UNIT-II

VECTOR CALCULUS
Directional derivative
The derivative of a point function (scalar or vector) in a particular
direction is called its directional derivative along the direction.
The directional derivative of a scalar point function in a given
direction is the rate of change of in the direction. It is given by the
component of grad in that direction.
The directional derivative of a scalar point function

. a
(x,y,z) in the direction of a is given by
.
a

Directional derivative of is maximum in the direction of .

Hence the maximum directional derivative is or grad
Unit normal vector to the surface
If (x, y, z) be a scalar function, then (x, y, z) = c represents
A surface and the unit normal vector to the surface is given by

Equation of the tangent plane and normal to the surface

Suppose a is the position vector of the point ( x0 , y0 , z0 )

On the surface (x, y, z) = c. If r = x i + y j + z k is the position vector of

any point (x,y,z) on the tangent plane to the surface at a , then the

equation of the tangent plane to the surface at a given point a on it is

given by r a .grad = 0


If r is the position vector of any point on the normal to the surface

at the point a on it. The vector equation of the normal at a given point


a on the surface is r a grad = 0

The Cartesian form of the normal at ( x0 , y0 , z0 ) on the surface

(x,y,z) = c is
x x0 y yo z z0
= =

x y z

Divergence of a vector

If F ( x, y, z ) is a continuously differentiable vector point function in

a given region of space, then the divergences of F is defined by

F F F

. F = div F = i + j +k
x y z

F

= i
x

If F = F1 i + F2 j + F3 k ,then div F = .( F1 i + F2 j + F3 k )
F F F
i.e., div F = 1 + 2 + 3
x y z

Solenoidal Vector

A vector F is said to be solenoidal if div F = 0 (ie) . F = 0

Curl of vector function

If F ( x, y, z ) is a differentiable vector point function defined at each

point (x, y, z), then the curl of F is defined by

curl F = F

F F F
= i + j + k
x y z

F

= i
x

If F = F1 i + F2 j + F3 k ,then curl F = ( F1 i + F2 j + F3 k )

i j k


curl F =
x y z
F1 F2 F3
F F F F F F
= i 3 2 j 3 1 + k 2 1
y z x z x y

Curl F is also said to be rotation F

Irrotational Vector

A vector F is called irrotational if Curl F = 0

(ie) if F = 0
Scalar Potential

If F is an irrotational vector, then there exists a scalar function

Such that F = . Such a scalar function is called scalar potential of F

Properties of Gradient

1. If f and g are two scalar point function that ( f g ) = f g (or)

grad ( f g ) = gradf gradg

Solution: ( f g ) = i + j + k ( f g )
x y z

= i ( f g ) + j ( f g ) + k ( f g )
x y z

f g f g f g
= i i + j j +k k
x x y y z z

f f f g g g
= i + j + k i + j +k
x y z x y z

= f g

2. If f and g are two scalar point functions then ( fg ) = fg + gf (or)

grad ( fg ) = fgradg + ggradf

Solution: ( fg ) = i + j + k ( fg )
x y z

= i ( fg ) + j ( fg ) + k ( fg )
x y z

g f g f g f
= i f + g + j f + g + k f +g
x x y y z z
g g g f f f
= f i + j +k + g i + j + k
x y z x y z
= fg + gf

f gf fg
3. If f and g are two scalar point function then = where
g g2
g0
f f
Solution: = i + j + k
g x y z g
f
= i
x g
f g
g
f
= i x 2 x
g


1
f
g
= 2 g i fi
g x x
= 2 [gf fg ]
1
g

4. If r = x i + y j + z k such that r = r ,prove that r n = nr n 2 r

n
Solution: r n = i + j + k r
x y z
r n r n r n
= i + j +k
x y z

r n 1 r n 1 r
= i nr n 1 + j nr + k nr
x y z

x y z
= nr n 1 i + j + k
r r r
nr n 1
= x i + y j+ z k
r
nr n 1
= r
r

5. Find a unit normal to the surface x 2 y + 2 xz = 4 at (2,-2, 3)

Solution: Given that = x 2 y + 2 xz

2
= i + j + k ( x y + 2 xz )
x y z

( )

