v .

8. If ) = . ( ) = 2
,
2 2 2
2
where 2 2
is called the Laplacian operator and
x y z2
2 2 2
2 2
is called the Laplacian of . = 0 is called the
x2 y2 z2

Note 2
can also F resulting in
2 2 2
2 F F F.
F
x2 y2 z2
9. If )= ( ) = 0.

Proof grad i j k
x y z

i j k

curl (grad )
x y z

x y z
2 2 2 2 2 2
i j
y z z y z x x z x y y x
= 0.

Note This result means that (grad ) is always an irrotational vector.

 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.15

10. If F (curl F ) ( F) 0 .

Proof: Let F F1 i F2 j F3 k

i j k

curl F
x y z
F1 F2 F3
F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
i j k
y z z x x y

F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
div curl F
x y z y z x z x y
2 2 2 2 2 2
F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
x y x z y z y x z x z y
0.

Note This result means that (curl F ) is always a solenoidal vector.

11. If F
2
curl (curl F ) ( F) ( F) F.

Proof: Let F F1 i F2 j F3 k

F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
Then curl F i j k
y z z x x y

curl (curl F )

i j k

x y z
F3 F2 F1 F3 F2 F1
y z z x x y
F2 F1 F1 F3
i
y x y z z x
2 2 2 2
F2 F3 F1 F1
i
y x z x y2 z2
2 2 2 2 2 2
F1 F2 F3 F1 F1 F1
i
x2 x y x z x2 y2 z2
II – 2.16 Part II: Mathematics II

2 2 2
F1 F2 F3
2 2
F1 i
x x y z x y z2
2
F F1 i
x
2
i F j F k F F1 i F2 j F3 k
x y z
2
F F.

12. If F
2
grad (div F ) ( F) ( F) F.

Note Rewriting the formula (11), this result is obtained.

WORKED EXAMPLE 2(b)

Example 2.1 When = x3 + y3 + z3 xyz , . and

(1, 2, 3).
= x3 + y3 + z3 3x yz
i
x
3(x 2 yz ) i 3(y 2 zx)j 3(z 2 xy )k

3(x 2 yz )]
[3 [3(y 2 zx)] [3(z 2 xy )]
x y z
6(x y z )
i j k

x y z
3(x 2 yz ) 3(y 2 zx) 3(z 2 xy )
( 3x 3x) i ( 3 y 3 y )j ( 3z 3z )k
Note = 0, for any ,

( )(1, 2 ,3) 15 i 3j 21k

( . )(1, 2, 3) = 36 and ( × )(1, 2, 3) = 0.

Example 2.2 If F (x 2 y2 2 xz ) i (xz xy yz )j (z 2 x 2 )k , F,

( F ), F, ( F ) and ( F) , 1, 1).
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.17

F (x 2 y2 2 xz ) i (xz xy yz ) j (z 2 x 2 )k

F (x 2 y 2 2 xz ) (xz xy yz ) (z 2 x2 )
x y z
(2 x 2 z ) ( x z ) 2 z
x 5z

( F) (x 5 z ) i (x 5 z ) j (x 5 z )k
x y z
i 5k
i j k

F
x y z
2 2 2
x y 2 xz xz xy yz z x2
(x y) i (2 x 2 x) j (y z )k
(x y) i (y z )k

( F) [ (x y )] (0) (y z)
x y z
1 0 1 0

Note ( F ) 0 , for any F ,

i j k

( F)
x y z
x y 0 y z
i k

( F )(1,1,1) 6; [ ( F )](1,1,1) i 5k ;
( F )(1,1,1) 2i 2k ; [ ( F )] 1,1,1 0;
[ ( F )](1,1,1) i k

Example 2.3 If is a constant vector and r x, y,

z (a r ) a , (ii) div (a r ) = 0 and
(iii) curl (a r ) 2a .

r xi yj zk
Let a a1 i a2 j a3 k , where a1, a2, a3 are constants.
a r a1 x a2 y a3 z
II – 2.18 Part II: Mathematics II

grad (a r ) (a1 x a2 y a3 z ) i
x
a1 i a2 j a3 k
a
i j k
a r a1 a2 a3
x y z
(a2 z a3 y ) i (a3 x a1 z ) j (a1 y a2 x)k

div (a r ) (a2 z a3 y ) (a3 x a1 z ) (a1 y a2 x)

x y z
0
i j k

curl (a r )
x y z
a2 z a3 y a3 x a1 z a1 y a2 x
(a1 a1 ) i ( a2 a2 ) j (a3 a3 )k
2(a1 i a2 j a3 k )
2a

Example 2.4 Show that u (2x 2 8 xy 2 z ) i (3 x 3 y 3 xy ) j (4 y 2 z 2 2 x 3 z )k is

not solenoidal, but v xyz 2 u is solenoidal.

