vector field
A 'vector field' is a mathematical tool essential for representing various physical phenomena, like fluid flow and electromagnetic fields, by assigning vectors to points in space.
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Definition
C1General
(technical, academic)A function that assigns a vector to each point in a space.
Example
- In a vector field, each point in the space has a corresponding vector indicating direction and magnitude.
- The weather map showed a vector field representing wind speeds and directions across the region.
C1Physics
(technical)A representation of physical quantities, such as velocity or force, at each point in a space.
Example
- The electric field around a charged object can be visualized as a vector field.
- Meteorologists use vector fields to represent wind patterns in the atmosphere.
C2Differential Geometry
(technical, academic)A function that associates a vector in the tangent plane to each point on a surface.
Example
- In differential geometry, vector fields help describe the curvature of surfaces.
- The vector field on the surface of the sphere showed how the tangent vectors changed direction.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "vector field":