Calculate a tensor as the sum of gradients and compute a surface integral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the computation of a stress tensor defined in terms of gradients and the evaluation of a surface integral over a sphere. Participants explore the mathematical formulation of the tensor and the implications of integrating it over a specified surface.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the stress tensor as ##\vec{\Pi}=\eta(\nabla{\vec{u}}+\nabla{\vec{u}}^T)## and provides a specific form for the vector field ##\vec{u}##, seeking validation of their result for ##\vec{\Pi}##.
  • The same participant expresses confusion regarding the evaluation of the surface integral ##\int_S\vec{\Pi} \cdot d\vec{S}##, questioning why their result appears to be zero.
  • Another participant suggests that the integral can be simplified by assuming a specific orientation for the angular velocity vector ##\hat{\omega}##, leading to a conclusion that the integral evaluates to zero due to symmetry.
  • A later reply challenges the initial participant's interpretation of the cross-product, indicating that the directionality of the vector must be considered, not just its magnitude.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the evaluation of the integral or the correctness of the initial calculations. Multiple viewpoints are presented regarding the interpretation of the cross-product and the implications for the integral's value.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the assumptions made about the vector field and the integration process, particularly concerning the directionality of the cross-product and the conditions under which the integral evaluates to zero.

Salmone
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I am trying to compute the stress tensor defined as ##\vec{\Pi}=\eta(\nabla{\vec{u}}+\nabla{\vec{u}}^T)## where ##T## indicates the transpose.

The vector field ##\vec{u}## is defined as follows: ##\vec{u}(\vec{r})=(\frac{a}{r})^3(\vec{\omega} \times \vec{r})## with ##a## being a constant, ##\eta## being a constant, ##\vec{r}## a position vector and ##\omega## the angular speed constant in modulus.

Doing calculations I've obtained ##\vec{\Pi}=-\frac{6\eta a^3}{r^4}\hat{r}(\vec{\omega} \times \vec{r})## with ##\hat{r}## being a unit vector.

First is this result right?

Then I want to compute a surface integral: I wanna compute ##\int_S\vec{\Pi} \cdot d\vec{S}## over a sphere of radius ##R>0## with ##d\vec{S}## being ##r^2sin(\theta)d\theta d\phi \hat{r}##.

##\hat{r}## point in the same direction of the radius of the sphere over which I'm integrating.

To do this I thought to compute the dot product as ##-\frac{6\eta a^3}{r^4}(\vec{\omega} \times \vec{r})\hat{r} \cdot \hat{r}r^2sin(\theta)d\theta d\phi=-\frac{6\eta a^3}{r^4}(\vec{\omega} \times \vec{r}) r^2sin(\theta)d\theta d\phi## then ##\vec{\omega} \times \vec{r}=\omega rsin(\theta)## and the integral becomes ##-\frac{6\eta a^3}{r}\omega\int_0^{2\pi}d\phi\int_0^{\pi}d\theta sin^2(\theta)## but this integral should be equal to zero.

Where am I wrong?
 
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Your integral is f(r)r^2 \int_0^{\pi} \sin \theta \int_0^{2\pi} (\vec \omega \times \vec r)\,d\phi\,d\theta. Without loss of generality, you can assume \hat\omega = \omega \hat z. Then \vec \omega \times \vec r = \omega(x \hat y - y \hat x). Integrating either x = r \cos \phi \sin \theta or y = r \sin \phi \sin \theta over a full period of \phi gives zero.
 
pasmith said:
Your integral is f(r)r^2 \int_0^{\pi} \sin \theta \int_0^{2\pi} (\vec \omega \times \vec r)\,d\phi\,d\theta. Without loss of generality, you can assume \hat\omega = \omega \hat z. Then \vec \omega \times \vec r = \omega(x \hat y - y \hat x). Integrating either x = r \cos \phi \sin \theta or y = r \sin \phi \sin \theta over a full period of \phi gives zero.
Sorry I really don't understand your answer. However, if I didn't nothing wrong, why my integral is different from zero? What's wrong with it?
 
Your error is in stating that \vec \omega \times \vec r = r \omega \sin \theta. That deals with the magnitude of the cross-product, but not its direction; that must also depend on \phi.

EDIT: Even the magnitude is only correct when \sin \theta \geq 0; outside of this range you must multiply by -1 to get the magnitude.
 
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