SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies

Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering

Unit V
Vector Calculus

Outcomes:
After completion of the course, students would be able to:
1. implement appropriate techniques of Differential and Integral Calculus to solve
problems.
2. analyse functions using the techniques of calculus.
3. apply the knowledge of Differential and Integral Calculus to solve real life problems.

Detailed Syllabus:
5.1 Gradient
5.2 Directional Derivative
5.3 Divergence, Curl, Scalar Potential
5.4 Harmonic function
5.5 LineIntegrals
5.6 Surface integrals
5.7 Greens Theorem
5.8 Stokes Theorem
5.9 Gauss Divergence Theorem
Gradient, Directional Derivative, total derivative
The gradient of a scalar field
, ,  s given by
  


= ∇
= ̂ + ̂ +  
, , 
  

The directional derivative of f in the direction of a unit vector  is ∇
. 

Curl and Divergence

The divergence of a vector field F is given by  = ∇.  = + +

 " $
! # %
A vector field F is solenoidal if ∇·F = 0 everywhere.

̂ ̂ 
The curl of a vector field F is given by

&'  = ∇ ×  = )/ / /)

+ , -

A vector field F is irrotational if ∇ ×  = 0 everywhere.

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 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering

Harmonic Functions

Any function of ,  which has continuous partial derivatives of the first and second order and

satisfies Laplace’s equation ∇, ∅ = !" + #" = 0 is called a Harmonic Function.

" ∅ " ∅

Line Integral
A line integral of a vector function F over a curve C is defined by  F .dr
C

Where F = f1 ( x, y, z ) i + f 2 ( x, y, z ) j + f3 ( x, y, z ) k and dr = dx i + dy j + dz k
Note:1. If F represents the variable force acting on a particle along arc AB, then total
B
work done =  F .dr
A

2. When the path of integration is closed curve then notation of integration is 

3. When r ( t ) is the parametric representation of the curve C the line integral is given by
b

 F ( r ).dr =  F ( r (t )).r′ ( t ) dt
C a

Surface Integral
A surface s = f ( u, v ) is called smooth if f ( u, v ) possess continuous first order partial
derivative.
Surface integral of a vector function F over the surface S is defined as the integral of
the components of F along the normal to the surface.
grad f dx dy
It is given by  F . nds
ˆ where nˆ = and ds =
S
grad f nˆ . kˆ ( )
dxdy
Note:  F . nds
S
ˆ =  F . nˆ
S ( nˆ. k )
Green’s Theorem
∂φ ∂ψ
If φ ( x, y ) ,ψ ( x, y ) ,
and be continuous functions over a region R bounded by simple
∂y ∂x
closed curve C in xy - plane, then

 ∂ψ ∂φ 
 (φ dx +ψ dy ) =   ∂x
C R
− dx dy
∂y 

Stoke’s Theorem

The circulation of F = Mi + Nj + Pk around the boundary C of the oriented surface S in the

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Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering

direction counter clockwise with respect to the surface’s unit normal vector n equals the integral
of ∇ × F • nˆ over S .

 F .dr =  ∇ × F • nˆ ds
C S

Note: If C is a curve in the xy plane, oriented counter clockwise and R is a region in the xy plane
∂N ∂M
bounded by C , then ds = dxdy and ( ∇ × F ) • nˆ = ( ∇ × F ) • k = − .
∂x ∂y

Gauss Divergence Theorem

The flux of a vector field F = Mi + Nj + Pk across a closed oriented surface S in the direction of
the surface’s outward unit normal vector n equals the integral of ∇ • F over the region D
enclosed by the surface:  F . nˆds =  ∇ • F dV .
S D

Note:  dV =  dxdydz

D D
5.1Problems on Gradient, directional derivatives, total derivative
3 3 r
1. Find grad f if f = e r Ans: grad f = 3 e r rr
r 1 r
2. Prove that ∇f ( r ) = f ' ( r ) and hence prove that ∇   = − 3 .
r r r
3
4
_
3. If ∇u = 2r r , find u. Ans: u =
(x 2
+ y2 + z2 )
+c
3

5.2Problems on Directional Derivatives

1. Find directional derivative of f = x y + y z + z x at (1, 2, 3) in the direction of
3i + 4 j + 5k . Ans: 46
5 2
2. In what direction from (3, 1,-2) is the directional derivative of ϕ = x 2 y 2 z 4 maximum?
r r r
And what is the magnitude of maximum change? (
Ans : 96i + 288 j − 288k , 96 19 )
3. Find the rate of change of φ = xyz in the direction normal to the surface
 9 
x 2 y + y 2 x + yz 2 = 3 at the point (1,1,1).  Ans : 
 29 
4. Captain Astro is drifting in space near the sunny side of Mercury and notices that the hull
of her ship is beginning to melt. The temperature in her vicinity is given by
T = e − x + e −2 y + e3 z , where x, y and z are measured in meters. If she is at (1,1,1) , in what
r r r
(
direction should she proceed in order to cool fastest? Ans : e −1i + 2e−2 j − 3e3 k )
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 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering

