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Integration of vectors
15.7
Introduction
The area known as vector calculus is used to model mathematically a vast range of engineering
phenomena including electrostatics, electromagnetic elds, air ow around aircraft and heat ow
in nuclear reactors. In this Block we introduce briey the dierential and integral calculus of
vectors.
Prerequisites
Before starting this Block you should . . .
Learning Outcomes
Learning Style
After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . .
to . . .
dierentiate and integrate vectors
allocate sucient study time
1. Differentiation of Vectors
Consider the following gure.
y
r
C
If r represents the position vector of an object which is moving along a curve C, then the position
vector will be dependent upon the time, t. We write r = r(t) to show the dependence upon
time. Suppose that the object is at the point P with position vector r at time t and at the point
Q with position vector r(t + t) at the later time t + t as shown in the next gure.
y
PQ
r(t)
Q
r(t + t)
x
Then P Q represents the displacement vector of the object during the interval of time t. The
length of the displacement vector represents the distance travelled while its direction gives the
direction of motion. The average velocity during the time from t to t + t is dened as the
displacement vector divided by the time interval t, that is,
PQ
r(t + t) r(t)
average velocity =
=
t
t
If we now take the limit as the interval of time t tends to zero then the expression on the right
hand side is the derivative of r with respect to t. Not surprisingly we refer to this derivative as
the instantaneous velocity, v. By its very construction we see that the velocity vector is always
tangential to the curve as the object moves along it. We have:
dr
r(t + t) r(t)
=
t0
t
dt
v = lim
Now, since the x and y coordinates of the object depend upon the time, we can write the position
vector r in cartesian coordinates as:
r(t) = x(t)i + y(t)j
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
15.7: Applications of Integration
Therefore,
r(t + t) = x(t + t)i + y(t + t)j
so that,
x(t + t)i + y(t + t)j x(t)i y(t)j
t0
t
y(t + t) y(t)
x(t + t) x(t)
i+
j
= lim
t0
t
t
dy
dx
i+ j
=
dt
dt
v(t) = lim
+ y(t)j
+ z(t)k
v = r (t) = x(t)i
The magnitude of the velocity vector gives the speed of the object.
We can dene the acceleration vector in a similar way, as the rate of change (i.e. the derivative)
of the velocity with respect to the time:
a=
dv
d2 r
= 2 = r = xi + yj + zk
dt
dt
dw
(b)
dt
(c)
d2 w
dt2
Solution
1. (a) If w = 3t2 i + cos 2tj, then dierentiation with respect to t yields:
dw
(b) = (6t)2 + (2 sin 2t)2 = 36t2 + 4 sin2 2t
dt
(c)
dw
= 6ti 2 sin 2tj
dt
d2 w
= 6i 4 cos 2tj
dt2
Key Point
dw dc
d
(cw) = c
+ w
dt
dt
dt
d
dw dz
(w + z) =
+
dt
dt
dt
d
dz dw
(w z) = w
+
z
dt
dt
dt
d
dz dw
(w z) = w
+
z
dt
dt
dt
d
dz dw
(w z) = w
+
z
dt
dt
dt
(b)
d
dz dw
(w z) = w
+
z
dt
dt
dt
Solution
(a) w z = (3ti t2 j) (2t2 i + 3j) = 6t3 3t2 . Then
d
(w z) = 18t2 6t
dt
Also
dz
= 4ti
dt
dw
= 3i 2tj
dt
so
w
dz
dw
+z
= (3ti t2 j) (4ti) + (2t2 i + 3j) (3i 2tj)
dt
dt
= 12t2 + 6t2 6t = 18t2 6t
d
(w z) = w
dt
i
j k
(b) w z = 3t t2 0
2t2 3 0
Also,
We have veried
dz dw
+
z
dt
dt
= (9t + 2t4 )k
implying
d
(w z) = (9 + 8t3 )k
dt
i
j
k
dz
2
= 3t t 0
w
dt
4t 0 0
= 4t3 k
Solution (continued)
i
j k
dw
z = 3 2t 0
dt
2t2 3 0
= (9 + 4t3 )k
and so,
w
dz dw
d
+
z = 4t3 k + (9 + 4t3 )k = (9 + 8t3 )k = (w z)
dt
dt
dt
as required.
More exercises for you to try
1. If r = 3ti + 2t2 j + t3 k, nd
(a)
dr
dt
(b)
d2 r
dt2
dB
dt
(b)
d2 B
dt2
dr
dt
when t = 1.
(b) nd
dw
,
dt
(c) nd
dz
,
dt
d
(wz)
dt
= w dz
+ dw
z
dt
dt
(b) r,
(c) |r|
Show also that the position vector and velocity vector are perpendicular.
Answer
2. Integration of Vectors
If a vector depends upon time t, it is often necessary to integrate it with respect to time. Recall
that i, j and k are constant vectors and must be treated thus in any integration. Hence the
integral,
I = (f (t)i + g(t)j + h(t)k) dt
is simply evaluated as three scalar integrals i.e.
I=
f (t)dt i +
g(t)dt j +
h(t)dt k
rdt.
0
Solution
rdt =
0
3t dt i +
2 1
3t
2
t dt j +
1 + 2t dt k
3
1
1
t
3
1
i+
j + t + t2 0 k = i + j + 2k
3 0
2
3
0
r dt.
0
2. Given v = i 3j + k, evaluate:
v dt,
(a)
(b)
v dt
0
a dt,
(a)
0
(b)
a dt,
(c)
a dt
1
t1
t1
(b) 4j + 6tk
3. 4i + 2j 7k, 8i + 2j
4. (a) t(t3 + 2t2 + 14)
5. (a) cos ti sin tj
(b) 3t2 i 7k
(c) i + 2tj
(c) 1.
1. 6i + 1.348k
2. (a) i 3j + k
(b) 2i 6j + 2k
4. no.
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