PH1101

Problem Set
Vector (Unit-1)
  
1. Three vectors A , B and C are given as
 ^ ^ ^  ^ ^ ^  ^ ^ ^
A  i  2 j  3 k , B  2 i  3 j  k , C  3 i  2 j  k
         
i) find (a) A. A, (b)( A B).C , (c) B B(d )( A B)  C
 
ii) find the projection of A on B
iii) find the volume of the parallelepiped generated by the above three vectors

2. Verify the following relation

        
A ( B C )  B( A.C )  C ( A. B)
(i) for any three vectors
(ii) for the vectors of problem 1.


        
3. Show that P  Q R   Q  R P   R  P Q   0
     

  
   
 
4. Under what conditions does A  B C  =  A B   C ?
   
5. Find the constant ‘a’ such that the vectors
𝑋⃗ =2𝑖̂ - 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂, 𝑌
⃗⃗ = 𝑖̂ +2 𝑗̂ -3 𝑘̂, 𝑍⃗ =3𝑖̂ +a 𝑗̂+5 𝑘̂ are coplanar.

2
6. Prove that (𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗ × 𝐶⃗) × (𝐶⃗ × 𝐴⃗) = {𝐴⃗. (𝐵
⃗⃗ ). (𝐵 ⃗⃗ × 𝐶⃗)} .

7. Show that the scalar triple product 𝐴⃗. (𝐵

⃗⃗ 𝑋𝐶⃗) is in absolute value equal to the volume of a
parallelepiped with sides 𝐴⃗ , 𝐵
⃗⃗ and 𝐶⃗ .

8. Find the volume of a parallelepiped with whose edges are

𝐴⃗ = 2 ⏞𝑖 − 3 ⏞𝑗 − 4 ⏞ ⃗⃗ = ⏞𝑖 + 2 ⏞𝑗 − ⏞
𝑘, 𝐵 𝑘 , 𝐶⃗ = 3 ⏞𝑖 − ⏞𝑗 + 2 ⏞
𝑘.

9. Prove that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

(𝐴 × 𝐵⃗⃗ ). (𝐶⃗ × 𝐷
⃗⃗) = (𝐴⃗. 𝐶⃗)(𝐵 ⃗⃗) − (𝐴⃗. 𝐷
⃗⃗ . 𝐷 ⃗⃗. 𝐶⃗)
⃗⃗)(𝐵

10. Prove that ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

(𝐴 × 𝐵⃗⃗ ) × (𝐶⃗ × 𝐷 ⃗⃗ (𝐴⃗. 𝐶⃗ × 𝐷
⃗⃗) = 𝐵 ⃗⃗) − 𝐴⃗(𝐵⃗⃗ . 𝐶⃗ × 𝐷⃗⃗ )
= 𝐶⃗(𝐴⃗. 𝐵 ⃗⃗ × 𝐷
⃗⃗) − 𝐷⃗⃗(𝐴⃗. 𝐵 ⃗⃗ × 𝐶⃗ )

⃗⃗
𝑏 ×𝑐⃗ 𝑐⃗×𝑎⃗⃗ 𝑎⃗⃗×𝑏 ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗′ ×𝑐
𝑏 ⃗⃗⃗⃗′
𝑎′ = 𝑎⃗⃗.𝑏⃗⃗×𝑐⃗ , ⃗⃗⃗
11. If ⃗⃗⃗ 𝑏 ′ = 𝑎⃗⃗.𝑏⃗⃗×𝑐⃗ , 𝑐⃗⃗⃗′ = 𝑎⃗⃗.𝑏⃗⃗×𝑐⃗ prove that 𝑎 = ′ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
′ ⃗⃗⃗⃗′
.
𝑎⃗⃗ .𝑏 ×𝑐
 𝑎′ , ⃗⃗⃗
12. Using the above expressions for ⃗⃗⃗ 𝑏 ′ , ⃗⃗⃗
𝑐 ′ in problem no. 11 show that ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗′ × ⃗⃗⃗
𝑎′ . (𝑏 𝑐 ′ ) = 1/𝑉
when 𝑎⃗. 𝑏⃗⃗ × 𝑐⃗ = 𝑉.

13. a) Show that   , the gradient of a scalar function φ points in the direction of maximum
change of φ.

b) Also show that |   | gives the slope of φ along this maximal direction.

14. Show that the gradient of constant surface  ( x, y, z)  c at any point on  points towards
the direction of the normal to the surface at that point.

15. Find a unit normal to the surface 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 = 4 at (2,-2, 3).


16. Find the gradient of | r | x 2  y 2  z 2 , the magnitude of the position vector. Comment on
your result.

17. Find the gradients of the following functions

(i) x 2  y 3  z 4 (ii) x 2 y 3 z 4

18. A surface is given as f ( x, y)  x 2  y 2  2  0 . Find  f at the points   
2 ,0 , 0, 2 , 1,1 and
comment on the results.

19. Find the unit normal vector at the point (1, 1, 1) on the surface x 2  y 2  z 2  3 .

20. Find the directional derivative of

∅ = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 4𝑥𝑧 2 at (1-2,-1) in the direction of 2 ̂𝑖 - 𝑗̂ -2 𝑘̂.

21. In what direction from the point (1, 3, 2) the change of

∅ = 2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑦 2 is maximum? What is the magnitude of the maximum?
2 2 2 2 2
22. Find the angle between the surfaces 𝑥 + 𝑦 +𝑧 = 9 and 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 3 at the point P (2,-
1,2).

23. Prove the following

⃗⃗ (1) = − 𝑟̂2 , ii) ∇
i) ∇ ⃗⃗𝑟 𝑛 = 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟⃗
𝑟 𝑟

24. Find the equation for the tangent plane to the surface 2𝑥𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦 − 4𝑥 = 7 at the point P (1,-
1, 2).

