What is Vector field: Definition and 402 Discussions

In vector calculus and physics, a vector field is an assignment of a vector to each point in a subset of space. For instance, a vector field in the plane can be visualised as a collection of arrows with a given magnitude and direction, each attached to a point in the plane. Vector fields are often used to model, for example, the speed and direction of a moving fluid throughout space, or the strength and direction of some force, such as the magnetic or gravitational force, as it changes from one point to another point.
The elements of differential and integral calculus extend naturally to vector fields. When a vector field represents force, the line integral of a vector field represents the work done by a force moving along a path, and under this interpretation conservation of energy is exhibited as a special case of the fundamental theorem of calculus. Vector fields can usefully be thought of as representing the velocity of a moving flow in space, and this physical intuition leads to notions such as the divergence (which represents the rate of change of volume of a flow) and curl (which represents the rotation of a flow).
In coordinates, a vector field on a domain in n-dimensional Euclidean space can be represented as a vector-valued function that associates an n-tuple of real numbers to each point of the domain. This representation of a vector field depends on the coordinate system, and there is a well-defined transformation law in passing from one coordinate system to the other. Vector fields are often discussed on open subsets of Euclidean space, but also make sense on other subsets such as surfaces, where they associate an arrow tangent to the surface at each point (a tangent vector).
More generally, vector fields are defined on differentiable manifolds, which are spaces that look like Euclidean space on small scales, but may have more complicated structure on larger scales. In this setting, a vector field gives a tangent vector at each point of the manifold (that is, a section of the tangent bundle to the manifold). Vector fields are one kind of tensor field.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. Caio Graco

    Is any constant vector field conservative?

    Is a constant vector field like F = kj conservative? Since the work of F for any closed path is null it seems that F is conservative but for a force to be conservative two conditions must be satisfied: a) The force must be a function of the position. b) The circulation of force is zero. My...
  2. JD_PM

    Proving that a vector field is conservative

    Homework Statement Homework Equations $$F = \nabla \phi$$ The Attempt at a Solution Let's focus on determining why this vector field is conservative. The answer is the following: [/B] I get everything till it starts playing with the constant of integration once the straightforward...
  3. A

    A Massive Vector Field: Questions & Answers

    Hello everybody. The Lagrangian for a massive vector field is: $$\mathcal{L} = -\frac{1}{4}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu\nu} + \frac{m^2}{2}A_\mu A^\mu$$ The equation of motion is ##\partial_\mu F^{\mu\nu}+m^2A^\nu = 0## Expanding the EOM with the definition of ##F^{\mu\nu}## the Klein-Gordon equation for...
  4. GabrielCoriiu

    I Finding all valid surfaces that go through a vector field

    Hi, I'm trying to find all the valid surfaces that go through a vector field so that the normal of the surface at any point is equal with the vector from the vector field at the same point. The vector field is defined by the function: $$ \hat N(p) = \hat L(p) \cos \theta + \hat R(p)...
  5. PeterDonis

    A Extra Killing Vector Field in Kerr Spacetime?

    In a recent thread, the following was posted regarding the "no hair" theorem for black holes: In the arxiv paper linked to, it says the following (p. 2, after Theorem 1.1): "Hawking has shown that in addition to the original, stationary, Killing field, which has to be tangent to the event...
  6. Spinnor

    I Resultant vector field as sum of many sources

    Let us have some localized density of sources, S, in a plane, each of which produces a localized circular vector field. Let us work in polar coordinates. Let the density of sources, S = Aexp(-r^2/a^2) and let each source have circular vector field whose strength is given by exp(-(r-r_i)^2/b^2)...
  7. J

    Streamlines for a vector field

    I'm trying to use LaTeX to graph both the vectors of the electric field around a dipole and the field lines. So far I have a quiver plot of the vector field: I obtained this by using the code \begin{tikzpicture} \def \U{(x-1)/((x-1)^2+y^2)^(3/2) - (x+1)/((x+1)^2+y^2)^(3/2)} \def...
  8. CptXray

    Finding integral curves of a vector field

    Homework Statement For a vector field $$\begin{equation} X:=y\frac{\partial{}}{\partial{x}} + x\frac{\partial{}}{\partial{y}} \end{equation}$$ Find it's integral curves and the curve that intersects point $$p = \left(1, 0 \right).$$ Show that $$X(x,y)$$ is tangent to the family of curves: $$x^2...
  9. E

    A Lie derivative of vector field defined through integral curv

    Consider ##X## and ##Y## two vector fields on ##M ##. Fix ##x## a point in ##M## , and consider the integral curve of ##X## passing through ##x## . This integral curve is given by the local flow of ##X## , denoted ##\phi _ { t } ( p ) .## Now consider $$t \mapsto a _ { t } \left( \phi _ { t } (...
  10. I

