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curl

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curl, In mathematics, a differential operator that can be applied to a vector-valued function (or vector field) in order to measure its degree of local spinning. It consists of a combination of the function’s first partial derivatives. One of the more common forms for expressing it is: math composition for the article "curl" in which v is the vector field (v1, v2, v3), and v1, v2, v3 are functions of the variables x, y, and z, and i, j, and k are unit vectors in the positive x, y, and z directions, respectively. In fluid mechanics, the curl of the fluid velocity field (i.e., vector velocity field of the fluid itself) is called the vorticity or the rotation because it measures the field’s degree of rotation around a given point.

This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch.