Advanced Engineering Mathematics, 7th Edition

9.7 Curl and Divergence

INTRODUCTION

In Section 9.1 we introduced the concept of vector function of one variable. In this section we examine vector functions of two and three variables.

Vector Fields

Vector functions of two and three variables,

are also called vector fields. For example, the motion of a wind or a fluid can be described by means of a velocity field because a vector can be assigned at each point representing the velocity of a particle at the point. See FIGURE 9.7.1(a) and 9.7.1(b). The concept of a force field plays an important ...