Find the outward flux of a vector field across an ellipsoid

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the outward flux of the vector field ## \vec F = y^2e^{z^2+y^2} i + x^2 e^{z^2+x^2} j + z^2 e^{x^2+y^2} k## across the portion of the ellipsoid defined by $$ x^2 + y^2 + 4z^2 = 8$$ within the bounds of ##0 ≤ z ≤ 1##. The Divergence Theorem is applied, necessitating the calculation of the divergence of the vector field, which is determined to be ##\text{div}\ \vec F = 2ze^{x^2+y^2}##. The flux through the top and bottom discs is computed, with the top disc yielding a flux of $$18\pi e^4$$ and the bottom disc yielding zero flux. The final flux across the ellipsoid is derived by subtracting the contributions from these discs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Divergence Theorem
  • Familiarity with vector fields and flux calculations
  • Knowledge of surface integrals and volume integrals
  • Proficiency in spherical coordinates and Jacobian transformations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the Divergence Theorem in vector calculus
  • Learn how to compute flux integrals for vector fields
  • Explore spherical coordinate transformations and their Jacobians
  • Practice solving problems involving ellipsoids and their properties
USEFUL FOR

Students studying vector calculus, particularly those focusing on flux calculations and the Divergence Theorem, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching materials on these topics.

1up20x6
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


[/B]
Find the outward flux of the vector field ## \vec F = y^2e^{z^2+y^2} i + x^2 e^{z^2+x^2} j + z^2 e^{x^2+y^2} k## across that part of the ellipsoid
$$ x^2 + y^2 + 4z^2 = 8$$ which lies in the region ##0 ≤ z ≤ 1##
(Note: The two “horizontal discs” at the top and bottom are not a part of the ellipsoid.)
(Hint: Use the Divergence Theorem, but remember that it only applies to a closed surface, giving the total flux outwards across the whole closed surface)

Homework Equations



## \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iiint_D \text{div}\ \vec F \, dV##

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that since the top and bottom discs aren't part of the ellipsoid, I'll have to subtract their fluxes from the final result. I also think I found the fluxes of those, at ##z = 0## the flux is 0 since $$ \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iint_S <y^2e^{z^2+y^2}, x^2 e^{z^2+x^2}, z^2 e^{x^2+y^2}> \dot <0, 0, -1> \, dS = \iint_S -z^2 e^{x^2+y^2} dS$$ which evaluates to 0.
At ##z = 1##, $$ \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iint_S <y^2e^{z^2+y^2}, x^2 e^{z^2+x^2}, z^2 e^{x^2+y^2}> \dot <0, 0, 1> \, dS = \iint_S z^2 e^{x^2+y^2} dS$$ which evaluates to $$\iint_S e^{r^2} rdrd\theta = 18\pi e^4$$

When I try to find the divergence of the ellipsoid, I get
$$ \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iiint_D \text{div}\ \vec F \, dV = \iiint_D 2ze^{x^2+y^2} \, dV$$

But at this point I'm lost. I thought I might have to convert to spherical coordinates, but that gets me a really ugly and long parameter where $$r_u \text{x}\ r_v = <-4\cos u \sin^2 v , -4\sin u \sin^2 v , -8\sin v \cos v>$$
and computing the dot product of this with ##\vec F## converted to spherical coordinates gives me
$$(-32 \cos u \sin u \sin^4 v)(\sin u e^{2\cos v + 8\sin^2 u \sin^2 v} + \cos u e^{2\cos v + 8\cos^2 u \sin^2 v}) - 16 \sin v \cos^2 v e^{8\cos^2 u \cos^2 v + \sin^2 u \sin^2 v}$$

So I don't think that's right.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
1up20x6 said:

Homework Statement


[/B]
Find the outward flux of the vector field ## \vec F = y^2e^{z^2+y^2} i + x^2 e^{z^2+x^2} j + z^2 e^{x^2+y^2} k## across that part of the ellipsoid
$$ x^2 + y^2 + 4z^2 = 8$$ which lies in the region ##0 ≤ z ≤ 1##
(Note: The two “horizontal discs” at the top and bottom are not a part of the ellipsoid.)
(Hint: Use the Divergence Theorem, but remember that it only applies to a closed surface, giving the total flux outwards across the whole closed surface)

Homework Equations



## \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iiint_D \text{div}\ \vec F \, dV##

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that since the top and bottom discs aren't part of the ellipsoid, I'll have to subtract their fluxes from the final result. I also think I found the fluxes of those, at ##z = 0## the flux is 0 since $$ \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iint_S <y^2e^{z^2+y^2}, x^2 e^{z^2+x^2}, z^2 e^{x^2+y^2}> \dot <0, 0, -1> \, dS = \iint_S -z^2 e^{x^2+y^2} dS$$ which evaluates to 0.
At ##z = 1##, $$ \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iint_S <y^2e^{z^2+y^2}, x^2 e^{z^2+x^2}, z^2 e^{x^2+y^2}> \dot <0, 0, 1> \, dS = \iint_S z^2 e^{x^2+y^2} dS$$ which evaluates to $$\iint_S e^{r^2} rdrd\theta = 18\pi e^4$$

When I try to find the divergence of the ellipsoid, I get
$$ \iint_S \vec F \cdot \vec n \, dS = \iiint_D \text{div}\ \vec F \, dV = \iiint_D 2ze^{x^2+y^2} \, dV$$

But at this point I'm lost. I thought I might have to convert to spherical coordinates, but that gets me a really ugly and long parameter where $$r_u \text{x}\ r_v = <-4\cos u \sin^2 v , -4\sin u \sin^2 v , -8\sin v \cos v>$$
and computing the dot product of this with ##\vec F## converted to spherical coordinates gives me
$$(-32 \cos u \sin u \sin^4 v)(\sin u e^{2\cos v + 8\sin^2 u \sin^2 v} + \cos u e^{2\cos v + 8\cos^2 u \sin^2 v}) - 16 \sin v \cos^2 v e^{8\cos^2 u \cos^2 v + \sin^2 u \sin^2 v}$$

So I don't think that's right.

You have (abusing your notation slightly) $$\iiint_V = \iint_S + \iint_{D1} + \iint_{D2}$$where ##D_1## and ##D_2## are the top and bottom discs you have calculated. You are trying to get the value of ##\iint_S##. All you need to calculate to get that is ##\iiint_V## of the divergence. That is a volume integral, not a surface integral. It's true you are going to have to do that in two pieces in "spherical" coordinates. I would suggest the change of variables $$x = \sqrt 8\rho\sin\phi\cos\theta,~y =\sqrt 8\rho\sin\phi\sin\theta,~z=\sqrt 2\cos\phi$$The Jacobian turns out pretty simple. I haven't worked all the details but that should get you going.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K