Divergence Theorem: Applying to Sphere $\hat{i}x+\hat{j}y+\hat{k}z$

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on applying the Divergence Theorem to a sphere defined by the equation $x^2+y^2+z^2=a^2$ with the vector field $\overrightarrow{F}=\hat{i}x+\hat{j}y+\hat{k}z$. The divergence of the vector field is calculated as $\nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F}=3$, leading to the volume integral $\iiint_D \nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F} dV=4 \pi a^3$. The participants clarify that $D$ represents a solid sphere (volume) while $S$ represents its surface (area), emphasizing the distinction between volume and surface integrals in the context of the theorem.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Divergence Theorem
  • Familiarity with vector fields and their divergence
  • Knowledge of triple and double integrals in calculus
  • Concept of solid spheres versus spherical surfaces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Divergence Theorem in detail, including its applications in various geometries
  • Learn about vector calculus, focusing on divergence and curl
  • Explore surface integrals and their relationship to volume integrals
  • Investigate examples of applying the Divergence Theorem to different shapes, such as cylinders and cones
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Students and professionals in mathematics, physics, and engineering who are working with vector calculus and the Divergence Theorem, particularly those interested in understanding the relationship between volume and surface integrals.

evinda
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Hello again! (Wave)

I am looking at an exercise of the divergence theorem..

We want to apply the divergence theorem for the sphere $x^2+y^2+z^2=a^2$ in the case when the vector field is $\overrightarrow{F}=\hat{i}x+\hat{j}y+\hat{k}z$.$\displaystyle{\nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F}=\frac{\partial{F}}{\partial{x}} \hat{i}+\frac{\partial{F}}{\partial{y}} \hat{j}+\frac{\partial{F}}{\partial{z}} \hat{k}=3}$

So $\displaystyle{\iiint_D \nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F} dV=\iiint_D 3 dV=4 \pi a^3}$, which is $\displaystyle{3 \cdot \text{Volume of a sphere}}$.$\displaystyle{G=x^2+y^2+z^2=a^2}$
$\displaystyle{\hat{n}=\frac{\nabla G}{|\nabla G|}=\frac{2x \hat{i}+2y \hat{j}+2z \hat{k}}{2 \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}}=\frac{x \hat{i}+y \hat{j}+z \hat{k}}{a}}$

$\displaystyle{\overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}=\frac{x^2+y^2+z^2}{a}=\frac{a^2}{a}=a}$

$\displaystyle{\iint_S \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n} d \sigma=a \iint_S d \sigma=a(4 \pi a^2)=4 \pi a^3}$, which is $\displaystyle{a \cdot \text{Area of a sphere}}$
But... since $D$ is a sphere, why is $S$ also a sphere and not a circle? :confused:
 
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Hi again! (Happy)

evinda said:
Hello again! (Wave)

I am looking at an exercise of the divergence theorem..

We want to apply the divergence theorem for the sphere $x^2+y^2+z^2=a^2$ in the case when the vector field is $\overrightarrow{F}=\hat{i}x+\hat{j}y+\hat{k}z$.$\displaystyle{\nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F}=\frac{\partial{F}}{\partial{x}} \hat{i}+\frac{\partial{F}}{\partial{y}} \hat{j}+\frac{\partial{F}}{\partial{z}} \hat{k}=3}$

That should be $\displaystyle{\nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F}=\frac{\partial{F_x}}{\partial{x}} +\frac{\partial{F_y}}{\partial{y}} +\frac{\partial{F_z}}{\partial{z}} =3}$. :eek:

So $\displaystyle{\iiint_D \nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F} dV=\iiint_D 3 dV=4 \pi a^3}$, which is $\displaystyle{3 \cdot \text{Volume of a sphere}}$.$\displaystyle{G=x^2+y^2+z^2=a^2}$
$\displaystyle{\hat{n}=\frac{\nabla G}{|\nabla G|}=\frac{2x \hat{i}+2y \hat{j}+2z \hat{k}}{2 \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}}=\frac{x \hat{i}+y \hat{j}+z \hat{k}}{a}}$

$\displaystyle{\overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}=\frac{x^2+y^2+z^2}{a}=\frac{a^2}{a}=a}$

$\displaystyle{\iint_S \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n} d \sigma=a \iint_S d \sigma=a(4 \pi a^2)=4 \pi a^3}$, which is $\displaystyle{a \cdot \text{Area of a sphere}}$

Good! (Smile)
But... since $D$ is a sphere, why is $S$ also a sphere and not a circle? :confused:

The volume $D$ is a solid sphere (aka ball), whereas $S$ is its boundary which is the surface of the sphere. The word "ball" is usually used to indicate the volume whereas the word "sphere" usually indicates only its surface.

