Finding Flux Through a Cylinder with the Divergance Theorom

  • Thread starter Thread starter FAS1998
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cylinder Flux
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on applying the Divergence Theorem to calculate the flux through a cylinder defined by the vector field F(x,y,z) = 4xi, with a height of 5 and a radius of 3. The divergence of the vector field is established as 4, leading to the calculation of the flux as a triple integral over the cylindrical region. The user initially miscalculated the flux by using the surface area formula instead of the volume integral, which should be corrected to accurately reflect the volume of the cylinder.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Divergence Theorem
  • Knowledge of cylindrical coordinates
  • Ability to perform triple integrals
  • Familiarity with vector fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the Divergence Theorem and its applications in vector calculus
  • Practice solving triple integrals in cylindrical coordinates
  • Study examples of flux calculations through various geometric shapes
  • Explore the implications of divergence in physical contexts, such as fluid dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students studying vector calculus, particularly those tackling problems involving the Divergence Theorem and flux calculations through three-dimensional shapes.

FAS1998
Messages
49
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


[/B]
I’ve attached an image of the problem below.

I need to use the diveragance theorem to find the flux through a cylinder.

Vector field: F(x,y,z) = 4xi

Height: 5

Radius: 3

Homework Equations



By the DT, flux is equal to the triple integral of the divergence of the vector field.

The Attempt at a Solution



The divergence of the vector field is 4.

So the flux should be equal to the triple integral of 4 over the region of the cylinder.

Using cylindrical coordinates, I used the bounds 0 to 5 for z, 0 to 3 for r, and 0 to 2pi for theta.

Solving the triple integral then gave me 4(5)(3)(2pi), which was incorrect.

Can somebody help me figure out what I’m doing wrong?
 

Attachments

  • EDE53E7B-4701-49D9-80F8-D78538AA7A03.jpeg
    EDE53E7B-4701-49D9-80F8-D78538AA7A03.jpeg
    39.8 KB · Views: 325
Physics news on Phys.org
FAS1998 said:

Homework Statement


[/B]
I’ve attached an image of the problem below.

I need to use the diveragance theorem to find the flux through a cylinder.

Vector field: F(x,y,z) = 4xi

Height: 5

Radius: 3

Homework Equations



By the DT, flux is equal to the triple integral of the divergence of the vector field.

The Attempt at a Solution



The divergence of the vector field is 4.

So the flux should be equal to the triple integral of 4 over the region of the cylinder.

Using cylindrical coordinates, I used the bounds 0 to 5 for z, 0 to 3 for r, and 0 to 2pi for theta.

Solving the triple integral then gave me 4(5)(3)(2pi), which was incorrect.

Can somebody help me figure out what I’m doing wrong?

##3 \times 5 \times 2 \pi## is the surface area of the sides of your cylinder, but you need the volume, not the area.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: FAS1998

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
26
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K