Chapter 1: Algebra, Vectors and Fields

1.1 Vector Algebra

1.2 Cartesian Coordinate System
1.3 Cylindrical and Spherical Coordinate Systems
1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields

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1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields
(1) Field Concept

Physic Extending in the perspective of Math

A field is a physical quantity A field is a functions of an arbitrary

property of matter distributed quantity dependent on independent
and varying in space and time variables of space and time

(2) Classification
(a) Scalar Field
Temperature in a room, T(x, y, z)

Depicted graphically by color,

constant magnitude contours or
surfaces

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1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields
(2) Classification
(b) Vector Field

Visualization of EM field vector distribution

around the head with cell phone 3
1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields
(2) Classification
(c) Static Fields
Fields not varying with time

(d) Dynamic Fields

Fields varying with time
Ex: Temperature in a room over time, T(x, y, z; t)

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1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields: Examples
Find the shapes of the constant-temperature surfaces

D1.10. The time-varying temperature field in space is given by


(a) 𝑡 = 0: T ( x, y, z, 0 ) = T0  x (1 + 0 )  + 2 y (1 − 1)  + 4 z 2
2 2

= T0 ( x 2 + 4 z 2 )

Constant temperature surfaces are elliptic cylinders

(x 2
+ 4 z 2 ) = const.

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1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields: Examples
Find the shapes of the constant-temperature surfaces

D1.10. The time-varying temperature field in space is given by

(b) 𝑡 = 0.5 𝑠: 
T ( x, y, z, 0.5) = T0 x (1 + 1) + 2 y (1 − 0 )  + 4 z 2
2 2

= T0 ( 4 x 2 + 4 y 2 + 4 z 2 )
Constant temperature surfaces are elliptic spheres ( x 2
+ y 2
+ z 2
) = const.

(c) 𝑡 = 1 𝑠: 
T ( x, y, z, 1) = T0  x (1 + 0 )  + 2 y (1 + 1) + 4 z 2
2 2

= T0 ( x 2 + 16 y 2 + 4 z 2 )
Constant temperature surfaces are elliptic ellipsoids

( x 2
+ 16 y 2
+ 4 z 2
) = const. 6
1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields
(3) Finding Equation for Direction Lines of a Vector Field
The field F is tangential to the direction
line at all points on a direction line.

Cartesian:
ax ay az
dl  F = dx dy dz = 0
Fx Fy Fz

Cylindrical:

Spherical:
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1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields: Examples
Velocity vector field of points on a rotating disk

Velocity field at the point (𝑟, 𝜙): 𝐯 𝑟, 𝜙 = 𝜔𝑟𝐚𝜙 where 𝜔 angular velocity

In the cylindrical system:

Direction lines equation: 𝑑𝑟 = 0

𝑟 = constant (circles centered at the origin)
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1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields: Examples
P1.26. Finding equations for the direction lines of vector fields in
Cartesian coordinates. Obtain the equations for the direction lines
for the following vector fields and passing through the point (1, 2, 3):
(b) 𝐅 = 𝑥𝐚𝒙 + 𝑦𝐚𝒚 + 𝑧𝐚𝒛

dx dy dz
= =
x y z
ln x = ln y + ln C1 = ln z + ln C2
ln x = ln C1y = ln C2 z

x = C1y = C2 z

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1.4 Scalar and Vector Fields: Examples
P1.26. Finding equations for the direction lines of vector fields in
Cartesian coordinates. Obtain the equations for the direction lines
for the following vector fields and passing through the point (1, 2, 3):
(b) 𝐅 = 𝑥𝐚𝒙 + 𝑦𝐚𝒚 + 𝑧𝐚𝒛

x = C1y = C2 z
For the line passing through (1, 2, 3), 1 = C1(2) = C2 (3)
1 1
C1 = , C2 =
2 3
y z
x= =
2 3
or, 6x = 3y = 2z .
Direction lines are straight lines emanating radially from the origin
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