Determine the flux of the vector field trough the surface

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the flux of a vector field through a specified surface, which is described by two boundaries and straight lines connecting them. The focus is on understanding the geometry of the surface and the appropriate limits for integration in the flux calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the surface is a half hemisphere and seeks guidance on solving the task.
  • Another participant argues that the surface is not a hemisphere, noting that it lies in only two octants and is defined over half of the plane z=0.
  • A proposed method for calculating the flux involves a double integral of the vector field over the surface, with specific attention to the normal vector and the z-coordinate function g(x,y).
  • Questions arise regarding the limits of integration for y, with one participant expressing confusion over why the limits are set from -1 to 1 instead of 0 to 1.
  • A later reply acknowledges the confusion and corrects the limit for y, indicating it was an error.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the characterization of the surface, with one asserting it is not a hemisphere while another initially proposed it as such. The discussion about the limits of integration remains unresolved, although one participant has acknowledged an error in the limits.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes uncertainties about the geometric interpretation of the surface and the integration limits, which are not fully resolved. The dependence on the definitions of the surface and the vector field is also noted.

drynada
From my drawings it seems to be half of hemisphere. Am I right? How can I solve this task?

Determine the flux of the vector field $$ f=(x,(z+y)e^x,-xz^2)^T$$ through the surface $Q(u,w)$, which is defined in the follwoing way:

1) the two boundaries are given by $$\delta Q_1=\{(x,y,z):x^2+y^2=1,z=0,y\ge0\}$$ and $$\delta Q_2=\{(x,y,z):x^2+z^2=1,y=0,z\ge0\}$$

2) the points on the two arcs $$\delta Q_1$$ and $$\delta Q_2$$ are connected by straight lines, which are parallel to the plane $$x=0$$
 
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It's not a hemisphere. There are lines on the surface that are straight, and one cannot draw a straight line on a hemisphere.

Also, the surface lies in only two octants, whereas a hemisphere lies in four of the eight octants. It is a surface that lies over half of the plane ##z=0##.

To solve this, you calculate
$$\int_{0}^1 \int_{-1}^1
\vec f(x,y,g(x,y)) \cdot \vec n(x,y)
\,dx\,dy$$
where ##g(x,y)## is the ##z## coordinate of the point on the surface with ##x,y## coordinates ##(x,y)##; and ##\vec n(x,y)## is the normal to the surface at that point.

Note that, because of the last statement in the OP, ##\vec n(x,y)## is constant over ##y## and can be obtained from the gradient of the line connecting
  • the point on the ring ##\delta Q_2## with specified ##x## coordinate and ##z\geq 0##, to
  • the point on the ring ##\delta Q_1## with the same ##x## coordinate and ##y\geq 0##
The equation of that line can also be used to calculate the ##z## coordinate ##g(x,y)##.
 
Last edited:
I don't understand, why the limit for y is -1 to 1 and not 0 to 1.
 
drynada said:
I don't understand, why the limit for y is -1 to 1 and not 0 to 1.
That was an error. I have corrected it.
 

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