25. Calculate the divergence of the following functions.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
i) x 2 i  3xz 2 j  2 xz k ii) xy i  2 yz j  3zx k
 ^
 r
26. Calculate the divergence of E  and comment on the result you get.
2
r

27. A) Calculate the curl of the following functions

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
i)  y i x j ii) xj iii) x 2 i y 2 j z 2 k

B) Prove that
1
∇ 2 (𝑟 ) = 0

28. Determine the constant “a ” such that 𝑣⃗ = (𝑥 + 3𝑦)𝑖̂ + (𝑦 − 2𝑧)𝑗̂ + (x + 𝑎z)k̂ is solenoidal.
^
 r
29. Show that the function E  is an irrotational function.
2
r
30. A. Express the Cartesian co-ordinates (x, y, z) of a point P in space in terms of the spherical
polar coordinates (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜑).

B. Express the unit vector 𝑟̂ and 𝜑̂ using the Cartesian unit vectors 𝑖̂, 𝑗̂and 𝑘̂. Using these two
relations find the unit vector 𝜃̂.

C. Also find the inverse relations expressing Cartesian unit vectors in terms of spherical polar
unit vectors.

D. Show that the transformation from a Cartesian to spherical polar coordinate system is an
orthogonal transformation.
1
31. Find the gradient and Laplacian of 𝜑 = − 𝑟 in spherical polar coordinate. Also find the
𝑟̂
divergence of 𝐸⃗⃗ = 𝑟 2

32. A. Express the Cartesian co-ordinates (x, y, z) of a point P in space in terms of cylindrical
coordinates (𝜌, 𝜑, 𝑧).

B. Find the transformation matrix that transforms 𝜌̂, 𝜑̂ and 𝑧̂ in to Cartesian unit vectors 𝑖̂, 𝑗̂
and ̂𝑘.
C. Also find the inverse transformation that transforms Cartesian unit vectors in to cylindrical
unit vectors.

D. Show that the above transformation matrix is an orthogonal transformation.

^ ^ ^
33. State divergence theorem and verify it using the function y 2 i  (2 xy  z 2 ) j  2 yz k for a unit
cube having one corner coincident with the origin.
 ^ ^
34. State Stokes’ Theorem and verify it with (2 xz  3 y 2 ) j  2 yz 2 k for a square surface of unit
length in the Y-Z plane and having the left-bottom corner coincident with the origin.

35. Show that the divergence of a curl is zero

36. Show that the curl of a gradient is zero.

37. Show that 𝐹⃗ = (2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 3 )𝑖̂ + 𝑥 2 𝑗̂ + 3𝑥𝑧 2 k̂ is a conservative force field. Find the scalar potential and
the work done in moving from (1, -2, 1) to (3, 1, 4).

38. Evaluate ∬ 𝐴⃗ . 𝑛̂ 𝑑𝑆 where 𝐴⃗ = 18𝑧𝑖̂ − 12𝑗̂ + 3𝑦k̂ , S is that part of the plane 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 6𝑧 = 12
located in the 1st octant.

39. Express infinitesimal volume element in spherical polar coordinate system and find the volume of a
sphere of radius R using volume integral.

40. Express infinitesimal volume element in cylindrical coordinate system and find the volume of a
Cylinder of radius R and height H using volume integral.

41. Use surface integral to find the area of a sphere of radius R.

42. Let 𝜑 = 45 𝑥 2 𝑦 and let V denote the closed region bounded by the following planes

4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 8, 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑧 = 0. Evaluate ∭ 𝜑 𝑑𝑉.

(1,1,1)
43. If 𝐴⃗ = (3𝑥 2 + 6𝑦)𝑖̂ − 14𝑦𝑧𝑗̂ + 20𝑥𝑧 2 k̂ , evaluate ∫(0,0,0) 𝐴⃗ . ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑟 along the paths
(i) 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑡 2 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 ,
(ii) the straight line from (0,0,0) to (1,0,0) and then to (1,1,0) and then to (1,1,1).

44. Show that ∬𝑆 𝑟⃗ . 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆 = 3𝑉 where V is the volume enclosed the closed surface S.
45. Prove that
⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗ 𝑑𝑉 = ∬ 𝑛̂ × 𝐴⃗ 𝑑𝑆
a) ∭𝑉 ∇ 𝑆

b) ∮ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑟 × 𝐴⃗ = ∬𝑆 ( 𝑛̂ × ⃗∇⃗ ) × 𝐴⃗ 𝑑𝑆

1
46. Evaluate ∇ ⃗⃗. [𝑟∇⃗⃗ ( 3 )]
𝑟
47. Prove that ∇. ⃗⃗⃗⃗ (𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗ ) = 𝐵 ⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗) − 𝐴⃗. (∇
⃗⃗ . ( ∇ ⃗⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗ )
48. Prove that ⃗∇⃗ × ( ⃗∇⃗ × 𝐴⃗) = ⃗∇⃗(∇ ⃗⃗. 𝐴⃗) − ∇2 𝐴⃗
49. If 𝑣⃗ = 𝜔⃗⃗ × 𝑟⃗ show that Curl 𝑣⃗ = 2𝜔 ⃗⃗ where 𝜔⃗⃗ is a constant vector.
50. a) Find constants a, b, c so that the vector
𝑀⃗⃗⃗ = (𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑎𝑧)𝑖̂ + (𝑏𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 𝑧)𝑗̂ + (4𝑥 + 𝑐𝑦 + 2𝑧)𝑘̂ is irrotational.
b) Show that 𝑀 ⃗⃗⃗ can be expressed as a gradient of a scalar function.