The vector field v is derivable from the potential Φ = 2xy + zx. Find v.
If v is derivable from the potential Φ, then v = ∇Φ and so
v=∇ϕ=(2y+z)i+2xj+xkThis vector field is conservative as is easily verified by finding curl v. In fact,
∇×v=∣∣∣∣∣∣∣i∂x∂2y+zj∂y∂2xk∂z∂x∣∣∣∣∣∣∣= 0i−(1−1)j+(2−2)k
= 0
Indeed, recall from Example 26.10 that curl (grad Φ) is identically zero for any Φ.