1. Applied Electricity and Magnetism
ECE 3318
Applied Electricity and Magnetism
Spring 2017
Prof. David R. Jackson
ECE Dept.
Notes 13

2. Divergence – The Physical Concept
Find the flux going outward through a sphere of radius r .
Spherical region of uniform volume charge density

3. Divergence – The Physical Concept
From Gauss’s law:
(r < a)
(r > a)
Hence
(r < a)
(increasing with distance inside sphere)
(r > a)
(constant outside sphere)

4. Divergence -- Physical Concept (cont.)
Observation:
More flux lines are added as the radius increases (as long as we stay inside the charge).
The net flux out of a small volume V inside the charge is not zero.
Divergence is a mathematical way of describing this.

5. Divergence Definition
Definition of divergence:
Note: The limit exists independent of the shape of the volume (proven later).
A region with a positive divergence acts as a “source” of flux lines.
A region with a negative divergence acts as a “sink” of flux lines.

6. Gauss’s Law -- Differential Form
Apply divergence definition to a small volume inside a region of charge:
Gauss's law:
Hence

7. Gauss’s Law -- Differential Form (cont.)
The electric Gauss law in point (differential) form:
This is one of Maxwell’s equations.

8. Calculation of Divergence
Assume that the point of interest is at the origin for simplicity (the center of the cube).
The integrals over the 6 faces are approximated by “sampling” at the centers of the faces.

9. Calculation of Divergence (cont.)

10. Calculation of Divergence (cont.)
Hence

11. Calculation of Divergence (cont.)
Final result in rectangular coordinates:

12. The del operator is only defined in rectangular coordinates.
This is a vector operator.
Examples of derivative operators:
Note:
The del operator is only defined in rectangular coordinates.
scalar
vector

13. Divergence Expressed with del Operator
Now consider:
Hence
This is the same as the divergence.

14. Divergence with del Operator (cont.)

15. Summary of Divergence Formulas
Rectangular:
See Appendix A.2 in the Hayt & Buck book for a general derivation that holds in any coordinate system.
Cylindrical:
Spherical:

16. Maxwell’s Equations
(Maxwell’s equations in point or differential form)
Faraday’s law
Ampere’s law
Electric Gauss law
Magnetic Gauss law
Divergence appears in two of Maxwell’s equations.
Note: There is no magnetic charge density!
(Magnetic lines of flux must therefore form closed loops.)

17. Example
Evaluate the divergence of the electric flux vector inside and outside a sphere of uniform volume charge density, and verify that the answer is what is expected from the electric Gauss law.
r < a
This agrees with the electric Gauss law.

18. This agrees with the electric Gauss law.
Example (cont.)
r > a
This agrees with the electric Gauss law.

19. A = arbitrary vector function
Divergence Theorem
A = arbitrary vector function
In words:
The volume integral of "flux per volume" equals the total flux!

20. Divergence Theorem (cont.)
Proof
The volume is divided up into many small cubes.
Note: The point rn is the center of cube n.

21. Divergence Theorem (cont.)
From the definition of divergence: rn
Hence:

22. Divergence Theorem (cont.)
Consider two adjacent cubes: 1 2
is opposite on the two faces.
Hence, the surface integral cancels on all INTERIOR faces.

23. Divergence Theorem (cont.)
But
Hence
(proof complete)

24. A is constant on the front and back faces.
Example
Given:
Verify the divergence theorem using this region.
Dimensions in meters
Note:
A is constant on the front and back faces. so

25. Note on Divergence Definition
Is this limit independent of the shape of the volume?
Use the divergence theorem for RHS:
Small arbitrary-shaped volume
Hence, the limit is the same regardless of the shape of the limiting volume.

26. Gauss’s Law (Differential to integral form)
We can convert the differential form into the integral form by
using the divergence theorem.
Integrate both sides over a volume:
Apply the divergence theorem to the LHS:
Use the definition of Qencl :

27. Gauss’s Law (Summary of two forms)
Integral (volume) form of Gauss’s law
Definition of divergence + Gauss's law
Divergence theorem
Differential (point) form of Gauss’s law
Note: All of Maxwell’s equations have both a point (differential) and an integral form.