= i (2 xy + 2 z ) + j x 2 + k (2 x )
At (2,-2, 3)

= i ( 8 + 6) + j (4) + k (4)

= 2 i + 4 j+ 4k

= 4 + 16 + 16 = 36 = 6
Unit normal to the given surface at (2,-2,3)


2 i + 4 j + 4 k
=
6
1
= i + 2 j+ 2 k
3

6. Find the directional derivative of = x 2 yz + 4 xz 2 + xyz at (1,2,3) in the

direction of 2 i + j k
Solution: Given = x 2 yz + 4 xz 2 + xyz

2
= i + j + k ( x yz + 4 xz 2 + xyz )
x y z

( ) ( ) ( )

= 2 xyz + 4 z 2 + yz i + x 2 z + xz j + x 2 y + 8 xz + xy k
At (1, 2, 3)

= 54 i + 6 j + 28 k

Given: a = 2 i + j k

a = 4 +1+1 = 6

a
D.D = .
a

2 i + 2 j k

= 54 i + 6 j + 28 k .
6
=
1
[108 + 6 28] = 1 [86]
6 6

7. Find the angle between the surface x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = 5 and

x 2 + y 2 + z 2 2 x = 5 at (0,1,2)
Solution: Let 1 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 and 2 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 2 x
1
= 2 x, 1 = 2 y , 1 = 2 z
x y z
2
= 2 x 2, 2 = 2 y, 2 = 2 z
x y z

1 = 2 x i + 2 y j + 2 z k

2 = (2 x 2) i + 2 y j + 2 z k
At (o,1,2)

1 = 2 j + 4 k

2 = 2 i + 2 j + 4 k

2 j + 4 k . 2 i + 2 j + 4 k
1.2
Cos = =
1 2 16 + 4 4 + 4 + 6
4 + 16 20
cos = =
20 24 20 24
20
= cos 1
20 24
20
= cos 1

24

8. Find the angle between the surfaces x log z = y 2 1 and x 2 y = 2 z at the

point (1,1,1)
Solution: let 1 = y 2 x log z and 2 = x 2 y + z
1 x
= log z , 1 = 2 y, 1 =
x y z z
2
= 2 xy, 2 = x 2 , 2 = 1
x y z

k
1 = ( log z ) i + 2 y j k
z

2 = 2 j k
 1.2 2 1 1
Cos = = =
1 2 4 +1 4 +1+1 5 6
1
= cos 1
5 6

( )
9. Find 2 r n
Solution: (r ) = .(r )
2 n n

= i (r ) + j (r ) + k (r )

n n n

x y z

r n 1 r n 1 r
= i nr n 1 + j nr + k nr
x y z

r = x i + y j+ z k

r = r = x2 + y 2 + z 2

r 2 = x2 + y 2 + z 2
r r x
2r = 2 x =
x x r
r r y
2r = 2y =
y y r
r r z
2r = 2 z =
z z r
( ) x y z
2 r n = nr n 1 i + j + k
r r r

= nr n 2 x i + y j + z k

n2

= nr r



Since u = . u + div u

( )


2 r n = nr n 2 r

( )


= nr n 2 . r + nr n 2 . r


. r = i + j + k x i + y j + z k
x y z
=1+1+1 = 3

( ) ( )

2 r n = 3nr n 2 + n r n 2 . r
= 3nr n 2 + n(n 2) r n 4 .r 2( )
= 3nr n 2 + n(n 2) r n 2 ( )
( ) [ ]
2 r n = r n 2 n 2 + n = n(n + 1)r n 2

10. If r = x i + y j + z k and r = r .Prove that r n r is solenoidal if n = 3 and

r n r is irrotational for all vectors of n.

