Mathematical Techneques, SSE, Semester 1

7th November 2012

Assignment 4 (Vector Calculus)
1. Find the vector function representation of the straight line passing through the given point A in
the direction of a vector b and sketch the line
(a) A : (4, 2, 0), b = î + ĵ
(b) A : (3, 1, 5), b = 4î + 7ĵ − k̂
(c) A : (−1, 3, 8), b = 3î + ĵ
2. For the following vector functions, find the arc length s as a function of the independent variable
t.
(a) r(t) = î + tĵ + t2 k̂
(b) r(t) = tî − 3t2 ĵ + 5(t + 4)k̂
(c) r(t) = cos tî + 4tĵ + sin tk̂
(d) r(t) = sin tî + cos tĵ − cos tk̂
3. If ρ2 = x2 + y 2 and θ = arctan(y/x), show that ds2 = ρ2 dθ2 + dρ2 and thus the arclength is given
by
Z βp
s= ρ2 + ρ′2 dθ
α

Find the total length of the cardioid ρ = a(1 − cos θ). Sketch the curve.
dr
4. In terms of the arc length s show that . is unit in magnitude.
ds
5. Prove that for a space curve r = r(s), where s is the arc length measured along the curve from a
fixed point, the triple scalar product,

dr d2 r
  3
d r
× 2 · 3
ds ds ds

at any point on the curve has the value κ2 τ , where κ is the curvature and τ the torsion at that
point.
6. For the twisted space curve given parametrically by,
x = au(3 − u2 ), y = 3au2 , z = au(3 + u2 )
show that the following hold:
√
(a) ds/du = 3 2a(1 + u2 ), where s is the distance along the curve measured from the origin;
√
(b) the length of the curve from the origin to the Cartesian point (2a, 3a, 4a) is 4 2a;
(c) the radius of curvature at the point with parameter u is 3a(1 + u2 )2 ;
(Hint: Write t̂ as function of u, and use the relation dt̂/ds = (dt̂/du)/(ds/du)).
(d) the torsion τ and curvature κ at a general point are equal;
(Hint: Write b̂ and b̂ as function of u and then use the relation db̂/ds = (db̂/du)/(ds/du).)
7. The shape of the curving slip road joining two motorways that cross at right angles and are at
vertical heights z = 0 and z = h can be represented by the space curve
√ √
2h zπ 2h zπ
r= ln cos( )î + ln sin( )ĵ + z k̂
π 2h π 2h
Show that the radius of curvature ρ of the slip road is ((2h/π) csc(zπ/h)) at height z and that
the torsion τ = −1/ρ. (Take z = 2hθ/π and use θ as parameter.)

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 8. (a) Parametrizing the hyperboloid
x2 y2 z2
+ − =1
a2 b2 c2
by x = a cos θ sec φ,y = b sin θ sec φ,z = c tan φ, show that an area element on its surface is,

dS = sec2 φ[c2 sec2 φ(b2 cos2 θ + a2 sin2 θ) + a2 b2 tan2 φ]1/2 dθdφ.

(b) Use this formula to show that the area of the curved surface x2 + y 2 − z 2 = a2 between the
planes z = 0 and z = 2a is
√
 
2 1 −1
πa 6 + √ sinh 2 2
2
9. Find the directional derivatives of f at P in the direction of a in the following:
(a) f = x2 + y 2 ,P : (1, 1),a = 2î − 4ĵ
(b) f = x − y,P : (4, 5),a = 2î + ĵ
p
(c) f = 1/ x2 + y 2 + z 2 ,P : (3, 0, 4),a = î + ĵ + k̂
(d) f = x2 + 3y 2 + 4z 2 ,P : (1, 0, 1),a = −î − ĵ + k̂
10. Find the unit normal vector n of the cone of revolution z 2 = 4(x2 + y 2 ) at the point P : (1, 0, 2).
11. Read Example 3 in Section 8.4 and Example 3 in Section 8.9 and write a one page summary of
the concepts given therein.
12. The flow of heat in a temperature field takes place in the direction of maximum decrease of
temperature T . For the following cases find this direction at the given point.
(a) φ(x, y, z) = z/(x2 + y 2 ),P : (0, 1, 2)
(b) sin(x + z),P : ( π8 , 1, π8 )
2
−y 2
(c) ex sin 2xy,P : (1, 1)
13. Find the unit normal vectors for the following surfaces,
(a) ax + by + cz + d = 0 at any P .
p
(b) z = x2 + y 2 ,P : (6, 8, 10)
(c) x2 + y2 + 2z 2 = 26,P : (2, 2, 3)
14. For the function 2
−y 2
z(x, y) = (x2 − y 2 )e−x
find the location(s) at which the steepest gradient occurs. What are the magnitude and direction
of that gradient ? (Use plane polar coordinates)
15. Evaluate the integral,
Z
[a(ḃ · a + b · ȧ) + ȧ(b · a) − 2(ȧ · a)b − ḃ|a|2 ]dt