    I Calculating Divergence of a Vector Field in Three Dimensions

    If I have a vector field say ## v = e^{z}(y\hat{i}+x\hat{j}) ##, and I want to calculate the divergence. Do I only take partial derivatives with respect to x and y (like so, ## \frac{\partial A_x}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial A_y}{\partial y} ##) or should I take partial derivatives with respect...
  11. aboutammam

    I About the properties of the Divergence of a vector field

    Hello I have a question if it possible, Let X a tangantial vector field of a riemannian manifolds M, and f a smooth function define on M. Is it true that X(exp-f)=-exp(-f).X(f) And div( exp(-f).X)=exp(-f)〈gradf, X〉+exp(-f)div(X)? Thank you
  12. C

    Finding the Flux of a Vector Field

    Homework Statement A vector field is pointed along the z-axis, v → = a/(x^2 + y^2)z . (a) Find the flux of the vector field through a rectangle in the xy-plane between a < x < b and c < y < d . (b) Do the same through a rectangle in the yz-plane between a < z < b and c < y < d . (Leave your...
  13. sams

    I How to draw the following vector field?

    How to draw the following vector field: F(r) = 1/(r^2) I know the shape of this vector field and how to draw a vector field in terms of x- and y-components, but I was wondering how to draw a vector field in terms of a vector r, as given above, without knowing its components. Any advice is much...
  14. N

    Left invariant vector field under a gauge transformation

    Homework Statement For a left invariant vector field γ(t) = exp(tv). For a gauge transformation t -> t(xμ). Intuitively, what happens to the LIVF in the latter case? Is it just displaced to a different point in spacetime or something else? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  15. N

    I Computation of the left invariant vector field for SO(3)

    I am trying to improve my understanding of Lie groups and the operations of left multiplication and pushforward. I have been looking at these notes: https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/2527648/left-invariant-vector-fields-example...
  16. K

    Calculating Line Integral in xy-Plane

    Homework Statement Calculate the line integral ° v ⋅ dr along the curve y = x3 in the xy-plane when -1 ≤ x ≤ 2 and v = xy i + x2 j. Note: Sorry the integral sign doesn't seem to work it just makes a weird dot, looks like a degree sign, ∫.2. The attempt at a solution I have to write something...
  17. D

    Difficult Vector Field Integral

    <Moderator's note: Image substituted by text.> 1. Homework Statement Given the following vector field, $$ \dfrac{2(x-1)\,dy - 2(y+1)\,dx}{(x-1)^2+(y+1)^2} $$ how do I integrate : The integral over the curve x^4 + y^4 = 1 x^4 + y^4 = 11 x^4 + y^4 = 21 x^4 + y^4 = 31 Homework Equations...
  18. Robin04

    Divergence of a vector field in a spherical polar coordinate system

    Homework Statement I have to calculate the partial derivative of an arctan function. I have started to calculate it but I wonder if there is any simpler form, because if the simplest solution is this complex then it would make my further calculation pretty painful... Homework Equations $$\beta...
  19. P

    A Interpretation of covariant derivative of a vector field

    On Riemannian manifolds ##\mathcal{M}## the covariant derivative can be used for parallel transport by using the Levi-Civita connection. That is Let ##\gamma(s)## be a smooth curve, and ##l_0 \in T_p\mathcal{M}## the tangent vector at ##\gamma(s_0)=p##. Then we can parallel transport ##l_0##...
  20. J

    A Why is Killing vector field normal to Killing horizon?

    In p.244 of Carroll's "Spacetime and Geometry," the Killing horizon ##\Sigma## of a Killing vector ##\chi## is defined by a null hypersurface on which ##\chi## is null. Then it says this ##\chi## is in fact normal to ## \Sigma## since a null surface cannot have two linearly independent null...
  21. binbagsss

    Component of Lie Derivative expression vector field

    1. Homework Statement Hi, I have done part a) by using the expression given for the lie derivative of a vector field and noting that if ##w## is a vector field then so is ##wf## and that was fine. In order to do part b) I need to use the expression given in the question but looking at a...
  22. S

    Finding the velocity of flow described by a vector field

    Homework Statement Consider the surface, S, in the xyz-space with the parametric representation: S: (, ) = [cos() , sin() , ] −1/2 ≤ ≤ 1/2 0 ≤ ≤ os(). The surface is placed in a fluid with the...
  23. T

    Calculate the Curl of a Velocity vector field

    Homework Statement The velocity of a solid object rotating about an axis is a field \bar{v} (x,y,z) Show that \bar{\bigtriangledown }\times \bar{v} = 2\,\bar{\omega }, where \bar{\omega } is the angular velocity. Homework Equations 3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] I tried to use the...
  24. E

    Vector fields question; not sure how to approach?

