A vector derivative is a derivative taken with respect to a vector field. Vector derivatives are extremely important in
physics, where they arise throughout fluid mechanics, electricity and magnetism,
elasticity, and many other areas of theoretical and applied physics.
The following table summarizes the names and notations for various vector derivatives.
Vector derivatives can be combined in different ways, producing sets of identities that are also very important in physics.
Vector derivative identities involving the curl
include
In Cartesian coordinates
In spherical coordinates,
Vector derivative identities involving the divergence
include
In Cartesian coordinates,
In spherical coordinates,
By symmetry,
Vector derivative identities involving the gradient
include
Vector second derivative identities include
This very important second derivative is known as the Laplacian.
Identities involving combinations of vector derivatives include
where (64) and (65)
follow from divergence rule (2).
Gradshteyn, I. S. and Ryzhik, I. M. "Vector Field Theorem." Ch. 10 in Tables of Integrals, Series, and Products, 6th ed. San
Diego, CA: Academic Press, pp. 1081-1092, 2000.
Morse, P. M. and Feshbach, H. "The Differential Operator " and "Table
of Useful Vector and Dyadic Equations." In Methods of Theoretical Physics, Part I. New York: McGraw-Hill,
pp. 31-44, 50-54, and 114-115, 1953.
|