A vector operator
is a type of differential operator
used in vector calculus
. Vector operators are defined in terms of del
, and include the gradient
, and curl
The Laplacian is
Vector operators must always come right before the scalar field or vector field on which they operate, in order to produce a result. E.g.
yields the gradient of f
is just another vector operator, which is not operating on anything.
A vector operator can operate on another vector operator, to produce a compound vector operator, as seen above in the case of the Laplacian.
- H. M. Schey (1996) Div, Grad, Curl, and All That: An Informal Text on Vector Calculus, ISBN 0-393-96997-5.