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Scalar_and_Vector_Fields

Scalar and vector fields

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2 views

Scalar_and_Vector_Fields

Scalar and vector fields

Uploaded by

minasetilayee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Scalar and Vector Fields

The cosines of α, β, and γ are called the direction cosines of vector A with respect to the
Cartesian coordinate system.

i.e.

cos α = l = Aₓ / √(Aₓ² + A_y² + A_z²) = Aₓ / |A|

cos β = m = A_y / |A|

cos γ = n = A_z / |A|

Hence, e_A = (cos α, cos β, cos γ) · (eₓ, e_y, e_z).

Expanding this dot product, we get:

e_A = cos α eₓ + cos β e_y + cos γ e_z

Using the notation for direction cosines, we can rewrite it as:

e_A = l eₓ + m e_y + n e_z

If we know e_A, then the vector A can be expressed as:

A = A · e_A

Scalar and Vector Fields


If each point (x, y, z) in a region R in space is assigned a number that represents a scalar
physical quantity, and the variation of this number from point to point in space is described
by a mathematical equation φ(x, y, z), then the function φ is called a scalar point function.
Thus, φ represents a scalar field in R.

Examples of Scalar Fields:

 - Spatial distribution of temperature inside a non-uniformly heated body.


 - Sound intensity in a theater.
 - Electric potential in a region.
Similarly, if each point (x, y, z) in a region R in space is assigned a vector quantity, such as
A(x, y, z), then the function A(x, y, z) is called a vector point function or a vector field in R.

Examples of Vector Fields:

 - The velocity of fluid flow inside a non-uniform cross-section.


 - Gravitational force on a body in space, represented by F_i = (G m₁ m₂ / rᵢ²) · (r / rᵢ).
 - Velocity of raindrops as they fall through the atmosphere.

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