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5Divergence Theorem

The document explains the concept of flux of a vector field A through a surface S, defined as the surface integral of A with respect to the outward unit normal. It also describes the divergence of a vector field, which measures the net outward flux per unit volume, and provides mathematical expressions for divergence in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates. Finally, it introduces the Divergence (Gauss) Theorem, stating that the total outward flux through a closed surface equals the volume integral of the divergence of the field.

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Eslam Nasr
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3 views3 pages

5Divergence Theorem

The document explains the concept of flux of a vector field A through a surface S, defined as the surface integral of A with respect to the outward unit normal. It also describes the divergence of a vector field, which measures the net outward flux per unit volume, and provides mathematical expressions for divergence in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates. Finally, it introduces the Divergence (Gauss) Theorem, stating that the total outward flux through a closed surface equals the volume integral of the divergence of the field.

Uploaded by

Eslam Nasr
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FLUX

The surface integral of a vector field A( x, y, z ) defined


everywhere on surface S and over S is called the flux of A
through S. So,

∫∫
Flux of A = ψ = A.aˆn ds
Where, aˆn is the positive outward unit normal.

Fig. 1 The flux of a vector field A through S.

If S is a closed surface, we denote the flux as

∫∫ A.aˆn ds
Ψ=w
s
The flux of A can be negative or positive.
In the study of vector fields it is convenient to represent
field variations graphically by field lines which are called
flux lines or stream lines. The magnitude of the field at a
point is depicted either by the density or by the length of
the directed lines in the vicinity of the point.
DIVERGENCE OF A VECTOR FIELD

The divergence of a vector field A at a point is defined as


the net outward (or inward) flux of A per unit volume as the
volume about the point tends to zero. Or,

v∫ A.aˆ ds
n

div A  lim ΔV →0 s
= ∇. A
Δv
Here S is the surface bounding ΔV .

⎛ ∂ ∂ ∂ ⎞ ⎛ ∂A ∂A ∂A ⎞
∇. A = ⎜ aˆ x + aˆ y + aˆ z ⎟ . A = ⎜ x + y + z ⎟
⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎠ ⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎠

So, in Cartesian Coordinates:

⎛ ∂A ∂A ∂A ⎞
∇. A = ⎜ x + y + z ⎟
⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎠

In Cylindrical Coordinates:

⎛1 ∂ 1 ∂Aφ ∂Az ⎞
∇. A = ⎜
ρ ∂ρ
( ρ Aρ ) +
ρ ∂φ
+
∂
⎟
⎝ z ⎠

In Spherical Coordinates:
⎛1 ∂ 1 ∂ 1 ∂Aφ ⎞
∇. A = ⎜ 2 ( r 2 Ar ) + ( sin θ Aθ ) + ⎟
⎝ r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ ⎠
DIVERGENCE (GAUSS) THEOREM

Consider a volume v bounded by a surface S. Assume that


we have a vector field A defined everywhere in v and on S.
Then we define the Divergence (Gauss) Theorem as:

v∫ A.aˆ ds = ∫ ∇. Adv
s
n
v
The Divergence Theorem states that the total outward flux
of a vector field A , through the closed surface S is the same
as the volume integral of the divergence of A .

If a vector field is divergenceless, then it is said to be


solenoidal. i. e. if ∇. A = 0 , then A is solenoidal.

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