Vector calculus plays a crucial role in physics by providing the mathematical tools to analyze and describe physical phenomena involving fields and their variations. It encompasses operations like gradient, divergence, curl, and the Laplacian, which help quantify changes in scalar and vector fields. These tools are essential in electromagnetism, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics, enabling precise formulation of laws such as Gauss's and Stokes' theorems, thus bridging mathematics and physical intuition.