Solution: r n r = r n x i + r n y j + r n k
n n n
div r n r = ( )
r x + r y + ( ) ( )
r z (1)
x y z
Now r 2 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2
Differentiating partially w.r.to x,

r r x
2r = 2x =
x x r
r r y
Similarly, 2r = 2y =
y y r
r r z
2r = 2 z =
z z r
n r
Now
x
(r x ) = x (r n ). + r n
r x
x
= x.n r n 1 + r n
r
n
y
( r y ) = nr n 2 y 2 + r n

n
z
(r z ) = nr n 2 z 2 + r n
From (1) we have
div r n r = nr n 2 (x 2 + y 2 + z 2 ) + 3r n


= nr n + 3r n
= (n + 3)r n


The vector r n r is solenoidal if div r n r = 0

(n + 3)r n = 0
n+3=0
n = 3

r n r is solenoidal only if n = -3

i j k


Now curl r n r =
x y z
rnx rn y rnz

i y (r z ) z (r y )

n
n
=

r r
= i nr n 1 z nr n 1 y
y z

y z
= i nr n 1

r
z nr n 1 y
r

i (nr )

n2
= yz nr n 2 yz
=0

Curl ( r n r ) = 0 i + 0 j + 0 k =0

Curl ( r n r ) = 0 for all values of n

Hence r n r is irrotational for all values of n.

( )

11. Prove that F = y 2 cos x + z 3 i + (2 y sin x 4) j + 3xz 2 k is irrotational and
find its scalar potential
Solution:

i j k


curl F =
x y z
y cos x + z 3
2
2 y sin x 4 3xz 2

[ ]

= i [0 0] j 3z 2 3 z 2 + k [2 y cos x 2 y cos x ] = 0

F is irrotational.

To Find such that F = grad

( y 2 cos x + z 2 ) i + (2 y sin x 4 ) j + 3xz 2 k = i

+ j +k
x y z
Integrating the equation partially w.r.to x,y,z respectively
= y 2 sin x + xz 3 + f1 ( y, z )
= y 2 sin x 4 y + f 2 ( x, z )
= xz 3 + f3 ( x, y )
= y 2 sin x + xz 3 4 y + C , is scalar potential

12. Prove that div A B = B .(curl A) A.(curl B)



Proof : div A B = .( A B)



= i A B
x

B A

= i A

x
+ i
x
B


B A
= i A + i B
x x


B i A . B
= i . A +
x x



= curl B . A+ curl A . B

13.Prove that curl curl F = F 2 F

Solution:

curl curl F = F



By using a b c = a . c b a . b c



= . F (. ) F


= . F 2 F

VECTOR INTEGRATION
Line, surface and Volume Integrals

Problems based on line Integral

Example 1:
( )

If F = 3x 2 + 6 y i 14 yz j + 20 xz 2 k Evaluate F .dr from (0,0,0) to
C

(1,1,1) along the curve x = t , y = t , z = t 2 3

Solution: The end points are (0, 0, 0) and (1, 1, 1)

These points correspond to t = 0 and t = 1
dx = dt , dy = 2t , dz = 3t 2

( )

F .dr = 3x + 6 y dx 14 yzdy + 20 xz dz
2 2

C C

(3t ) ( )
1
= 2
+ 6t 2 dt 14t 5 (2tdt ) + 20t 7 3t 2 dt
0

= (9t 2 28t 6 + 60t 9 )dt

1

(
= 3t 34t 7 + 6t10 0 )
1

= [(3 4 + 6 ) 0] = 5

Example 2:

Show that F = x 2 i + y 2 j + z 2 k is a conservative vector field.

Solution: If F is conservative then F = 0

i j k

Now F = = 0 i + 0 j+ 0 k = 0
x y z
x2 y2 z2

F is a conservative vector field.

Surface Integrals
Definition: Consider a surface S. Let n denote the unit outward normal to the

surface S. Let R be the projection of the surface x on the XY plane. Let f be
a vector valued defined in some region containing the surface S. Then the

f .n
surface integral of f is defined to be f . nds =
S R


dx.dy
n. k

Example 1;

Evaluate
S
f . nds where F = z i + x j y 2 z k and S is the surface of

the cylinder x + y 2 = 1 included in the first octant between the planes z = 0

2

and z = 2.

