Curl of a Vector

Presented by:
TANVEER UL ISLAM
MS-PE-510081
Curl of a vector:
• Curl is a vector operator that describes the infinitesimal rotation
of a vector field in three dimensions.
• Magnitude of curl is the magnitude of rotation.
• Direction of curl is along the axis of rotation.
• It measures microscopic circulation.
Mathematically:

• Curl of a vector F [Fx, Fy, Fz] is represented as:

∇×F =
Direction of Curl Vector:
• RIGHT-HAND RULE: Curl the
fingers of your right hand in the
direction of rotation, and stick out
your thumb. The vector representing
this three-dimensional rotation is, by
definition, oriented in the direction
of your thumb.
Irrotational flow:

• For an irrotational flow, curl of a vector is zero. i.e.

=0
Examples:

• Hurricanes:
Continued…

• Rotation of paddle wheel

in water pool
Continued…

• Magnetic field ( B ) from straight wire

∇ × B = µ0 J
Continued…

• Ferris Wheel
• Irrotational flow of Ferris
wheel seats
Continued…

• Rotation of Earth
• Rotation of rigid Spherical body
• Rotation of particles in fluid flow