Del

In vector calculus, del is a vector differential operator represented by the symbol . Another name of this symbol is the nabla, after a Hebrew stringed instrument with a similar shape, and so the operator is also called the nabla operator. Yet another name is Atled, because it is a reversed Delta.

It is a shorthand for the vector:

The symbol was introduced by William Rowan Hamilton.

The operator can be applied to scalar fields ( $φ$ ) or vector fields ( ), to give:

• Gradient:

• Divergence:

• Curl:

• Laplacian:

Del

Further reading