Student handout: Visualising the Gradient

Static Fields 2021
Students use prepared Sage code to predict the gradient from contour graphs of 2D scalar fields.
What students learn
  • Model the gradient using a computer algebra system.
  • Visualize the geometric relationship between the gradient and the contours plot of a scalar field
  • Clarify how gradients look in two and three dimensions.

Use the Sage code at Using Technology to Visualize the Gradient to plot scalar functions of two variables, predict what a plot of the gradient looks like, and then check it.


Author Information
Corinne Manogue, Tevian Dray
Keywords
Learning Outcomes