Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A vector field is a mathematical concept that assigns a vector to each point in space. It describes the direction and magnitude of a physical quantity at every point.
Related terms
Gradient: The gradient of a scalar field represents the rate of change of that field in different directions.
Flux: Flux measures how much of a vector field passes through a given surface.
Divergence: Divergence measures how much a vector field spreads out or converges at each point.