Determine whether the vector field F is conservative or not. If it is, find its potential function F(x,y,z)=xi+y^2 j+zk

Ismael Molina

Ismael Molina

Answered question

2022-07-17

Determine whether the vector field F is conservative or not. If it is, find its potential function (i.e., find a real-valued function V such that F = -grad V).
F ( x , y , z ) = x i + y 2 j + z k

Answer & Explanation

grocbyntza

grocbyntza

Beginner2022-07-18Added 25 answers

Given F ( x , y , z ) = x i + y 2 j + z k
Vector field F is conservative if curl F=0
curl F= × F
= | i j k x y z x y 2 z | = i ( y ( z ) z ( y 2 ) ) j ( x ( z ) z ( x ) ) + k ( x ( y 2 ) y ( x ) ) = i ( 0 ) j ( 0 ) + k ( 0 ) = 0
Hence the vector field F is conservative
Now find the potential function
That is find a real valued function V such that F=-grad V
F = V here  F ( x , y , z ) = x i + y 2 j + z k so,  x i + y 2 j + z k = V V x ( x , y , z ) = x , V y ( x , y , z ) = y 2 , V z ( x , y , z ) = z V ( x , y , z ) = V x ( x , y , z ) d x = x d x = x 2 2 + g ( y , z ) and  V ( x , y , z ) = V y ( x , y , z ) d x = y 2 d y = y 3 3 + h ( x , z ) and  V ( x , y , z ) = V z ( x , y , z ) d x = z d y = z 2 2 + k ( x , z ) on combining the above  V ( x , y , z ) = x 2 2 y 3 3 z 2 2 Hence the potential function is  V ( x , y , z ) = x 2 2 y 3 3 z 2 2

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