u (2 x 2 8 xy 2 z ) (3 x 3 y 3 xy ) { (4 y 2 z 2 2 x 3 z )}
x y z
= (4x + 8y2z) + (3x3 x y2z + 2x3)
= x3 + x
x, y, z)
u is not solenoidal.
v xyz 2 u
(2 x 3 yz 2 8x2 y3 z3 ) i (3 x 4 y 2 z 2 3x 2 y 2 z 2 ) j (4 xy 3 z 4 2 x 4 yz 3 )k
v (6 x 2 yz 2 16 xy 3 z 3 ) (6 x 4 yz 2 6 x 2 yz 2 ) (16 xy 3 z 3 6 x 4 yz 2 )
= x, y, z)
v is solenoidal.

Example 2.5 Show that F (y 2 z 2 3 yz 2 x) i (3 xz 2 xy ) j (3 xy 2 xz

2z )k is both solenoidal and irrotational.
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.19

F (y 2 z2 3 yz 2 x) + (3 xz 2 xy ) + (3 xy 2 xz 2 z)
x y z
= x x+2
= x, y, z)
F is a solenoidal vector.

i j k

F
x y z
2 2
(y z 3 yz 2 x) (3 xz 2 xy ) (3 xy 2 xz 2z)
(3 x 3 x) i (3 y 2z 2z 3 y) j (3 z 2y 2y 3z ) k
= x, y, z)
:. F is an irrotational vector.

Example 2.6 Show that F (y 2 2 xz 2 ) i (2 xy z) j (2 x 2 z y 2 z ) k is

i j k

F
x y z
2 2 2
(y 2 xz ) (2 xy z ) (2 x z y 2z)
( 1 1) i (4 xz 4xxz ) j (2 y 2 y) k
= x, y, z)
F is irrotational.
F be .
F

i j k
x y z

y2 2 xz 2
x
x;
= xy2 + x2z2 x (1)

2 xy z
y
y;
= xy2 yz y (2)

2 x2 z y 2z
z
II – 2.20 Part II: Mathematics II

z;
= x2z2 yz + z2 + z (3)
From (1), (2), (3), we get = xy2 + x2z2 yz + z2 + c.

Example 2.7 Find the values of the constants a, b, c, so that F (axy b z3 ) i

(3 x 2 cz ) j (3 xz 2 y ) k may be irrotational. For these values of a, b, c,
F.
F is irrotational.
F 0

i j k
i.e. 0
x y z
(axy bz 3 ) (3 x 2 cz ) (3xz 2 y)

i.e. ( 1 c) i (3 z 2 3bz 2 ) j (6 x ax) k 0

c , 3z2 b) = 0, x a) = 0
a = 6, b= 1, c = 1.
Using these values of a, b, c,
F (6 xy z3 ) i (3 x 2 z) j (3 xz 2 y) k
Let F.

F i j k
x y z

6 xy z3 , 3x 2 z, 3 xz 2 y
x y z

= 3x2y + xz3 x (1)

= 3x2y yz y (2)

= xz3 yz + z (3)
From(l), (2) and (3), we get
= 3x2y + xz3 yz + c

Example 2.8 If and is irrota-

tional and (ii) is solenoidal.
= ( )+
=
=0
is irrotational
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.21

u v v curl u u curl v
)= curl ( curl ( )
= = 0.
( ) is solenoidal.

Example 2.9 If r = | r | , where r x, y, z),

2
1
that (rn ) = n(n + 1) rn and hence deduce that
r

(r n ) nr n 2
r.
2 n
Now (r ) ( r n)
(nr n 2
r)
n (r n 2
) r rn 2
( r)

n (n 2) r n 4
r r 3r n 2

[since r (xi yj zk )

(x) (y ) (z )
x y z
3]
2
(rn) = n [(n r 4
r2 + 3r 2]
= n (n+1) r 2

n=
2 1 3
( 1) (0) r 0
r
i.e. 1
r
Example 2.10 If u and v
2 2
(u v v u) = u v v u.
(u v v u) = (u v (v u)
2 2
=( u v+u v v u+v u)

2 2
=u v v u.

