What is a vector field. How is it different from a scalar field?



Mathematics

Release date:2025/3/15         

In Japanese
Prerequisite knowledge, related knowledge
Matrix
How to draw a vector field


■What is a vector field? Difference from a scalar field

A vector field is a field that has vector components at a certain point on the coordinate system. In contrast, a scalar field is a field that has only scalar values at a certain point on the coordinate system.


■How to express a vector field

A vector field can be expressed as follows.


It can also be expressed as a matrix as shown below.


■Example of a vector field

Various vector fields can be expressed by changing the coefficients of the matrix as shown below.


■How to draw a vector field

How to draw a vector field using Python is explained here.









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Mathematics