16. Verify by direct calculation the following relations

(a) ∇ · (a × b) = b · (∇ × a) − a · (∇ × b)
(b) ∇ · (φa) = φ∇ · a + a · (∇φ)
(c) ∇ · (a × b) = b · (∇ × a) − a · (∇ × b)
(d) ∇ × (φa) = ∇φ × a + φ∇ × a
(e) ∇ × (a × b) = a(∇ · b) − b(∇ · a) + (b · ∇)a − (a · ∇)b

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17. (a) Simplify,
∇ × a(∇ · a) + a × [∇ × (∇ × a)] + a × ∇2 a
(b) By explicitly writing out the terms in Cartesian coordinates prove that

[c · (b · ∇) − b · (c · ∇)]a = (∇ × a) · (b × c)

(c) Prove that a × (∇ × a) = ∇( 12 a2 ) − (a · ∇)a.

18. The vector field F is defined by

F = 2xz î + 2yz 2ĵ + (x2 + 2y 2 z − 1)k̂.

Calculate ∇ × F and deduce that F can be written F = ∇φ. Determine the form of φ.
19. Evaluate the Laplacian of the funcation

zx2
ψ(x, y, z) =
x2 + y 2 + z 2
(a) directly in cartesian coordinates
(b) after changing to a spherical polar coordinate system. Verify that, as they must, the two
methods give the same result.
20. Verify that the result ∇ × (∇ × a) = ∇(∇ · a) − ∇2 a is valid for each component seperately
when cartesian coordinates are used, i.e., that [∇ × (∇ × a)]i = [∇(∇ · a)]i − ∇2 ai , where i is the
cartesian component.
21. The (Maxwell) relationship between a time-independent magnetic field B and the current density
J (measured in SI units in Am−2 ) producing it,

∇ × B = µ0 J

can be applied to a long cylinder of conducting ionised gas which, in cylindrical polar coordinates,
occupies the region ρ < a.
(a) Show that a uniform current density (0, C, 0) and a magnetic field (0, 0, B), with B constant
(= B0 ) for ρ > a and B = B(ρ) for ρ < a, are consistent with this equation. Given that
B(0) = 0 and that B is continuous at ρ = a, obtain expressions for C and B(ρ) in terms of
B0 and a.
(b) The magnetic field can be expressed as B = ∇×A, where A is known as the vector potential.
Show that a suitable A that has only one non-vanishing component, Aφ (ρ), can be found,
and obtain explicit expressions for Aφ (ρ) for both ρ < a and ρ > a. Like B, the vector
potential is continuous at ρ = a.
(c) The gas pressure p(ρ) satisfies the hydrostatic equation ∇p = J × B and vanishes at the
outer wall of the cylinder. Find a general expression for p.
22. Evaluate the Laplacian of a vector field using two different coordinate systems as follows.
(a) For cylindrical polar coordinates ρ, φ, z, evaluate the derivatives of the three unit vectors
∂êφ ∂êρ
with respect to each of the coordinates, showing that only and are non-zero.
∂φ ∂φ
i. Hence evaluate ∇2 a when a is the vector êρ , i.e. a vector of unit magnitude everywhere
directed radially outwards and expressed by aρ = 1, aφ = az = 0.
ii. Note that it is trivially obvious that ∇ × a = 0 and hence that equation ∇ × (∇ × a) =
∇(∇ · a) − ∇2 a requires that ∇(∇ · a) = ∇2 a.
iii. Evaluate ∇(∇ · a) and show that the latter equation holds, but that [∇(∇ · a)]ρ 6= ∇2 aρ .

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 (b) Rework the same problem in Cartesian coordinates (where, as it happens, the algebra is
more complicated).
23. Maxwells equations for electromagnetism in free space (i.e. in the absence of charges, currents
and dielectric or magnetic media) can be written
(i) ∇ · B = 0,
(ii) ∇ · E = 0,
∂B
(iii) ∇ × E + = 0,
∂t
1 ∂E
(iv) ∇ × B − 2 = 0.
c ∂t
∂A
A vector A is defined by B = ∇ × A, and a scalar φ by E = −∇φ − . Show that if the
∂t
condition
1 ∂φ
(v) ∇ · A + 2 =0
c ∂t
is imposed (this is known as choosing the Lorentz gauge), then A and φ satisfy wave equations
as follows:
1 ∂2φ
(vi) ∇2 φ − 2 2 = 0
c ∂t
2 1 ∂2A
(vii) ∇ A − 2 2 = 0
c ∂t
You should proceed as follows.
(a) Verify that the expressions for B and E in terms of A and φ are consistent with (i) and (iii).
(b) Substitute for E in (ii) and use the derivative with respect to time of (v) to eliminate A from
the resulting expression. Hence obtain (vi).
(c) Substitute for B and E in (iv) in terms of A and φ. Then use the gradient of
(d) to simplify the resulting equation and so obtain (vii).
24. In a description of the flow of a very viscous fluid that uses spherical polar coordinates with ax-
ial symmetry, the components of the velocity field u are given in terms of the stream function ψ by,
1 ∂ψ −1 ∂ψ
ur = , uθ =
r2 sin θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂r
Find an explicit expression for the differential operator E defined by,