Solution: Given F = z i + x j y 2 z k

= x2 + y2 1

= 2 x i + 2 y j
= 4 x 2 + 4 y 2
=2 x 2 + y 2
=2

The unit normal n to the surface =

2 xi + 2 yj
= = xi + yj
2



F . n = z i + x j y 2 z k . x i + y j = xz + xy

 INTEGRAL THEOREMS
(i) Gausss divergence theorem
(ii) Stokes theorem
(iii) Greens theorem in the plane

Greens Theorem
Statement:
If M(x,y) and N(x,y) are continuous functions with continuous
partial derivatives in a region R of the xy plane bounded by a simple closed
curve C, then
N M
c Mdx + ndy = R x y dxdy , where C is the curve described in the
positive direction.
 Verify Greens theorem in a plane for the integral (x 2 y )dx + xdy
c

taken around the circle x + y = 4

2 2

Solution: Greens theorem gives

N M
c Mdx + Ndy = R x y dxdy

Consider (x 2 y )dx + xdy
c

M = x 2y N=x
M N
= 2, =1
y x
N M
dxdy
R
x y
(1 + 2)dxdy = 3 dxdy
R R

= 3[Area of the circle]

= 3 r 2
=3. .4
= 12 (1)
Now Mdx + Ndy
We know that the parametric equation of the circle x 2 + y 2 = 4
x = 2 cos y = 2 sin
dx = 2 sin d , dy = 2 cos d
Mdx + Ndy = ( x 2 x )dx + xdy
= (2 cos 4 sin )( 2 sin d ) + 2 cos (2 cos )d
= 2 cos sin + 8 sin 2 + 4 cos 2 d
Where various from 0 to 2
2
Mdx + Ndy = ( 2 cos sin + 4 sin + 4)d
2

C 0
2
1 cos 2
= sin 2 + 4
0
2
+ 4 d

2
= ( sin 2 + 6 2 cos 2 )d
0
2
cos 2 2 sin 2
= + 6
2 2 0
1 1
= + 12 = 12 .(2)
2 2
From (1) and (2)
 N M
Mdx + Ndy = x
c R

y
dxdy

Hence Greens Theorem is verified.

Example 2
Using Greens theorems find the area of a circle of radius r.
Solution: By Greens theorem we know that
1
Area enclosed by C = xdy ydx
2C
The parametric equation of a circle of radius r is x = r cos , y = r sin
Where 0 2
2
1
Area of the circle = r cos (r cos ) r sin ( r sin )d
2 0
2

(r )
1
= 2
cos 2 + r 2 sin 2 d
2 0
2
1 2
r d
2 0
=

r [ ]0 = r 2
1 2 2
=
2

Example 3:
Evaluate [(sin x y )dx cos xdy] where c is the triangle with
c

vertices (0,0) ,(,0) and ( ,1)
2 2
y0 x0
Solution: Equation of OB is =
1 0
0
2
2x
y=

 N M
By Greens theorem Mdx + Ndy = x
c R

y
dxdy

M
Here M = sin x y, = 1
y
N
N = cos x, = sin x
x
[(sin x y )dx cos xdy ] = (sin x + 1)dxdy
C R

y
In the region R, x varies from x = to and y varies from y = 0 to y = 1
2 2

1 2
(sin x y )dx cos xdy = (sin x + 1)dxdy
C 0 y
2
1
= [ cos x + x]
0
2
y dy
2

y y
1
= cos + dy
0
2 2 2
1
2 y y 2
= sin + y
2 2 4 0
2 2
= + = +
2 4 2

Example 4
Verify Greens theorem in the plane for
( )
3x 8 y dx + (4 y 6 xy )dy where C is the boundary of the region defined
2 2

