Gradient, divergence & curl operators

Del operator (directional derivative):

Gradient of a scalar field

Divergence of a vector field

V 0

V = 0

Diverging fields have non-zero divergence,

Curl of a vector field

Fields with non-zero curl have rotational parts

V 0

but

.( V ) = 0.

Laplacian operator in Cartesian co-ordinates

where

is an eigenfunction of the operator

Some Identities

HW: Complete the proof!

Gradient Theorem
It is similar to the well known result:

Divergence Theorem
V

The amount of a vector field F coming out (or going into) a

volume V is equal to the flux of F emerging (or entering) the
volume through the surface enclosing the volume.

Curl (Stokes) Theorem

C

=
The curling of a vector field F in a area A is equal to the
line integral of the field through the boundary enclosing the
area A completely.