Evaluating $\iint\limits_{\sum} f \cdot d\sigma $ on Cube S

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on evaluating the surface integral $\iint\limits_{\sum} f \cdot d\sigma$ for the vector field $f(x,y,z) = xi + yj + zk$ over the boundary of a solid cube defined by $0 \leq x, y, z \leq 1$. Participants explore different approaches to compute this integral without using the Divergence Theorem, discussing parameterization and integration over each face of the cube.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the need to use the definition of surface integral and mentions the different outward unit normal vectors for each face of the cube.
  • Another participant points out that the integral involves a vector field and provides the correct formula for the surface integral of a vector field, suggesting a parameterization for the bottom face of the cube.
  • Several participants describe the process of integrating over the six faces of the cube, with one stating that the integral evaluates to 0 for the faces at $z=0$, $x=0$, and $y=0$, while it evaluates to 1 for the faces at $z=1$, $x=1$, and $y=1$.
  • One participant calculates the integral for one face and concludes that the total surface integral is 3, while another reiterates this calculation with a different approach, arriving at the same conclusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of evaluating the integral by considering each face separately and arrive at the same total for the surface integral. However, there are variations in the details of the calculations and parameterizations suggested, indicating some level of disagreement on the approach.

Contextual Notes

Some participants emphasize the importance of ensuring the outward normal vectors are correctly oriented, which may affect the results. There is also a reliance on specific parameterizations that may not be universally agreed upon.

WMDhamnekar
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Without using the Divergence Theorem Evaluate the surface integral $\iint\limits_{\sum} f \cdot d\sigma $ of $f(x,y,z) = xi+ yj + zk , \sum: $ boundary of the solid cube S= $\{(x,y,z) = 0\leq x,y,z \leq 1)\}$

My attempt:
Here we have to use the following definition of surface integral.
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Note that there will be a different outward unit normal vector to each of the six faces of the cube.
 
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Hi Dhamnekar Winod,

The formula you posted is for a real-valued function, but the function $f$ you provided is a vector field. You will need to use the formula for a surface integral of a vector field: $$\iint\limits_{R}f(x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v))\cdot \left(\frac{\partial\mathbf{r}}{\partial u}\times \frac{\partial\mathbf{r}}{\partial v} \right)du\,dv \qquad(*)$$ See the Wikipedia - Surface Integrals of Vector Fields.

After that, think about how to parameterize each of the six faces of $\Sigma$. For example, the "bottom" face can be parameterized as $x(u,v) = u$, $y(u,v) = v$, and $z(u,v) = 0$, where $0\leq u, v\leq 1$; i.e., $\mathbf{r}(u,v)= u\mathbf{i} + v\mathbf{j} + 0\mathbf{k}$ for $0\leq u, v\leq 1$. Using this parameterization, calculate the integral in $(*)$. Note: You will need to use the negative of the cross product $\frac{\partial\mathbf{r}}{\partial u}\times \frac{\partial\mathbf{r}}{\partial v}$ to ensure you get an outward pointing normal vector to the "bottom" of $\Sigma$. Then repeat the process for each of the other 5 faces of $\Sigma$.
 
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This integral will be over the 6 faces of the cube. Do each separately. One face is z= 0 for x and y each from 0 to 1. On z= 0, the vector field zk= 0k so the integral is 0. That is also true on the faces x= 0 and y= 0. On z= 1 we integrate zk= 1k so we are integrating 1 for both x and y from 0 to 1. That is 1 times the area of the square, which is also 1, so the integral is 1. This is also true on the faces x= 1 and y= 1 so the entire surface integral is 3.
 
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HallsofIvy said:
This integral will be over the 6 faces of the cube. Do each separately. One face is z= 0 for x and y each from 0 to 1. On z= 0, the vector field zk= 0k so the integral is 0. That is also true on the faces x= 0 and y= 0. On z= 1 we integrate zk= 1k so we are integrating 1 for both x and y from 0 to 1. That is 1 times the area of the square, which is also 1, so the integral is 1. This is also true on the faces x= 1 and y= 1 so the entire surface integral is 3.
f(x,y,z) = xi + yj + zk , $ \vert \frac{dr}{du} \times \frac{dr}{dv} \vert =1$ So, $ \iint\limits_{\sum} = f\cdot d\sigma =\displaystyle\int_0^1 \displaystyle\int_0^{1-x} (x+y+1-(x+y))\cdot (1)dydx=\frac12$

This surface integral is for one face of the cube. So entire surface integral will be $\frac12 \times 6 =3 $
 
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