[Math] Conservative fields and not simply connected domains

multivariable-calculus

I'm given a continuously differentiable $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ , we define a function $\vec{F}:\mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^2 $ by:
$\vec{F}( \vec{x} ) =f(|| \vec{x} || ) \vec{x} $ .

The question is:
Prove that $\vec{F}$ is a conservative field and find its potential.

I guess that if I'll find a potential , it will prove that the function is conservative.
But, how can I find a potential for this vector field ? (I guess it will depend on $f$ in an integral manner)

What do you think ? Is there any difference between the $\mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^2$ case and $\mathbb{R}^3 \to \mathbb{R}^3 $ (i.e.- will the same argument work in other dimensions?)

Thanks !

Best Answer

A hint:

The given field is rotationally symmetric. It is not unreasonable to assume that a possible potential $(x,y)\mapsto V(x,y)$ is rotationally symmetric as well. Therefore make the "Ansatz" $$V(x,y)=v\bigl(\sqrt{x^2+y^2}\bigr)$$ with a function $v$ of one variable, and check whether this leads somewhere.

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