Editing Vector potential (section)

{{Short description|Mathematical concept in vector calculus}}
{{About|the general concept in the mathematical theory of vector fields|the vector potential in electromagnetism|Magnetic vector potential|the vector potential in fluid mechanics|Stream function}}

In [[vector calculus]], a '''vector potential''' is a [[vector field]] whose [[Curl (mathematics)|curl]] is a given vector field. This is analogous to a ''[[scalar potential]]'', which is a scalar field whose [[gradient]] is a given vector field.

Formally, given a vector field <math>\mathbf{v}</math>, a ''vector potential'' is a <math>C^2</math> vector field <math>\mathbf{A}</math> such that 
<math display="block"> \mathbf{v} = \nabla \times \mathbf{A}.  </math>