Vector Potential

In vector calculus, a vector potential is a vector field whose curl is a given vector field. This is analogous to a scalar potential, which is a scalar field whose gradient is a given vector field.

Formally, given a vector field v, a vector potential is a vector field A such that

If a vector field v admits a vector potential A, then from the equality

(divergence of the curl is zero) one obtains

which implies that v must be a solenoidal vector field.

Read more about Vector Potential:  Theorem, Nonuniqueness

Famous quotes containing the word potential:

    Children are potentially free and their life directly embodies nothing save potential freedom. Consequently they are not things and cannot be the property either of their parents or others.
    Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831)