    Homework Statement The stream function Ψ(x,y) = Asin(πnx)*sin(πmy) where m and n are consitive integers and A is a constant, describes circular flow in the region R = {(x,y): 0≤x≤1, 0≤y≤1 }. Graph several streamlines with A=10 and m=n=1 and describe the flow. Explain why the flow is confined to...
  25. yecko

    Line integral of a vector field

    Homework Statement [/B] I would like to ask for Q5b function G & H Homework Equations answer: G: -2pi H: 0 by drawing the vector field The Attempt at a Solution the solution is like: by drawing the vector field, vector field of function G is always tangential to the circle in clockwise...
  26. J

    I Definition of Vector Field in General Relativity

    In general relativity we demand that the physical law can be stated as a form which does not depend on the choose of particular coordinate system, So the vector field is defined as a changing object following a regular pattern under the transformation of coordinates. For example, we can define...
  27. S

    Cylindrical Vector Field Equation Convsersion to Cartesian

    Homework Statement I have been given a changing magnetic field in cylindrical coordinates. The equation is: \begin{equation} B(r,\phi,z) = - \frac {B_1} {2} r \hat{r} + (B_0 + B_1z)\hat{z} \end{equation} I need to be able to find the magnetic field as a function of x, y, and z. Homework...
  28. M

    Question about finding area using Green's Theorem

    Homework Statement Use Green's Theorem to find the area of the region between the x-axis and the curve parameterized by r(t)=<t-sin(t), 1-cos(t)>, 0 <= t <= 2pi Attached is a figure pertaining to the question Homework Equations [/B] The Attempt at a Solution Using the parameterized...
  29. 1

    The Divergence of a Regularized Point Charge Electric Field

    1. Problem: Consider vector field A##\left( \vec r \right) = \frac {\vec n} {(r^2+a^2)}## representing the electric field of a point charge, however, regularized by adding a in the denominator. Here ##\vec n = \frac {\vec r} r##. Calculate the divergence of this vector field. Show that in the...
  30. L

    A Can I find a smooth vector field on the patches of a torus?

    I am looks at problems that use the line integrals ##\frac{i}{{2\pi }}\oint_C A ## over a closed loop to evaluate the Chern number ##\frac{i}{{2\pi }}\int_T F ## of a U(1) bundle on a torus . I am looking at two literatures, in the first one the torus is divided like this then the Chern number...
  31. K

    A Pushing forward a vector field

    I'm learning Differential Geometry on my own for my research in ML/AI. I'm reading the book "Gauge fields, knots and gravity" by Baez and Muniain. An exercise asks to show that "if \phi:M\to N we can push forward a vector field v on M to obtain a vector field (\phi_*v)_q = \phi_*(v_p) whenever...
  32. J

    Can a Vector Field in 3D and Time Have a Fourth Component in its Divergence?

    Homework Statement I attempted to solve the problem. I would like to know if my work/thought process or even answer is correct, and if not, what I can do to fix it. I am given: Calculate the divergence of the vector field : A=0.2R^(3)∅ sin^2(θ) (R hat+θ hat+ ∅ hat)Homework Equations [/B] The...
  33. S

    I What are the components of a vector field on a manifold?

    Hello! I am not sure I understand the idea of vector field on a manifold. The book I read is Geometry, Topology and Physics by Mikio Nakahara. The way this is defined there is: "If a vector is assigned smoothly to each point on M, it is called a vector field over M". Thinking about the 2D...
  34. D

    How Can the Potential of a Given Vector Field Be Determined?

    Homework Statement I have a curve $$\Psi(t) = \hat h_\alpha$$ where the coordinates are $$\alpha=0, \beta=t$$ and $$\gamma=t$$ in the system. Additionaly $$x=\sqrt2 ^\alpha \cdot(sin\beta-cos\beta)\cdot \frac{1}{cosh\gamma}$$ $$y=\sqrt2 ^\alpha \cdot(cos\beta+sin\beta)\cdot...
  35. D

    One-dimensional integration - flux

    <Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum and thus no template.> Calculate flux of the vector field $$F=(-y, x, z^2)$$ through the tetraeder $$T(ABCD)$$ with the corner points $$A= (\frac{3}{2}, 0, 0), B= (0, \frac{\sqrt 3}{2},0), C = (0, -\frac{\sqrt 3}{2},0), D = (\frac{1}{2},0 , \sqrt...
  36. D

