How to prove that a scalar potential exists if the curl of the vector point function is zero?

  • #1
immortalsameer13
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scalar potential can be obtained by integrating the vector point function whose curl is zero but how to arrive at this result that a potential exist
 
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  • #2
First show that if ##\mathrm{rot}\, v=0## then ##\int_Cv_xdx+v_ydy+v_zdz=0## for any closed curve ##C##. To do that
consider a 2-dimensional surface ##S## such that ##\partial S=C##
 
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  • #3
immortalsameer13 said:
scalar potential can be obtained by integrating the vector point function whose curl is zero but how to arrive at this result that a potential exist
Because the closed curve integral is zero, the one-way integral from one point to another has only one answer no matter which path is taken. So the one-way integral gives you a well-defined definition of the potential.

ADDED: Establish a starting point, ##p_0##, for the beginning of a path to any and all other points. The integral values from ##p_0## to the other points gives a well-defined potential at those points.
 
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