DEL OPERATOR

• Scalar vs Vector Fields

• The Del Operator ∇
• Gradient of a Scalar Field ∇𝑉
Scalar Field vs Vector Field
Scalar Field vs Vector Field (3D)
Gradient of a Scalar Field
• Start with a scalar field 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 .
Gradient of a Scalar Field
• Plot the gradient ∇𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 on top of 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 . The
background color is the original scalar field 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 .
.
Gradient of a Scalar Field
• Gradient is the rate at which a physical quantity increases or
decreases in proportion to changes in a given variable.
• The gradient will always be perpendicular to the isocontour
lines.
Gradient
the rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases in
• Gradient (slope) of a scalar field. proportion to changes in a given variable.

Lines of pressure (isobars)

Gradient is large (steep) where lines are close (fast change of
pressure)
Properties of the Gradient
• The gradient of a scalar function is a vector function.
• The magnitude of ∇ V is the local maximum rate of change in V.
• ∇ V points in the direction of maximum rate of change in V.
• ∇ V at any point is perpendicular to the constant V surface that passes through
that point.
• ∇ V points toward increasing numbers in V.
The Del Operator 
• The del operator  is the vector differential operator. It is sort of a 3D
derivative.
The Gradient ∇𝑉
• The gradient calculates how rapidly, and in what direction, a scalar
function is increasing.
• The gradient of a scalar field V is a vector that represents both the
magnitude and the direction of the maximum space rate of increase of V.
EXAMPLE

Find the gradient of these scalars:

z
(a) V  e sin 2 x cosh y
2
(b) U   z cos 2
2
(c)
W  10r sin  cos 
 SOLUTION TO EXAMPLE

(a) Use gradient for Cartesian coordinate:

V V V
V  ax  ay  az
x y z
 2e  z cos 2 x cosh ya x  e  z sin 2 x sinh ya y
 e  z sin 2 x cosh ya z
SOLUTION TO EXAMPLE (Cont’d)

(b) Use gradient for Circular cylindrical

coordinate:

U 1 U U
U  a  a  az
   z
 2 z cos 2a   2 z sin 2a
2
  cos 2a z
SOLUTION TO EXAMPLE (Cont’d)

(c) Use gradient for Spherical coordinate:

W 1 W 1 W
W  ar  a  a
r r  r sin  
 10 sin 2  cos a r  10 sin 2 cos a
 10 sin  sin a
Determine the gradient of the following scalar fields:

(a) y + xyz
(b)
(c)
Answer:

(a)
(b)
(c) -