Vector Fields

MATH 311, Calculus III

J. Robert Buchanan
Department of Mathematics

Fall 2011

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Background

We have already discussed vector-valued functions which are functions of the form r : R V2 (or r : R V3 ). They are useful for describing a path in 2- or 3-dimensional space. Vector eld functions are functions of the form F : R2 V2 (or F : R3 V3 ) which are useful for describing ows of uids in 2- or 3-dimensional space.

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Denition
Denition A vector eld in the plane is a function F(x, y ) mapping points in R2 into the set of two-dimensional vectors V2 . We write F(x, y ) = f1 (x, y ), f2 (x, y ) = f1 (x, y )i + f2 (x, y )j, for scalar functions f1 (x, y ) and f2 (x, y ). In space, a vector eld is a function F(x, y , z) mapping points in R3 into the set of three-dimensional vectors V3 . We write F(x, y , z) = f1 (x, y , z), f2 (x, y , z), f3 (x, y , z)

= f1 (x, y , z)i + f2 (x, y , z)j + f3 (x, y , z)k, for scalar functions f1 (x, y , z), f2 (x, y , z), and f3 (x, y , z).

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (1 of 2)

Consider the vector eld function F(x, y ) = y , x and plot F(1, 0), F(0, 1), and F(1, 1).

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (2 of 2)
2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Graph of a Vector Field

The graph of a vector eld F(x, y ) is a two-dimensional graph with vectors F(x, y ) plotted with initial points at (x, y ).

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Graph of a Vector Field

The graph of a vector eld F(x, y ) is a two-dimensional graph with vectors F(x, y ) plotted with initial points at (x, y ). Example Consider the graph of the vector eld function F(x, y ) = y , x .

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example
F(x, y ) = y , x
1.0

0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example
F(x, y ) = sin x, cos y
2
3 2

0
2

3 2

2 2
3 2

3 2

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Matching Exercise

Match the following functions to the graphs of the vector elds. F(x, y ) = G(x, y ) = H(x, y ) = K(x, y ) = y, x 2x 3y , 2x + 3y sin x, sin y ln(1 + x 2 + y 2 ), x

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Vector Fields in 3 Dimensions

F(x, y , z) = 0, 0, z
y
0 1

1 0

x
1

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Flow Lines
We may think of the vector eld F(x, y ) = f1 (x, y ), f2 (x, y ) as indicating the direction of movement of an object at each point in space. If the object is initially at (x0 , y0 ) its future position is given by the solution to the differential equation: x (t) = f1 (x(t), y (t)) y (t) = f2 (x(t), y (t)) (x(0), y (0)) = (x0 , y0 ) The parametric plot of the solution generates a ow line through (x0 , y0 ).

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example
Consider the vector eld F(x, y ) = xi y j. Sketch the vector eld and several ow lines with different initial conditions.

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example
Consider the vector eld F(x, y ) = xi y j. Sketch the vector eld and several ow lines with different initial conditions.
1.0

0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

More Flow Lines

1.0

0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0

x
J. Robert Buchanan Vector Fields

Example
Consider the vector eld F(x, y ) = ex , 2x . Sketch the vector eld and several ow lines with different initial conditions.
1.0

0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Gradient and Potential

Denition For any scalar function f , the vector eld F = f is called the gradient eld of function f . We call f a potential function for F. Whenever F = f , for some scalar function f , we refer to F as a conservative vector eld.

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (1 of 4)

Find the gradient eld of f (x, y , z) = x cos

y z

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (1 of 4)

Find the gradient eld of f (x, y , z) = x cos f (x, y , z) = cos

y z

y y y x xy , sin , 2 sin z z z z z

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (2 of 4)

Find the gradient eld of f (x, y , z) = mMG x 2 + y 2 + z2

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (2 of 4)

Find the gradient eld of f (x, y , z) = mMG x 2 + y 2 + z2

f (x, y , z) =

mMG x, y , z (x 2 + y 2 + z 2 )3/2

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (3 of 4)
Find a potential for the vector eld F(x, y ) = 2x cos y y cos x, x 2 sin y sin x

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (3 of 4)
Find a potential for the vector eld F(x, y ) = 2x cos y y cos x, x 2 sin y sin x If f (x, y ) = F(x, y ) then f = 2x cos y y cos x x f (x, y ) = x 2 cos y y sin x + h(y ) where h(y ) is an arbitrary function of y only.

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (3 of 4)
Find a potential for the vector eld F(x, y ) = 2x cos y y cos x, x 2 sin y sin x If f (x, y ) = F(x, y ) then f = 2x cos y y cos x x f (x, y ) = x 2 cos y y sin x + h(y ) where h(y ) is an arbitrary function of y only. f = x 2 sin y sin x = x 2 sin y sin x + h (y ) y h (y ) = 0 Thus h(y ) = C, a constant and f (x, y ) = x 2 cos y y sin x + C.
J. Robert Buchanan Vector Fields

Example (4 of 4)

Find a potential for the vector eld F(x, y ) = yex + sin y , ex + x cos y + y 2

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Example (4 of 4)

Find a potential for the vector eld F(x, y ) = yex + sin y , ex + x cos y + y 2 1 f (x, y ) = yex + x sin y + y 3 + C 3

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields

Homework

Read Section 14.1. Exercises: 159 odd

J. Robert Buchanan

Vector Fields