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The curl of a vector field $\vec A$ in spherical coordinates is given by $$\nabla \times \overrightarrow{\mathrm{A}}=\frac{1}{r^{2} \sin \theta} \left| \begin{array}{ccc} \widehat{a}_{\mathrm{r}} & r \widehat{\mathrm{a}}_{\theta} & \operatorname{rsin} \theta \widehat{\mathrm{a}}_{\phi} \\ \frac{\partial}{\partial r} & \frac{\partial}{\partial \theta} & \frac{\partial}{\partial \phi} \\ \mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{r}} & \mathrm{rA}_{\theta} & \mathrm{r} \sin \theta \mathrm{A}_{\phi} \end{array}\right|$$

Source here, screenshot here.

What is the mathematical reasoning behind the $\frac{1}{r^2sin\theta}$ when finding the curl of a vector in spherical coordinates? How would we derive it?

Calvin Khor
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Woody
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  • @K.defaoite unfortunately OP is asking about spherical coordinates, for which I am unable to find an equivalent link. to OP: the derivation in the answer there works also for spherical coordinates, but you have to of course change the specific details from cylindrical to spherical. Also see here – Calvin Khor Feb 13 '21 at 05:36
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    This youtube video along with the explanation from the other post resolved my confusion, but will take a bit of time to digest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw3zDVeUAEg – Woody Feb 13 '21 at 05:41

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