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

(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 )

curl F =
x
F1

y
F2

z
F3

F
F F F F F
= i 3 2 j 3 1 + k 2 1
z
x z
x y
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 )
y
z
x

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

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
y
z x
y
z
x

= f g

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

grad ( fg ) = fgradg + ggradf

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

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

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

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

f
Solution: =
g

g
f
f
g

= i x 2 x
g

1
f
g
= 2 g i
fi

g
x
x
1
= 2 [gf fg ]
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
y
z
x
r n r n r n

= i
+ j
+k
y
z
x

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

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

= i nr n 1

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 )
y
z
x

( )

= 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 )
y
z
x

) (

) (

= 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

Cos =

1.2
=
1 2

2 1
1
=
4 +1 4 +1+1
5 6

5 6

= cos 1

( )
Solution: (r ) = .(r )

= i (r ) + j (r ) + k (r )
x
y
z
9. Find 2 r n
2

= i nr n 1

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

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 r
x
r
r y
2r
= 2y
=
y r
y
r
r z
=
2r = 2 z
z r
z
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
y
z

x
=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)
y
z

x
Now r 2 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2
Differentiating partially w.r.to x,

( )

( )

( )

r
r x
= 2x
=
x
x r
r
r y
Similarly,
2r
= 2y
=
y
y r
r
r z
2r = 2 z
=
z
z r
n

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

n
(r z ) = nr n 2 z 2 + r n
z
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 )

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

i nr

i (nr

n 1

n2

y
z
z nr n 1 y
r
r

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:

curl F =
x

2
y cos x + z 3

j
k

y
z
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

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

= 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
+
i

= i
A + i
B
x
x


B
i A . B
.
A
+
= i

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

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

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

(3t
1

( )

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

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

1

= 3t 34t 7 + 6t10 0
= [(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

Now F =
x
x2

y
y2

= 0 i + 0 j+ 0 k = 0
z
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

surface integral of f is defined to be

f . nds =
S

f .n

dx.dy

n. k

Example 1;
Evaluate

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

and
z = 2.
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

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

INTEGRAL THEOREMS
Gausss divergence theorem
Stokes theorem
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

Solution: Greens theorem gives
N M
c Mdx + Ndy = R x y
2

Consider

dxdy

(x 2 y )dx + xdy
c

M = x 2y
N=x
M
N
= 2,
=1
y
x
N M
dxdy

x
y
R
(1 + 2)dxdy = 3 dxdy
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
Mdx + Ndy =

( 2 cos sin + 4 sin

+ 4)d

1 cos 2
+ 4 d
2

sin 2 + 4
0

( sin 2 + 6 2 cos 2 )d
0
2

2 sin 2
cos 2
=
+ 6
2 0
2
1
1
= + 12 = 12 .(2)
2
2
From (1) and (2)

Mdx + Ndy = x
c

M
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
1
=
2

(r

cos 2 + r 2 sin 2 d

0
2

Example 3:
Evaluate

1 2
r d
2 0

1 2 2
r [ ]0 = r 2
2

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

c

,0) and ( ,1)

2
2
y0 x0
Solution: Equation of OB is
=
1 0
0
2
2x
y=

vertices (0,0) ,(

By Greens theorem

Mdx + Ndy = x
c

M
y

dxdy

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

In the region R, x varies from x =

y
2

to

and y varies from y = 0 to y = 1

1 2

(sin x y )dx cos xdy =

(sin x + 1)dxdy
0 y
2

2
y
2

[ cos x + x]

dy

y y
= cos + dy
2 2 2
0
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
2
2
3x 8 y dx + (4 y 6 xy )dy where C is the boundary of the region defined

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

M
y

dxdy

R
2
2
M = 3x 8 y , N = 4 y 6 xy
M
N
= 16 y,
= 6 y
y
x

Mdx + Ndy = x
c

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
= 10
2 0
0
1

= 5 (1 x ) dx
2

(1 x )3
5
= 5
=
3 0 3
Consider Mdx + Ndy = + +
1

OA

AB

BO

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

[ ]

Mdx + Ndy = 3 x 2 dx = x 3
OA

1
0

=1

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

AB

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

+ 3x 2 2 x 3
3
2
3
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

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

i
j

curl F =
x
y
2 x y yz 2

z
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

= (1) 2 = .(1)

ON z = 0,

F .d r = curl F . n ds
c

On C, x = cos , y = sin
dx = sin d , dy = cos d
varies from 0 to 2

F .d r =

(2 cos sin )( sin )d

0

2
(2 cos sin )d + sin d
0

1 cos 2
d
2

(sin 2 )d +
0

1
sin 2
cos 2
+
=

2
2 0
2 0
1 1
= + + = (2)
2 2

From (1) and (2)

F .d r = curl F . n ds
c

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

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

curl F =
x
yz+2

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

= y i + j [z 1] k

j
k

y
z
yz + 4 xz

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

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

Evaluate

x dydz + x
3

= h, x 2 + y 2 = a 2
Solution:

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

cos

d =

3a 4
S F . n ds = 2

3 1 3
=
4 2 2 16