EE-8391 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY

TOPIC: Definitions, Problems, Coordinate systems-

Cartesian
 Summary of Day-2 Class

• Remember vector formulas

• Rectangular coordinate system
Line, Surface & volume integrals
 Definition of Divergence:
• The divergence (of a vector field) provides a measure
of how much "flux" (or flow) is passing through a
surface surrounding a point in the field 

It does not indicate in which direction the expansion

is occurring. Hence (in contrast to the curl of
a vector field), the divergence is a scalar.
 Solenoid
• The divergence of a vector field A whose divergence
if is expressed as ∇·A=0 , then A is called a
SOLENOIDAL FIELD.

• In vector calculus a solenoidal vector field (also

known as an incompressible vector field, a
divergence-free vector field, or a
transverse vector field) is a vector field v with
divergence zero at all points in the field.
 Definition of Curl
The curl of a vector field measures the tendency
for the vector field to swirl around.
 Irrotational Vs Rotational
• A vector field F is called irrotational if it satisfies
curl F = 0
• An irrotational vector field is a vector field where curl is equal
to zero everywhere.
• An irrotational field is a conservative field.
• A rotational field is one that is not irrotational, and is also
known as a nonconservative field.
 What is difference between curl and divergence?
• Note that the result of the divergence is a scalar function. We
can say that the divergence operation turns a vector field into
a scalar field.
• Note that the result of the curl is a vector field. We can say
that the curl operation turns a vector field into another vector
field.

DIVERGENCE CURL
scalar function vector function

Turns a vector field into a scalar field. Turns a vector field into another
vector field.
If divergence of vector is zero, it is If curl of vector is zero, it is called as
called as Solenoid Irrotational.
Problems
COORDINATE SYSTEM
Orthogonal coordinate systems