Calculus, 10th Edition (Anton)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 0-47064-772-8
ISBN 13: 978-0-47064-772-1

Chapter 15 - Topics In Vector Calculus - 15.1 Vector Fields - Exercises Set 15.1 - Page 1092: 7

Answer

$\mathbf{r}\cdot\mathbf{F} = x\,y + y(-x) = 0.$ As a result, the arrows form a circular flow around the origin, and although the vectors are not drawn to scale, their directions are in correct proportion, and do not intersect.

Work Step by Step

The given vector field is $\mathbf{F}(x,y)=y\,\mathbf{i}-x\,\mathbf{j}$. At each point $(x,y)$, the corresponding vector is $\langle y,-x\rangle$. This means that the vector at a point is obtained by rotating the position vector $\mathbf{r}=\langle x,y\rangle$ by $90^\circ$ in the clockwise direction. Therefore, each vector in the field is perpendicular to the position vector because $\mathbf{r}\cdot\mathbf{F} = x\,y + y(-x) = 0.$ As a result, the arrows form a circular flow around the origin, and although the vectors are not drawn to scale, their directions are in correct proportion, and do not intersect.
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