by
X = 0 , y= 0, x + y =1
Solution: We have to prove that
 N M

Mdx + Ndy = x
c R
dxdy
y

M = 3x 8 y , N = 4 y 6 xy
2 2

M N
= 16 y, = 6 y
y x

By Greens theorem in the plane

N M
c Mdx + Ndy = R x y dxdy

1 1 x
= (10 y )dydx
0 0
1 x
y2
1
= 10
0
2 0
1
= 5 (1 x ) dx
2

(1 x )3
1
5
= 5 =
3 0 3
Consider Mdx + Ndy = + +
c OA AB BO

Along OA, y=0 , x varies from 0 to 1

[ ]
1
1
Mdx + Ndy = 3 x 2 dx = x 3 0 =1
OA 0

Along AB, y = 1 - x dy = dx and x varies from 1 to 0 .

[ ]
0
Mdx + Ndy = 3x 2 8(1 x ) 4(1 x ) + 6 x(1 x ) dx
2

AB 1

3x 2 8(1 x )3 4(1 x )2
0

= + 3x 2 2 x 3
3 3 2 1
8 8
= + 2 1 3 + 2 =
3 3

STOKES THEOREM
 If S is an open surface bounded by a simple closed curve C and if a vector

function F is continuous and has continuous partial derivatives in S and on

C, then curl F . n ds = F .d r where n is the unit vector normal to the
c

surface (ie) The surface integral of the normal component of curl F is equal

to the integral of the tangential component of F taken around C.

Example 1

Verify Stokes theorem for F = (2 x y ) i yz 2 j y 2 z k where S is the upper
half of the sphere x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = 1 and C is the circular boundary on z = 0
plane.

Solution: By Stokes theorem F .d r = curl F . n ds
c s

F = (2 x y ) i yz 2 j y 2 z k

i j k

curl F =
x y z
2 x y yz 2 y2z

= i [ 2 yz + 2 yz ] j (0 0 ) + k (0 + 1) = k

Here n = k since C is the circular boundary on z = 0 plane

= area of the circle curl F . n ds = dxdy
S S

= (1) 2 = .(1)

ON z = 0, F .d r = curl F . n ds
c s

On C, x = cos , y = sin
dx = sin d , dy = cos d
varies from 0 to 2
 2
F .d r =
c
(2 cos sin )( sin )d
0
2 2
= (2 cos sin )d + sin d
2

0 0
2 2
1 cos 2
= (sin 2 )d +
0 0
2
d

2 2
cos 2 1 sin 2
= +
2 0 2 2 0
1 1
= + + = (2)
2 2

From (1) and (2)

F .d r = curl F . n ds
c s

Hence stokes theorem is verified

Example 2

Verify stokes theorem for F = ( y z + 2) i + ( yz + 4 ) j xz k where s is
the surface of the cube x = 0, x = 2, y = 0, y = 2, z = 0 and z = 2 above the xy
plane.
Solution:
By Stokes theorem

F .d r = curl F . n ds
c s

i j k

Given F = ( y z + 2) i + ( yz + 4 ) j xz k curl F =
x y z
yz+2 yz + 4 xz

= i [0 y ] j [ z + 1] + k [0 1]

= y i + j [z 1] k
 Hence Stokes theorem is verified.
Example 3:

Verify Stokes theorem for F = y i + z j + x k where S is the upper half
surface of the sphere x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = 1 and C is its boundary.
Solution: By stokes theorem


F .d r = curl F . n ds
c s

Gauss Divergence theorem

Statement:
The surface integral of the normal component of a vector
function F over a closed surface S enclosing volume V is equal to the volume
integral of the divergence of F taken throughout the volume V ,

F . n ds = . Fdv
S V

x dydz + x ydzdx + x 2 zdxdy over the surface bounded by z = 0 ,z

3 2
Evaluate
= h, x 2 + y 2 = a 2
Solution:

2
3 1 3
cos
4
d = =
0
4 2 2 16

3a 4
S F . n ds = 2