Computing line integral using Stokes' theorem

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around computing a line integral using Stokes' theorem, specifically involving the curl of a vector field and its relation to a surface integral. The problem context includes evaluating integrals over a specified region in the xy-plane and considering the implications of different values for z.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of Stokes' theorem and question the choice of surface and the value of z in the integral. There is discussion about the independence of the result from the value of z and the necessity of using Stokes' theorem for this problem.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights and alternative approaches, noting that the integral yields the same result regardless of the chosen value for z. Questions remain about specific steps in the calculations and the treatment of certain terms in the integrals.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of consensus on the necessity of Stokes' theorem for this problem, and participants are examining the implications of different assumptions regarding the surface and the variable z.

WMDhamnekar
MHB
Messages
378
Reaction score
30
Homework Statement
Compute ## \oint_C x^2z dx + 3xdy -y^3 dz ## where C is the unit circle ##x^2 +y^2 =1## oriented counter-clockwise
Relevant Equations
##\int_C f\cdot dr = \iint\limits_\Sigma curl(f)\cdot n d\sigma##
##curl([x^2z, 3x , -y^3],[x,y,z]) =[-3y^2 ,x^2,3]##
The unit normal vector to the surface ##z(x,y)=x^2+y^2## is ##n= \frac{-2xi -2yj +k}{\sqrt{1+4x^2 +4y^2}}##
##[-3y^2,x^2,3]\cdot n= \frac{-6x^2y +6xy^2}{\sqrt{1+4x^2 + 4y^2}}##
Since ##\Sigma## can be parametrized as ##r(x,y) = xi + yj +(x^2 +y^2)k## for (x,y) in the region ##D = \{(x,y): x^2 + y^2 \leq 1\}## then,

##\begin{align*}\iint\limits_{\Sigma} (curl f) \cdot n d\sigma &= \iint\limits_{D} curl f \cdot n \parallel \frac{\partial r}{\partial x} \times \frac{\partial r}{\partial y}\parallel dA\\
&=\iint\limits_{D} 3 - 2x^2y + 6xy^2 dA\\
&= \int_0^{2*\pi}\int_0^1 (3 - 2r^3 \cos^2{(\theta)}\sin{(\theta)} + 6r^3\cos{(\theta)}\sin^2{(\theta)})r dr d\theta \\
&= 3\pi
\end {align*}##

But the answer provided by author is ##3\pi## How is that? Where I am wrong?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You say that the integral is taken over the curve x^2 + y^2 = 1, but you don't specify a value for z; is z = 0 intended? The answer seems to be consistent with that, but your choice of surface has z = 1 on x^2 + y^2 = 1. Is there a reason why you did not use the surface \{ x^2 + y^2 \leq 1, z = 1 \} with unit normal \mathbf{k}?

Looking at the integral you attempted, you should have <br /> \iint_D 3 - 2x^2 y + 6xy^2\,dA = \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 (3 - 2r^3 \cos^2 \theta \sin \theta + 6r^3 \cos \theta \sin^2 \theta)r\,dr\,d\theta. Have another go at it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: WMDhamnekar
I got the answer ##3\pi## using z=1. If I take z=0, that answer also would be ## 3\pi##.

z is the function of (x,y). ## x^2 + y^2 =1##

So, I took z = 1
 
Last edited:
It is not actually necesary to use Stokes' Theorem here; assuming z is constant on C we have <br /> \begin{split}<br /> \int_C x^2z\,dx + 3x\,dy - y^3\,dz &amp;= \int_C x^2z\,dx + 3x\,dy \\<br /> &amp;= \int_0^{2\pi} -z \cos^2 \theta \sin \theta + 3\cos^2 \theta\,d\theta \\<br /> &amp;= \int_0^{2\pi} -z\tfrac{1}{2}(1 + \cos 2\theta) \sin \theta + \tfrac{3}{2}(1 + \cos 2 \theta)\,d\theta \\<br /> &amp;= \int_0^{2\pi} \tfrac 32\,d\theta \\<br /> &amp;= 3\pi\end{split} independent of z.
 
pasmith said:
It is not actually necesary to use Stokes' Theorem here; assuming z is constant on C we have <br /> \begin{split}<br /> \int_C x^2z\,dx + 3x\,dy - y^3\,dz &amp;= \int_C x^2z\,dx + 3x\,dy \\<br /> &amp;= \int_0^{2\pi} -z \cos^2 \theta \sin \theta + 3\cos^2 \theta\,d\theta \\<br /> &amp;= \int_0^{2\pi} -z\tfrac{1}{2}(1 + \cos 2\theta) \sin \theta + \tfrac{3}{2}(1 + \cos 2 \theta)\,d\theta \\<br /> &amp;= \int_0^{2\pi} \tfrac 32\,d\theta \\<br /> &amp;= 3\pi\end{split} independent of z.
You can also compute the aforesaid integral without ##x^2zdx## because z =0. Isn't it?

Why did you ignore ##1+\cos{2\theta}## in the last integral?
 
Last edited:
WMDhamnekar said:
You can also compute the aforesaid integral without ##x^2zdx## because z =0. Isn't it?

The above shows that the result is the same for any z.

Why did you ignore ##1+\cos{2\theta}## in the last integral?

The integrals of cosine and sine over a whole number of periods is zero. \cos 2\theta \sin \theta can be expressed as a linear combination of \sin 3\theta and \sin \theta and its integral therefore vanishes.
 
pasmith said:
The above shows that the result is the same for any z.
The integrals of cosine and sine over a whole number of periods is zero. \cos 2\theta \sin \theta can be expressed as a linear combination of \sin 3\theta and \sin \theta and its integral therefore vanishes.
Would you tell me how would you express ##\cos2\theta \sin\theta## as a linear combination of \sin3\theta and \sin \theta ?

1670684221234.png
 
WMDhamnekar said:
Would you tell me how would you express ##\cos2\theta \sin\theta## as a linear combination of \sin3\theta and \sin \theta ?
$$\cos2\theta\sin\theta=\left(\frac{e^{2i\theta}+e^{-2i\theta}}{2}\right)\left(\frac{e^{i\theta}-e^{-i\theta}}{2i}\right)=\frac{e^{3i\theta}-e^{-3i\theta}+e^{-i\theta}-e^{i\theta}}{4i}=\frac{\sin3\theta-\sin\theta}{2}$$
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: WMDhamnekar
WMDhamnekar said:
Would you tell me how would you express ##\cos2\theta \sin\theta## as a linear combination of \sin3\theta and \sin \theta ?

Use \sin(2\theta \pm \theta) = \sin(2\theta) \cos \theta \pm \sin(\theta) \cos (2 \theta)
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: WMDhamnekar

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K