Can the Chain Rule be Applied to Show the Identity in Vector Calculus Homework?

In summary, the conversation is about proving that the divergence of a vector field \widetilde{F}(r) is equal to the dot product of the unit vector \hat{r} and the gradient of \widetilde{F}(r) with respect to r. This can be done using the chain rule.
  • #1
yy205001
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Homework Statement


[itex]\widetilde{F}[/itex](r)=F1(r)i+F2(r)j+F3(r)k
[itex]\hat{r}[/itex]=r/r
r(x,y,z)=xi+yj+zk, r=abs(r)=sqrt(x2+y2+z2)
(Hint: The chain rule will be helpful for this question.)

Show that:
[itex]\nabla[/itex][itex]\cdot[/itex]F = [itex]\hat{r}[/itex][itex]\cdot[/itex]dF/dr.



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


My attempt:
First, [itex]\nabla[/itex][itex]\cdot[/itex]F=(dF1/dr,dF2/dr,dF3/dr)

Then, Start on the RHS.
[itex]\hat{r}[/itex][itex]\cdot[/itex]dF/dr
=[itex]\hat{r}[/itex][itex]\cdot[/itex](dF1/dr,dF2/dr,dF3/dr)
=((x,y,z)/r)[itex]\cdot[/itex](dF1/dr,dF2/dr,dF3/dr)
Now, i use the chain rule here.
=((x,y,z)/r)[itex]\cdot[/itex](dF1/dx*dx/dr, dF2/dy*dy/dr, dF3/dz*dz/dr)

And i can't do further more here, can anyone help me on this?
Thanks in advanced!
 
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  • #2
yy205001 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


My attempt:
First, [itex]\nabla[/itex][itex]\cdot[/itex]F=(dF1/dr,dF2/dr,dF3/dr)

I'm pretty sure that's not how the gradient works.
First of all, the "definition" is
[tex]\vec\nabla = \left( \frac{d}{dx}, \frac{d}{dy}, \frac{d}{dz} \right)[/tex]

Secondly, there is a dot in between, which means that you should get a scalar and not a vector like you have written.
 
  • #3
ops! So my definition is wrong! That's why i can't do it further more!
I can prove it now!
thanks CompuChip
 

FAQ: Can the Chain Rule be Applied to Show the Identity in Vector Calculus Homework?

1. What is a vector calculus identity?

A vector calculus identity is an equation that describes a relationship between different vector quantities. It is used to simplify and manipulate vector equations in order to solve problems in physics and engineering.

2. What are some common vector calculus identities?

Some common vector calculus identities include the dot product identity, the cross product identity, and the triple product identity.

3. How is vector calculus identity used in real-world applications?

Vector calculus identity is used in a variety of real-world applications such as fluid mechanics, electromagnetism, and robotics. It allows for the analysis and modeling of complex vector quantities in these fields.

4. What are the benefits of learning vector calculus identity?

Learning vector calculus identity allows for a deeper understanding of vector concepts and their applications. It also provides a foundation for more advanced topics in mathematics and physics.

5. Are there any resources available for learning vector calculus identity?

Yes, there are many resources available for learning vector calculus identity, including textbooks, online tutorials, and video lectures. It is also helpful to practice solving problems and applying the identities in various contexts.

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