CH 2
CH 2
Unit-2
Vector Calculus
Scalar: Aphysical quantity which has magnitude only is caled as a Scalar. Example: every real
number is a scalar.
Vector: A physical quantity which has both magnitude and direction is called as a Vector. Example:
Velocity, Acceleration.
VECTOR POINT FUNCTION: I to each point P(x, y, z) of a region Rin the space , there is
associated a unique vector F(P)or F(x,y,z) then F is called a vector point function.The set of all
points of the region R together with the set of all va lues of the function F constitute a vector field
over R.
Example l :V =xi+ yj + zk is a vector point function, which associates with each point (x, y, z) a
vector pointing away from the origin. This represents a three -dimens iona l source field.
SCALAR POINT FUNCTION: "Consider any region R of space at each point P(xy.2) of the
region in space there corresponds a scalar o =0(X.y.z) we then say that is a scalar point function
Over the region R.The o is called scalar function and R is called scalar fie ld.
"Example 1:IfP = (x, y) then (P) =x + y' is a scalar point function and it forms a two dimensional
scalar fiekd.
Example 2:if P=(x.y,z) then x* + y + z is a scalar point function and it forms a three
dimensionalscalar field.