Concept

Vector operator

A vector operator is a differential operator used in vector calculus. Vector operators include the gradient, divergence, and curl: Gradient is a vector operator that operates on a scalar field, producing a vector field. Divergence is a vector operator that operates on a vector field, producing a scalar field. Curl is a vector operator that operates on a vector field, producing a vector field. Defined in terms of del: The Laplacian operates on a scalar field, producing a scalar field: Vector operators must always come right before the scalar field or vector field on which they operate, in order to produce a result. E.g. yields the gradient of f, but is just another vector operator, which is not operating on anything. A vector operator can operate on another vector operator, to produce a compound vector operator, as seen above in the case of the Laplacian.

Official source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_operator

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Related courses (3)

Related lectures (16)

Related publications (2)

Homogenization of Multiscale Eddy Current Problem by Localized Orthogonal Decomposition Method

Xiaotao Ren

A homogenization approach for the solution of multiscale eddy current problem is proposed. The method is based on the subspace decomposition and it involves a coarse space and a nested fine space. The homogenized problem is posed in the coarse space with t ...

IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC2019

Some linear and nonlinear problems involving differential forms

Saugata Bandyopadhyay

In this thesis, we study some linear and nonlinear problems involving differential forms. We begin by studying the problem of pullbacks which asks the following question: for two given differential forms, if one is the pullback of the other via a diffeomor ...

EPFL2007

Related concepts (7)

Del

Del, or nabla, is an operator used in mathematics (particularly in vector calculus) as a vector differential operator, usually represented by the nabla symbol ∇. When applied to a function defined on a one-dimensional domain, it denotes the standard derivative of the function as defined in calculus. When applied to a field (a function defined on a multi-dimensional domain), it may denote any one of three operations depending on the way it is applied: the gradient or (locally) steepest slope of a scalar field (or sometimes of a vector field, as in the Navier–Stokes equations); the divergence of a vector field; or the curl (rotation) of a vector field.

Divergence

In vector calculus, divergence is a vector operator that operates on a vector field, producing a scalar field giving the quantity of the vector field's source at each point. More technically, the divergence represents the volume density of the outward flux of a vector field from an infinitesimal volume around a given point. As an example, consider air as it is heated or cooled. The velocity of the air at each point defines a vector field. While air is heated in a region, it expands in all directions, and thus the velocity field points outward from that region.

Vector calculus

Vector calculus, or vector analysis, is concerned with differentiation and integration of vector fields, primarily in 3-dimensional Euclidean space The term "vector calculus" is sometimes used as a synonym for the broader subject of multivariable calculus, which spans vector calculus as well as partial differentiation and multiple integration. Vector calculus plays an important role in differential geometry and in the study of partial differential equations.

Graph Chatbot

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.