5.3 Problems on curl,divergence and scalar potential

__ __ __
( ) ( )
1. If f = 3 x 2 $i + ( 5 xy ) $j + xyz 3 k$ , find div f & curl f at (1, 2,3) .
__ __
ˆ ˆ ˆ
Ans: div f =65 & curl f =27i-54j+10k
__
( ) ( ) ( )
2. If F = x + 3 y 2 $i + 2 y + 2 z 2 $j + x 2 + az k$ is solenoidal. Find the value of a . Ans: a = −3
__
3. Prove that F = ( x + 2 y + az ) $i + ( bx − 3 y − z ) $j + ( 4 x + cy + 2 z ) k$ is solenoidal and determine
r
a, b and c such that F is irrotational. Ans: a = 4, b = 2, c = −1
__
r r r r r r r r
4. If F = 2 xzi$ + y 2 $j + yzk$ and r = xi + yj + zk find div F × r and curl F × r ( ) ( )
r r r
(
Ans : xz + 2 xy, ( 6 xz − 3 xy ) i + ( y 2 − 2 yz ) j + ( yz − 2 z 2 ) k )
__
( ) ( ) ( )
5. Show that F = x 2 − yz $i + y 2 − zx $j + z 2 − xy k$ is irrotational and hence find its scalar
x3 y 3 z 3
potential. Ans: φ = + + − xyz
3 3 3
__
( )
6. Prove that F = z 2 + 2 x + 3 y $i + ( 3 x + 2 y + z ) $j + ( y + 2 zx ) k$ is irrotational and find scalar

potential φ such that φ (1,1, 0) = 4 . Ans: φ = x 2 + y 2 + xz 2 + 3 xy + yz − 1

5.4 Problems on Harmonic Function

−y
1. Prove that u = x 2 − y 2 , v = 2 both u and v satisfy Laplace’s equation.
x + y2
2. Verify whether the following functions are harmonic or not
(i) xy Ans. Harmonic

(ii) e x sin y Ans. Harmonic

(iii) x2 + y 2 Ans. Not Harmonic

(iv) cos x sinh y Ans. Harmonic

(v) e y cosh x Ans. Not Harmonic

(vi) e −2 xy sin ( x 2 − y 2 ) Ans. Harmonic

3. Show that u = 2 xy + 3 y is harmonic function.

4. Show that u = cos x cosh y is a harmonic function.

2 3
5. If v = 3x y + 6 xy − y , Show that v is harmonic function.

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 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering

5.5 Problems on Line Integral

( )
1. Evaluate 2 xyiˆ − x 2 ˆj .dr along

i) the straight line from ( 0, 0 ) to ( 2,1)

ii) parabola x 2 = 4 y from ( 0, 0 ) to ( 2,1)

 F .dr where F = x iˆ + xy ˆj and C is the boundary of the square in the plane

2
2.Evaluate
C

a3
z = 0 and bounded by the lines x = 0, y = 0, x = a and y = a . Ans.
2
3.Find the work done when a force F = ( x 2 − y 2 + x ) iˆ − ( 2 xy + y ) ˆj moves a particle from
2
origin to (1,1) along a parabola y 2 = x . Ans.
3

5.6 Problems on Green’s Theorem

(x y dx + x 2 dy ) where C is the boundary described
2
1. Using Green’s theorem, evaluate
C

5
counter clockwise of the triangle with vertices ( 0, 0 ) , (1, 0 ) , (1,1) . Ans.
12
(x − 2 xy ) dx + ( x 2 y + 3) dy around the boundary C of
2
2. Using Green’s theorem, evaluate
C

the region y 2 = 8 x and x = 2 .

5.7 Problems on Stoke’s Theorem

1. Using Stoke’s theorem, calculate the circulation of the field F = x 2iˆ + 2 xjˆ + z 2 kˆ around
the curve C : the ellipse 4 x 2 + y 2 = 4 in the xy plane counter clockwise when viewed from
above. Ans: 4π .
2. Using Stoke’s theorem, calculate the circulation of the field F = yiˆ + xzjˆ + x kˆ around
2

the curve C : the boundary of triangle cut from the plane x + y + z = 1 by the first octant
−5
counter clockwise when viewed from above. Ans: .
6

5.8 Problems on Gauss Divergence’s Theorem

1. Use Gauss Divergence Theorem to find the outwards flux of
F = ( y − x ) iˆ + ( z − y ) ˆj + ( y − x ) kˆ across the boundary of the region D : the cube bounded
by the planes x = ±1, y = ±1 and z = ±1 . Ans: -16

2.Use Gauss Divergence Theorem to find the outwards flux of F = yiˆ + xyjˆ − zkˆ across the
boundary of the region D : the region inside the solid cylinder x 2 + y 2 ≤ 4 between the
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 SVKM’s NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Studies
Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering

plane z = 0 and the paraboloid z = x 2 + y 2 . Ans: −8π .

3. Use Gauss Divergence Theorem to find the outwards flux of F = x 2iˆ − 2 xyjˆ + 3 xzkˆ
across the boundary of the region D : the region cut from the first octant by the sphere
x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 4 . Ans: 3π .
Text Books:
1. B.V. Ramana (2017), “Higher Engineering Mathematics”, McGraw Hill Education,
1st Edition.
Ch 15: Vector Differential Calculus
Ch 16: Vector Integral Calculus
2. B.S. Grewal (2017), Higher Engineering Mathematics, Khanna Publishers, 44thEdition.
Ch 8: Vector Calculus

References:
1. Advanced Engineering Mathematics, 10th Edition, Erwin Kreyszig, Wiley India, 2017
2. Advanced Engineering Mathematics, 20th Edition, H. K. Dass, S. Chand & Company Ltd,
2012