Divergence
- assignment Flux through a Paraboloid
assignment Homework
Flux through a Paraboloid
Static Fields 2021 (5 years)Find the upward pointing flux of the electric field \(\vec E =E_0\, z\, \hat z\) through the part of the surface \(z=-3 s^2 +12\) (cylindrical coordinates) that sits above the \((x, y)\)--plane.
- group Visualization of Divergence
group Small Group Activity
30 min.
Visualization of Divergence
Vector Calculus II 23 (9 years) Students predict from graphs of simple 2-d vector fields whether the divergence is positive, negative, or zero in various regions of the domain using the definition of the divergence of a vector field at a point: The divergence of a vector field at a point is flux per unit volume through an infinitesimal box surrounding that point. Optionally, students can use a Mathematica notebook to verify their predictions. - assignment Divergence through a Prism
assignment Homework
Divergence through a Prism
Static Fields 2023 (6 years)Consider the vector field \(\vec F=(x+2)\hat{x} +(z+2)\hat{z}\).
- Calculate the divergence of \(\vec F\).
- In which direction does the vector field \(\vec F\) point on the plane \(z=x\)? What is the value of \(\vec F\cdot \hat n\) on this plane where \(\hat n\) is the unit normal to the plane?
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Verify the divergence theorem for this vector field where the volume
involved is drawn below. (“Verify” means calculate both sides of the divergence theorem, separately, for this example and show that they are the same.)
- assignment Gravitational Field and Mass
assignment Homework
Gravitational Field and Mass
Static Fields 2023 (5 years)The gravitational field due to a spherical shell of matter (or equivalently, the electric field due to a spherical shell of charge) is given by: \begin{equation} \vec g = \begin{cases} 0&\textrm{for } r<a\\ -G \,\frac{M}{b^3-a^3}\, \left( r-\frac{a^3}{r^2}\right)\, \hat r & \textrm{for } a<r<b\\ -G\,\frac{M}{r^2}\, \hat r & \textrm{for } r>b \\ \end{cases} \end{equation}
This problem explores the consequences of the divergence theorem for this shell.
- Using the given description of the gravitational field, find the divergence of the gravitational field everywhere in space. You will need to divide this question up into three parts: \(r<a\), \(a<r<b\), and \(r>b\).
- Briefly discuss the physical meaning of the divergence in this particular example.
- For this gravitational field, verify the divergence theorem on a sphere, concentric with the shell, with radius \(Q\), where \(a<Q<b\). ("Verify" the divergence theorem means calculate the integrals from both sides of the divergence theorem and show that they give the same answer.)
- Briefly discuss how this example would change if you were discussing the electric field of a uniformly charged spherical shell.
- assignment Electric Field and Charge
assignment Homework
Electric Field and Charge
divergence charge density Maxwell's equations electric field Static Fields 2023 (4 years) Consider the electric field \begin{equation} \vec E(r,\theta,\phi) = \begin{cases} 0&\textrm{for } r<a\\ \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \,\frac{Q}{b^3-a^3}\, \left( r-\frac{a^3}{r^2}\right)\, \hat r & \textrm{for } a<r<b\\ 0 & \textrm{for } r>b \\ \end{cases} \end{equation}- Use step and/or delta functions to write this electric field as a single expression valid everywhere in space.
- Find a formula for the charge density that creates this electric field.
- Interpret your formula for the charge density, i.e. explain briefly in words where the charge is.
- assignment Gauss's Law for a Rod inside a Cube
assignment Homework
Gauss's Law for a Rod inside a Cube
Static Fields 2023 (4 years) Consider a thin charged rod of length \(L\) standing along the \(z\)-axis with the bottom end on the \(x,y\)-plane. The charge density \(\lambda_0\) is constant. Find the total flux of the electric field through a closed cubical surface with sides of length \(3L\) centered at the origin. - assignment Curl
assignment Homework
Curl
Static Fields 2023 (6 years)
Shown above is a two-dimensional cross-section of a vector field. All the parallel cross-sections of this field look exactly the same. Determine the direction of the curl at points A, B, and C.
- assignment Divergence Practice including Curvilinear Coordinates
assignment Homework
Divergence Practice including Curvilinear Coordinates
Calculate the divergence of each of the following vector fields. You may look up the formulas for divergence in curvilinear coordinates.
- \begin{equation} \hat{F}=z^2\,\hat{x} + x^2 \,\hat{y} -y^2 \,\hat{z} \end{equation}
- \begin{equation} \hat{G} = e^{-x} \,\hat{x} + e^{-y} \,\hat{y} +e^{-z} \,\hat{z} \end{equation}
- \begin{equation} \hat{H} = yz\,\hat{x} + zx\,\hat{y} + xy\,\hat{z} \end{equation}
- \begin{equation} \hat{I} = x^2\,\hat{x} + z^2\,\hat{y} + y^2\,\hat{z} \end{equation}
- \begin{equation} \hat{J} = xy\,\hat{x} + xz\,\hat{y} + yz\,\hat{z} \end{equation}
- \begin{equation} \hat{K} = s^2\,\hat{s} \end{equation}
- \begin{equation} \hat{L} = r^3\,\hat{\phi} \end{equation}
- group Vector Surface and Volume Elements
group Small Group Activity
30 min.
Vector Surface and Volume Elements
Static Fields 2023 (4 years)Students use known algebraic expressions for vector line elements \(d\vec{r}\) to determine all simple vector area \(d\vec{A}\) and volume elements \(d\tau\) in cylindrical and spherical coordinates.
This activity is identical to Scalar Surface and Volume Elements except uses a vector approach to find directed surface and volume elements.
- group Acting Out Flux
group Small Group Activity
5 min.
Acting Out Flux
Static Fields 2023 (4 years) Students hold rulers and meter sticks to represent a vector field. The instructor holds a hula hoop to represent a small area element. Students are asked to describe the flux of the vector field through the area element. -
Static Fields 2023 (6 years)
Shown above is a two-dimensional vector field.
Determine whether the divergence at point A and at point C is positive, negative, or zero.
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Media & Figures