Eψ = −(r sin θ)(∇ × u)φ

The stream function satisfies the equation of motion E 2 ψ = 0 and, for the flow of a fluid past
a sphere, takes the form ψ(r, θ) = f (r) sin2 θ. Show that f (r) satisfies the (ordinary) differential
equation
r4 f (4) − 4r2 f ′′ + 8rf ′ − 8f = 0.

25. Solve using Green’s theorem for a plane, the problems 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 10 in section 10.4 of
Kreizig’s textbook (the chapters put on the intranet).
26. Study Example 4 of section 10.4 in Kreizig’s textbook and solve problems 18, 19 and 20 in that
section.
27. The vector field Q is defined by Q = [3x2 (y + z) + y 3 + z 3 ]î + [3y 2 (z + x) + z 3 + x3 ]ĵ + 3z 2(x + y) +
x3 + y 3 k̂. Show that
R Q is a conservative field, construct its potential function and hence evaluate
the integral J = Qdr along any line connecting the point A at (1, 1, 1) to B at (2, 1, 2).

28. F is a vector field xy 2 î + 2ĵ + xRk̂, and L isRa path parameterised

R by x = ct, y = c/t, z = d for the
range 1 ≤ t ≤ 2. Evaluate (a) L Fdt, (b) L Fdy and (c) L F · dr.

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29. By making an appropriate choice for the functions P (x, y) and Q(x, y) that appear in Greens
theorem in a plane, show that the integral of x − y over the upper half of the unit circle centred on
the origin has the value −2 . Show the same result by direct integration in Cartesian coordinates.
30. By using parameterisations of the form x = a cosn θ and y = a sinn θ for suitable values of n, find
the area bounded by the curves

x2 y2 a2 x2 y2 a2
+ = and + =
5 5 5 3 3 3

31. Evaluate the line integral,

I
I= y(4x2 + y 2 )dx + x(2x2 + 3y 2 )dy
C

around the ellipse x2 /a2 + y 2 /b2 = 1.

I
32. If a = ∇ × b show that a · dS = 0 for any closed surface S.
S
I
33. Use divergence to prove that dS = 0 if S is a closed surface.
S

34. Solve problems 18, 19, 21, 22, 25 of section 10.7 from chapter 10 of
Kreyszig’s textbook.

Also Solve Problems 11.9, 11.18, 11.19, 11.20, 11.21 from the 11th chap-
ter of Riley, Hobson and Bence textbook.
35. Given a vector a = −y î + xĵ, show withIthe help of Stoke’s theorem that the integral around a
continuous closed curve in the x, y-plane a · dr = A, where A is the area enclosed by the curve.
C

36. FromIthe Maxwell’s equation ∇ × B = µ0 J derive derive Ampere’s law of magnetism, i.e., show
that B · dr = µ0 I, where I is the current enclosed by the loop C.
C
H
37. Prove that S (∇ × a) · dS = 0, if S is a closed.
I I
38. Prove that φ∇ψ · dr = − ψ∇φ · dr.
C C
I Z
39. Prove that φ∇ψ · dr = (∇φ × ∇ψ) · dr.
C S

40. Given the vector a = (x2 − y 2 )î + 2xy ĵ,

Z
(a) Evaluate (∇ × a) · dS over the rectangle in the x, y plane bounded by the lines x = 0,x =
S
a,y = 0,y = b.
I
(b) Evaluate a · dr around the boundary of the rectangle and thus verify Stoke’s theorem for
C
this case.
41. Use Stoke’s theorem of Divergence theorem to evaluate each of the following integrals in the easiest
possible way.
Z
(a) (∇ × (x2 î + z 2 ĵ − y 2 k̂)) · dS, where S is the part of the surface z = 4 − x2 − y 2 above the
S
x, y-plane.

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 x2 y2 z2
Z
(b) (∇ × (x2 y î − xz k̂)) · dS over the closed surface of the ellipsoid
+ + = 1.
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Warning: Stoke’s theorem applies only to an open surface. Hint: Could you cut the given
surface into two halves ? Also note that ∇ · (∇ × v) = 0.
42. Solve problems 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18 of section 10.9 from chapter
10 of Kreyszig’s textbook.

Also Solve Problems 11.27 and 11.28 from the 11th chapter of Riley,
Hobson and Bence textbook.

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