Schwere, Elektricität und Magnetismus:401

VECTOR ANALYSIS.

<section begin=t1 /> any closed curve within the space, let us imagine the curve to be surrounded by an infinitely slender tube of normal section $dz$, which may be either constant or variable. We may satisfy the equation $\mathrm{\nabla }\cdot \delta \omega =0$ by making $\delta \omega =0$ outside of the tube, and $\delta \omega dz=\delta a\frac{d\rho }{ds}$ within it, $\delta a$ denoting an arbitrary infinitesimal constant, $\rho$ the position-vector, and $ds$ an element of the length of the tube or closed curve. We have then

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whence

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We may express this result by saying that $u\omega$ is the derivative of a single-valued scalar function of position in space. (See No. 67.)

Vorlage:IdtIf for certain parts of the surface the normal component of $\omega$ is not given for each point, but only the surface-integral of $\omega$ for each such part, then the above reasoning will apply not only to closed curves, but also to curves commencing and ending in such a part of the surface. The primitive of $u\omega$ will then have a constant value in each such part.

Vorlage:IdtIf the space extends to infinity and there is no special condition respecting the value of $\omega$ at infinite distances, the primitive of $u\omega$ will have a constant value at infinite distances within the space or within each separate continuous part of it.

Vorlage:IdtIf we except those cases in which the problem has no definite meaning because the data are such that the integral $\int u\omega \cdot \omega dv$ must be infinite, it is evident that a minimum must always exist, and (on account of the quadratic form of the integral) that it is unique. That the conditions just found are sufficient to insure this minimum, is evident from the consideration that any allowable values of $\delta \omega$ may be made up of such values as we have supposed. Therefore, there will be one and only one vector function of position in space which satisfies these conditions together with those enumerated at the beginning of this number.

Vorlage:Idtb. In the second place, let the vector $\omega$ be subject to the conditions that $\mathrm{\nabla }\times \omega$ is given throughout the space, and that the tangential component of $\omega$ is given at the bounding surface. The solution is that

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and, if the space is periphractic, that the surface-integral of $u\omega$ vanishes for each of the bounding surfaces.

Vorlage:IdtThe existence of the minimum requires that

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