    A Determine the flux of the vector field trough the surface

    From my drawings it seems to be half of hemisphere. Am I right? How can I solve this task? Determine the flux of the vector field $$ f=(x,(z+y)e^x,-xz^2)^T$$ through the surface $Q(u,w)$, which is defined in the follwoing way: 1) the two boundaries are given by $$\delta...
  37. R

    Line integral of vector field from Apostol calculus

    Homework Statement Here are the three problems that i couldn't solve from the book Calculus volume 2 by apostol 10.9 Exercise 2. Find the amount of work done by the force f(x,y)=(x^2-y^2)i+2xyj in moving a particle (in a counter clockwise direction) once around the square bounded by the...
  38. L

    A Impossible Curl of a Vector Field

    Let's assume the vector field is NOT a gradient field. Are there any restrictions on what the curl of this vector field can be? If so, how can I determine a given curl of a vector field can NEVER be a particular vector function?
  39. B

    Recast a given vector field F in cylindrical coordinates

    Homework Statement F(x,y,z) = xzi Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a Solution I just said that x = rcos(θ) so F(r,θ,z) = rcos(θ)z. Is this correct? Beaucse I am also asked to find curl of F in Cartesian coordinates and compare to curl of F in cylindrical coordinates. For Curl of F in...
  40. H

    Intrinsic derivative of constant vector field along a curve

    Homework Statement Suppose that ##T_i## is the contravariant component of a vector field ##\mathbf{T}## that is constant along the trajectory ##\gamma.## Show that intrinsic derivative is ##0.## Homework Equations $$\frac{\delta T_i}{\delta t} = \frac{dT^i}{dt}+V^j\Gamma^i_{jk}T^k$$ The...
  41. F

    I Notations used with vector field and dot product

    Hello, I try to understand the following demonstration of an author (to proove that dot product is conserved with parallel transport) : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Demonstration : By definition, the...
  42. maxhersch

    Estimate Vector Field Surface Integral

    I assume this is a simple summation of the normal components of the vector fields at the given points multiplied by dA which in this case would be 1/4. This is not being accepted as the correct answer. Not sure where I am going wrong. My textbook doesn't discuss estimating surface integrals...
  43. C

    I Find potential integrating on segments parallel to axes

    A simple method to find the potential of a conservative vector field defined on a domain ##D## is to calculate the integral $$U(x,y,z)=\int_{\gamma} F \cdot ds$$ On a curve ##\gamma## that is made of segments parallel to the coordinate axes, that start from a chosen point ##(x_0,y_0,z_0)##. I...
  44. G

    I How to write a Vector Field in Cylindrical Co-ordinates?

    Let's say we have a vector field that looks similar to this. Assume that the above image is of the x-y plane. The vector arrows circulate a central axis, you can think of them as tangents to circles. The field does not depend on the height z. The lengths of the arrows is a function of their...
  45. S

    Vector Field Dynamics: Apologies & Solutions

    Currently working through some exercises introducing myself to quantum field theory, however I'm completely lost with this problem. Let $$L$$ be a Lagrangian for for a real vector field $$A_\mu$$ with field strength $$F_{\mu\nu} = \partial_\mu A_\nu - \partial_\nu A_\mu$$ gauge parameter...
  46. M

    Decoding flux of a vector field

    i was going through Gauss law and the chapter started with flux of a vector field.i understand it mathematically but not physically, i have been reading on the net and most common explanation is that it is the amt of "something"(anything) crossing a given surface.fine till here.then i read that...
  47. F

    Normal vector in surface integral of vector field

    Homework Statement when the normal vector n is oriented upward , why the dz/dx and dz/dy is negative ? shouldn't the k = positive , while the dz/dx and dz/dy is also positive? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution is the author wrong ? [/B]
  48. kroni

    I Condition on vector field to be a diffeomorphism.

    Hi everybody, Let V(x) a vector field on a manifold ( R^2 in my case), i am looking for a condition on V(x) for which the function x^µ \rightarrow x^µ + V^µ(x) is a diffeomorphism. I read some document speaking about the flow, integral curve for ODE solving but i fail to find a generic...
  49. A

    Is irrotational flow field a conservative vector field?

    For a flowing fluid with a constant velocity, will this field be described as conservative vector field? If it is a conservative field, what will be the potential of that field?
  50. T

    Line integral over vector field of a shifted ellipse

    This is part of a larger question, but this is the part I am having difficulty with. I have had an attempt, but am not sure where I am making a mistake. Any help would be very, very appreciated. 1. Homework Statement Let C2 be the part of an ellipse with centre at (4,0), horizontal semi-axis...
Back
Top