Similarly we have a circle disk and its boundary which is a circle. (Nerd)
 
I like Serena said:
That should be $\displaystyle{\nabla \cdot \overrightarrow{F}=\frac{\partial{F_x}}{\partial{x}} +\frac{\partial{F_y}}{\partial{y}} +\frac{\partial{F_z}}{\partial{z}} =3}$. :eek:

A ok! I understand! :)
I like Serena said:
The volume $D$ is a solid sphere (aka ball), whereas $S$ is its boundary which is the surface of the sphere. The word "ball" is usually used to indicate the volume whereas the word "sphere" usually indicates only its surface.

Similarly we have a circle disk and its boundary which is a circle. (Nerd)

I thought that it would be a circle,because I had seen an example about the surface integral,where we take the projection of the surface at the $xy-$ plane..

So,we have to use the formula: $\displaystyle{ \iint_R g(x,y,z) d \sigma}=\iint_S g(x,y,z) \cdot \frac{|\nabla{F}|}{|\nabla{F} \cdot \hat{n}|}dA$.

The exercise I mean is this:

$$F=x^2+y^2+z^2=a^2, g=z , z \geq 0$$
$$\nabla{F}=2(x,y,z)$$
$$|\nabla{F}|=2r=2a$$
$$|\nabla{F} \cdot \hat{k}|=2z$$
$$\iint_R g d \sigma=\iint_S z \frac{2a}{2z} dA=\iint_S a dA=a \iint_S dA= \pi a^3$$So,in this case $R$ is a hemisphere and $S$ a circle.. At the proof of the divergence theorem, we also take the projection of the surface at the $xy-$ plane..

So,isn't it similar to the exercise I have asked..?? :confused:
 
evinda said:
I thought that it would be a circle,because I had seen an example about the surface integral,where we take the projection of the surface at the $xy-$ plane..

So,we have to use the formula: $\displaystyle{ \iint_R g(x,y,z) d \sigma}=\iint_S g(x,y,z) \cdot \frac{|\nabla{F}|}{|\nabla{F} \cdot \hat{n}|}dA$.

The exercise I mean is this:

$$F=x^2+y^2+z^2=a^2, g=z , z \geq 0$$
$$\nabla{F}=2(x,y,z)$$
$$|\nabla{F}|=2r=2a$$
$$|\nabla{F} \cdot \hat{k}|=2z$$
$$\iint_R g d \sigma=\iint_S z \frac{2a}{2z} dA=\iint_S a dA=a \iint_S dA= \pi a^3$$So,in this case $R$ is a hemisphere and $S$ a circle.. At the proof of the divergence theorem, we also take the projection of the surface at the $xy-$ plane..

Ahaa.. I see what you mean. (Mmm)
So,isn't it similar to the exercise I have asked..?? :confused:

Nope. I'm afraid not.

Your problem statement is about the integration of a 3-dimensional volume, which you can recognize by the triple integral $\iiint$ and also by $dV$, which represents an infinitesimal volume element.
The example you just gave is about the integration of a 2-dimensional surface in 3 dimensions, which you can recognize by the double integral $\iint$ and also by $d\sigma$ respectively $dA$ that both represent an infinitesimal surface element. (Wink)
 
I like Serena said:
Ahaa.. I see what you mean. (Mmm)

Nope. I'm afraid not.

Your problem statement is about the integration of a 3-dimensional volume, which you can recognize by the triple integral $\iiint$ and also by $dV$, which represents an infinitesimal volume element.
The example you just gave is about the integration of a 2-dimensional surface in 3 dimensions, which you can recognize by the double integral $\iint$ and also by $d\sigma$ respectively $dA$ that both represent an infinitesimal surface element. (Wink)

A ok... Thank you very much! :cool:
 

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