Vector Analysis & Visualization

In the Wolfram Language, n-dimensional vectors are represented by lists of length n.

Calculate the dot product of two vectors:

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{1, 2, 3}.{a, b, c}

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Type ESCcrossESC for the cross product symbol:

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{1, 2, c}\[Cross]{a, b, c}

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Calculate a vector’s norm:

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Norm[{1, 1, 1}]

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Find the projection of a vector onto the x axis:

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Projection[{8, 6, 7}, {1, 0, 0}]

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Find the angle between two vectors:

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VectorAngle[{1, 0}, {0, 1}]

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Calculate the gradient of a vector:

(For the ∇ symbol, use ESCgradESC.)

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\!\(
\*SubscriptBox[\(\[Del]\), \({x, y}\)]\({
\*SuperscriptBox[\(x\), \(2\)] + y, x + 
\*SuperscriptBox[\(y\), \(2\)]}\)\)

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Compute the divergence or curl of a vector field:

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Div[{f[x, y, z], g[x, y, z], h[x, y, z]}, {x, y, z}]

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The Wolfram Language has 2D and 3D functions suitable for visualizing vector fields:

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VectorPlot[{y, -x}, {x, -3, 3}, {y, -3, 3}]

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VectorPlot3D[{y, -x, z}, {x, -3, 3}, {y, -3, 3}, {z, -3, 3}]

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Plot a vector field over a slice surface:

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SliceVectorPlot3D[{y, -x, z}, "CenterPlanes", {x, -2, 2}, {y, -2, 
  2}, {z, -2, 2}]

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