Chapter 9: Vector Calculus
Section 9.3: Differential Operators
Example 9.3.6
Change the Cartesian vector field F=x y i+x/y j to polar coordinates, and obtain its divergence in those coordinates. Then express the result in Cartesian coordinates and compare to the result in Example 9.3.5.
Solution
Mathematical Solution
In polar coordinates, the vector field F becomes G=r2⁢cos2θ⁢sin⁡θ+cos⁡θ−r2⁢cos⁡θ⁢sin2θ+cos2θsin⁡θ, as per the calculation in Example 9.2.9.
The divergence of the polar field V=fr,θ er+gr,θ eθ is given by ∇·V=f/r+fr+gθ/r.
Applying this to the field G then gives
∇·G
=rsin⁡θ−r⁢cos2θsin⁡θ−cos⁡θr⁢sin2θ
=rsinθ1−cos2θ−cosθr sin2θ
=r sinθ−cosθr sin2θ
Changing this expression to Cartesian coordinates gives y−x/y2, in agreement with Example 9.3.5.
Maple Solution - Interactive
Initialize
Tools≻Load Package: Student Vector Calculus
Loading Student:-VectorCalculus
Tools≻Tasks≻Browse: Calculus - Vector≻ Vector Algebra and Settings≻ Display Format for Vectors
Press the Access Settings button and select "Display as Column Vector"
Display Format for Vectors
Define the transformation between polar and Cartesian coordinates
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻T
r=x2+y2,θ=arctany,x→assign to a nameT
Define the vector field F and change to polar coordinates
Write the free vector whose components are those of F. Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Conversions≻To Vector Field
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Conversions≻Change Co-ordinate System (Complete the "Specify Coordinates" dialog as per figure to the right.)
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻G
x y,x/y = x⁢yxy→to Vector Fieldx⁢yxy→change coordinatesr2⁢cos⁡θ2⁢sin⁡θ+cos⁡θ−r2⁢cos⁡θ⁢sin⁡θ2+cos⁡θ2sin⁡θ→assign to a nameG
Obtain the divergence in polar coordinates
Write the name G and press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Divergence
Context Panel: Simplify≻Trig
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻q
G
→divergence
r2⁢cos⁡θ2⁢sin⁡θ−cos⁡θ+r2⁢sin⁡θ3−cos⁡θ3sin⁡θ2r
= simplify trig
−r2⁢cos⁡θ2⁢sin⁡θ−sin⁡θ⁢r2+cos⁡θr⁢sin⁡θ2
→assign to a name
q
Convert the divergence to Cartesian coordinates
Expression palette: Evaluation template Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Expand≻Expand
qx=a|f(x)T = −x2+y2⁢x2⁢yx2+y2−y⁢x2+y2+xx2+y2y2= expand y−xy2
Maple Solution - Coded
Load the Student VectorCalculus package and execute the BasisFormat command.
withStudent:-VectorCalculus:BasisFormatfalse:
Define the vector field F
Invoke the VectorField command.
F≔VectorFieldx y,x/y:
Change F to polar coordinates
Apply the MapToBasis command.
G≔MapToBasisF,polarr,θ
Apply the simplify command to the result of the Divergence command.
q≔simplifyDivergenceG
Change the divergence from polar to Cartesian coordinates
Apply the expand command to the result of the change of variables, imposed via the eval command.
expandevalq,r=x2+y2,θ=arctany,x = y−xy2
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