Calculation of a surface integral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of a surface integral of the vector field $$F(x,y,z)=(0,0,z)$$ over the unit sphere, utilizing a specific parametrization. Participants explore the implications of the surface orientation defined by the cross product of the tangent vectors and the integration process involved in evaluating the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Participants discuss the parametrization of the unit sphere and the vector field to be integrated.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about how to apply the orientation defined by the normal vector $$T_u \times T_v$$ in the context of the surface integral.
  • There is a verification of the formula for the tangent vector $$T(u,v)=(\sin u \cos v, \sin u \sin v , \cos u)$$ and its derivatives $$T_u$$ and $$T_v$$.
  • One participant calculates the cross product $$T_u \times T_v$$ and proposes an evaluation of the surface integral, leading to a specific result of $$\frac{4\pi}{3}$$.
  • Another participant references Gauss's theorem to relate the surface integral to a volume integral, suggesting a connection between the two approaches.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the steps involved in calculating the surface integral and the correctness of the derived result, but there is ongoing exploration of the implications of Gauss's theorem and the relationship between the surface and volume integrals.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the parametrization and the orientation of the surface may not be fully articulated, and the discussion includes various interpretations of the integral's evaluation.

mathmari
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Hey! :o

I want to calculate the surface integral of $$F(x,y,z)=(0,0,z)$$ on the unit sphere with parametrization
$$x=\sin u \cos v, \ y=\sin u \sin v , \ z=\cos u \\ 0\leq u\leq \pi, \ 0\leq v\leq 2\pi$$
with positive direction the direction of $T_u\times T_v$. Could you give some hints how to calculate this? (Wondering)

I haven't really understood how we use the fact that the positive direction is the direction of $T_u\times T_v$...

Do we maybe calculate the following?

$$\int_{\Phi}F\cdot ds=\int_SF\cdot T_u\times T_v \ dvdu$$ ? (Wondering)
 
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mathmari said:
Hey! :o

I want to calculate the surface integral of $$F(x,y,z)=(0,0,z)$$ on the unit sphere with parametrization
$$x=\sin u \cos v, \ y=\sin u \sin v , \ z=\cos u \\ 0\leq u\leq \pi, \ 0\leq v\leq 2\pi$$
with positive direction the direction of $T_u\times T_v$. Could you give some hints how to calculate this? (Wondering)

I haven't really understood how we use the fact that the positive direction is the direction of $T_u\times T_v$...

Hey mathmari! (Smile)

The orientation of a surface is the direction that we give to the normal vector, meaning we have 2 choices.
When we pick $T_u\times T_v$ we get a normal vector that has a specific direction, which serves to identify the orientation. (Nerd)

Do we maybe calculate the following?

$$\int_{\Phi}F\cdot ds=\int_SF\cdot T_u\times T_v \ dvdu$$ ? (Wondering)

Yep! (Nod)
 
I like Serena said:
The orientation of a surface is the direction that we give to the normal vector, meaning we have 2 choices.
When we pick $T_u\times T_v$ we get a normal vector that has a specific direction, which serves to identify the orientation. (Nerd)

Ah... I see... (Thinking) Is the formula of $T$ the following? $$T(u,v)=(\sin u \cos v, \sin u \sin v , \cos u)$$ ? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
Ah... I see... (Thinking) Is the formula of $T$ the following? $$T(u,v)=(\sin u \cos v, \sin u \sin v , \cos u)$$ ? (Wondering)

Yes. (Nod)
 
So, we have the following:

$$T_u=(\cos u \cos v, \cos u \sin v , -\sin u) \\ T_v=(-\sin u \sin v, \sin u \cos v , 0)$$

Therefore, $$T_u\times T_v=\left (\cos v \sin^2u, \sin^2u \sin v, \cos u \sin u\right )$$

So, $$\int_{\Phi}F\cdot ds=\int_SF\cdot T_u\times T_v \ dvdu=\int_0^{\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \cos^2 u \sin u \ dvdu=2\pi \int_0^{\pi} \cos^2 u \sin u \ du=2\pi \left [-\frac{\cos^3u}{3}\right ]_0^{\pi}=\frac{4\pi}{3}$$

Is this correct? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
So, $$\int_{\Phi}F\cdot ds=\int_SF\cdot T_u\times T_v \ dvdu=\int_0^{\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \cos^2 u \sin u \ dvdu=2\pi \int_0^{\pi} \cos^2 u \sin u \ du=2\pi \left [-\frac{\cos^3u}{3}\right ]_0^{\pi}=\frac{4\pi}{3}$$

Is this correct? (Wondering)

Let's see... (Thinking)
... according to Gauss's theorem we have:
$$\oint_{\Phi}F\cdot ds = \int_{V(\Phi)} \nabla \cdot F dV = \int_{V(\Phi)} dV = \frac 43\pi
$$
Yes! I think it is correct! (Happy)
 
I like Serena said:
Yes! I think it is correct! (Happy)

Great! Thanks a lot! (Happy)
 

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