Finding work done in spherical coordinates

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the work done by a specific force in spherical coordinates, given by F = r^3*cos^2(φ)*sin(φ)*ê_r + r^3*cos(φ)*cos(2φ)*ê_φ, while moving from the point (0,0,0) to (2,0,0). The user attempts to compute the work using the integral of the force along the path, leading to the realization that the force component along φ = 0 is zero. This indicates that there is no effective force acting in the direction of motion, resulting in zero work done despite the displacement. The user confirms their understanding that the absence of force at φ = 0 means no work is performed during the movement. The conversation emphasizes the importance of analyzing the force components in relation to the path taken.
HeisenbergW
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1. Find the work done by the force F=r3*cos2\varphi*sin\varphi*\hat{r} + r3*cos\varphi*cos(2\varphi) \hat{\varphi}
from the point (0,0,0) to (2,0,0)

Homework Equations


Work=\int F*dr
where dr= dr\hat{r} + rd\varphi\hat{\varphi}

The Attempt at a Solution



When muliplying the line element, dr, by the force, F, I come up with
\int r3*cos2\varphi*sin\varphi dr +\int r4*cos\varphi*cos(2\varphi) d\varphi

I believe the r goes from 0 to 2, and there is no change in \varphi

I end up with 4*cos^{2}\varphi*sin\varphi
but then when I plug in 0 for \varphi, the answer ends up being zero, which I have a hard time believing since it moves from 0 to 2.
Any help is greatly appreciated
Thank You in advance.
 
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F=r3*cos2\varphi*sin\varphi*\hat{r} + r3*cos\varphi*cos(2\varphi) \hat{\varphi}

What is the force along \varphi = 0?
(This should simplify your line integral.)
 
Check the force along the path you are given (because it's really a line integral through a vector field), and it should become fairly simple to see why that is. Notice that your psi component didn't really change in the integral that mattered.
 
Thanks for the replies
I believe you are saying that the force along \varphi=0 is just zero along the r component, which is the only component that matters, since there is no motion in the other two coordinates. Since my force is actually zero at \varphi=0, it doesn't matter that I went from (0,0,0) to (2,0,0), since no force means no work.

Am I interpreting your comments correctly?
Thanks for the feedback. Always appreciated.
 
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