MHB Evaluate Integral by Green's Theorem

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The discussion centers on evaluating the line integral of a vector field using both direct computation and Green's Theorem, specifically for the upper half of a disk of radius a. The direct method yielded a result of 0, while Green's Theorem produced -4/3 a^3, indicating a discrepancy. The user was advised that the direct integral should be calculated over two segments of the contour: the semicircle and the x-axis. Correcting the approach involves properly setting up the integrals for each segment and combining the results to match the Green's Theorem outcome. Ultimately, the correct application of both methods should yield the same result, -4/3 a^3.
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8. Evaluate $$\int F \cdot dr$$ both directly and by Green’s Theorem. The vector field and the region D is the upper half of a disk of radius a: $$0 \leq x^2 + y^2 \leq a^2$$ , $$y$$ . The curve C is the boundary of D and oriented counter-clock wise.

I got an answer of 0 using the direct way:
Let x = acost, y = asint
F(t) = <a^2, asint>
F'(t) = <0, acost>

$$\int F \cdot dr = \int <a^2, asint> \cdot <0, acost>$$
$$= \int^{pi}_0 a^2sintcost dt$$
$$= \frac{1}{2}a^2sin^2t$$
$$= 0$$

For Green's Theorem, I should get the same number, but I got $$-\frac{4}{3}a^3$$ and I have no idea where I went wrong.

$$\int \int (\frac{d}{dx}(y) - \frac{d}{dy}(x^2 + y^2)) dA$$
$$= \int \int -2y dA$$

Then I polarized the coordinates where y = rsin(theta)

$$\int^{\pi}_0 \int^a_0 -2rsin(\theta)r dr d(\theta)$$
$$= \int^{\pi}_0 -\frac{2}{3}r^3sin(\theta)$$ 0 to a
$$= \int^{\pi}_0 -\frac{2}{3}a^3sin(\theta) d(\theta)$$
$$= \frac{2}{3}a^3cos(\theta) $$ 0 to pi
$$= -\frac{4}{3}a^3$$
 
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tg25007 said:
8. The vector field and the region D is the upper half of a disk of radius a: $$0 \leq x^2 + y^2 \leq a^2$$ , $$y$$ . The curve C is the boundary of D and oriented counter-clock wise.

Hello tg25007, welcome to MHB. I'd like to help you, but you don't mention $\vec{F}.$
 
tg25007 said:
8. Evaluate $$\int F \cdot dr$$ both directly and by Green’s Theorem. The vector field and the region D is the upper half of a disk of radius a: $$0 \leq x^2 + y^2 \leq a^2$$ , $$y$$ . The curve C is the boundary of D and oriented counter-clock wise.

I got an answer of 0 using the direct way:
Let $x = a\cos t, y = a\sin t $
$F(t) = <a^2, a\sin t>$
$F'(t) = <0, a\cos t>$

$$\int F \cdot dr = \int <a^2, a\sin t> \cdot <0, a\cos t>$$
$$= \int^{\pi}_0 a^2\sin t\cos t\, dt$$
$$= \frac{1}{2}a^2\sin^2t$$
$$= 0$$

For Green's Theorem, I should get the same number, but I got $$-\frac{4}{3}a^3$$ and I have no idea where I went wrong.

$$\int \int (\frac{d}{dx}(y) - \frac{d}{dy}(x^2 + y^2)) dA$$
$$= \int \int -2y dA$$

Then I polarized the coordinates where y = rsin(theta)

$$\int^{\pi}_0 \int^a_0 -2r\sin(\theta)r\, dr d(\theta)$$
$$= \int^{\pi}_0 -\frac{2}{3}r^3\sin(\theta)$$ 0 to a
$$= \int^{\pi}_0 -\frac{2}{3}a^3\sin(\theta)\, d(\theta)$$
$$= \frac{2}{3}a^3\cos(\theta) $$ 0 to pi
$$= -\frac{4}{3}a^3$$
You have the correct result, $-\frac43a^3$, with the Green's theorem calculation, but you have messed up on the $\int F\cdot dr$ part. For a start, you need to have two integrals to go round the contour $C$, first round the semicircle and then along the $x$-axis. Next, you need to work out $\int F\cdot dr$ for each of those pieces of the contour. On the semicircle, you correctly have $F=(a^2,a\sin t).$ You don't need to differentiate $F$, but you should have $r = (a\cos t, a\sin t)$ and so $dr = (-a\sin t, a\cos t)dt.$ Take the dot product of that with $F$ and integrate from $0$ to $\pi.$ For the part of the contour that goes along the axis, you have $F = (t^2,0)$ and $r = (t,0)$ (with $t$ going from $-a$ to $a$). Add the two integrals together and you should get $-\frac43a^3$.

LaTeX tip: put a backslash before cos and sin, and a space after them, if you want them to display properly.
 
Last edited:
Opalg said:
LaTeX tip: put a backslash before cos and sin, and a space after them, if you want them to display properly.


Another $\LaTeX$ tip: for iterated integrals, it looks better if the differentials are separated by a
Code:
\,
space thus:
$$ \int_{a}^{b} \int_{c}^{d}x^{2} \,dx \,dy.$$
 

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