Example 2.11 If u and v F

such that uF v F curl F 0.
Given uF v
1
F v
u
II – 2.22 Part II: Mathematics II

1
F v
u
1 1
( v) v
u u
1
v , since v = 0.
u
1 1
Now F curl F v v
u u

1
(0) , [
u
= 0.
Example 2.12 If r = r , where r x, y, z) with
f (r )
f (r) r and
r
2 2
(ii) f (r ) f (r ) f (r ).
r
r2 = x2 + y2 + z2
r
2r 2x
x
r x r y r z
. Similarly, and .
x r y r z r

Now f (r ) i f (r )
x
r
f (r ) i
x
x
f (r ) i
r
f (r )
r
r
2
f (r ) f (r )
f (r )
r
r
f (r ) f (r )
r r
r r
r f (r ) f (r ) f (r )
2
(r ) r 3 r 3
r r
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.23

r f (r ) f (r ) 1 3 f (r )
r r
r2 r r
r x 1
(r ) i i r
x r r
r f (r ) f (r ) 1 2 3 f (r )
2
(r )
r r r
2
f (r ) f (r )
r

Example 2.13 Find f (r) if the vector f (r) r is both solenoidal and irrotational.
f (r) r is solenoidal
f (r ) r 0
i.e. f (r ) r f (r ) r 0
f (r )
i.e. r r 3 f (r ) 0
r
i.e. rf (r ) + 3f (r) = 0
f (r ) 3
i.e. 0
f (r ) r
Integrating both sides w.r.t. r,
log f (r) + 3 log r = log c
i.e. log r3 f (r) = log c
c
f (r ) (1)
f (r) r is also irrotational r3
f (r ) r 0
i.e. f (r ) r f (r ) r 0
i j k
i.e. f (r )
r r 0 0 r 0
r x y z
x y z

i.e. f (r )
(0) 0 0
r
This is true for all values of f (r) (2)
c
From (1) and (2), we get that f (r) r is both solenoidal and irrotational if f (r)
r3
Example 2.14 If is both solenoidal and

= 0, only when 2 = 0.
i.e, is solenoidal, only when 2 = 0 (1)
II – 2.24 Part II: Mathematics II

i.e. is irrotational always (2)

From (1) and (2),
2
is both solenoidal and irrotational, when = 0, i.e. when is a solution of

4
Example 2.15 If F is solenoidal, F F.
Since F is solenoidal, F 0 (1)

2 (2)
F ( F) F
2
F [by (1)]
2
F = curl curl ( F)
2
= ( F)
2 2 2
[ { F} ( F )] , by using (2)
2 4
[ { ( F )} F] , by interchanging the
2
and
= 4
F {by using (1)}

EXERCISE 2(b)

Part A
(Short Answer Questions)

2. F
F

7. If r x, y, z) r
and curl r .
8. If F 3 xyz 2 i 2 xy 3 j x 2 yz k , F
9. If F (x 2 yz ) i (y 2 2 zx) j (z 2 3 xy ) k F
10. If F (x y 1) i j (x y ) k , show that F F.
11. If F zi x j yk F 0.
12. Show that F (x 2 y ) i (y 3 z ) j (x 2 z )k is solenoidal.
13. Show that F (sin y z ) i (x cos y z ) j (x y )k is irrotational.
14. Find the value of , so that F y 4 z 2 i 4 x3 z 2 j 5 x 2 y 2 k may be sole-
noidal.
15. Find the value of , if F 2x 5 y i x y j 3 x z k is solenoidal.
 Chapter 2: Vector Calculus II – 2.25

3 2 2
16. Find the value of a, if F (a x y z ) i (a 2)x j (1 a)xz k is irro-
tational.
17. Find the values of a, b, c, so that the vector F (x y a z ) i
(bx 2 y z ) j ( x cy 2 z )k may be irrotational.
18. If and v (u v ) is solenoidal.
19. If 1 and 2 ( 1 2
( 2 1).
20. If

Part B
21. If u = x2yz and v = 3z2, ( u v) and ( u v) at the

22. Find the directional drivative of (

of the normal to the surface xy2 z = 3x + z2 , where = x2 y2 z2
23. If F 3 x 2 i 5 xy 2 j x y z 3 k , F , ( F ), F, ( F ) and
( F ) at the (1, 2, 3)
24. If is a constant vector and r is the vector of (x, y, z) w.r.t. the ori-
[(a r ) r ] a r .
F 3 yzi 2 zx j 4 xy k is not irrotational, but (x2 y z3) F is irro-
tational. Find also
26. Show that F (z 2 2 x 3 y) i (3 x 2y z) j (y 2 z x) k is irrotation-

27. Find the constants a, b, c, so that F (x 2 y az ) i (bx 3 y z) j

(4 x cy 2 z ) k may be irrotational. For these values of a, b, -

a, b, c, if F axyz 3 i bx 2 z 3 j
cx 2 yz 2 k is irrotational. For these values of a, b, c,

29. If r (x, y, z) w.r.t. the origin,

1 2 1 2
(i) r and (ii) r
r r r r3
n r
30. Find the value of n, if r is both solenoidal and irrotational, when
r xi y j zk .

2.4 LINE INTEGRAL OF VECTOR POINT FUNCTIONS

Q
Let F (x, y, z) F C
C be a curve in that P
region (Fig. 2.2). r+
r
P and Q on C be r and r r .Then PQ r If F
acts at P with PQ , Fig. 2.2