Calculating Flux and Applying the Divergence Theorem

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating flux using the Divergence Theorem and cylindrical coordinates. The divergence of the vector field F is determined to be 3x² + 3y² + 3z², leading to the setup of a triple integral. The correct integral in cylindrical coordinates is established as ∫₀²π ∫₀³ ∫₀¹⁰ (3r³ + 3z²r) dz dr dθ, which simplifies to yield the final result of (2916π)/2. The participants clarify the necessity of including the extra 'r' when converting to cylindrical coordinates.

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  • Understanding of the Divergence Theorem
  • Familiarity with cylindrical coordinates
  • Knowledge of triple integrals
  • Ability to perform vector calculus
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-EquinoX-
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Homework Statement



http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/88/fluxm.th.jpg

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I've tried to find the divergence of F and I got 3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2 and as this is a variable I need to set up the integral... how do I set the integral
 
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i think using cylindrical coordinate will be fine
 
how would you do it in cylindrical coordinate? is it something like this?

do you mean that I don't need to use the divF of it?
 
Last edited:
-EquinoX- said:
how would you do it in cylindrical coordinate? is it something like this?

do you mean that I don't need to use the divF of it?

you mean how to express the integrated region?just set r from 0 to 3, z from 0 to10.
using divF is not a bad choice, indeed in this case it won't save you very much work,because it's pretty symmetric casem a you can try to calculate it directly,
 
to use divergence I will need tot calculate the volume right? and I then will need to convert x, y, and z to cylindrical coordinate... which is x = r cos(theta), y = r cos(theta) , so in this case it's x^3cos(theta)^3.. right?
 
Rule of thumb...x axis and y-axis are not parallel...y=r sin(theta)... unless you're dealing with some weird system...
 
oops.. bad copy and paste mistake.. so in the end it will be:

\int0^10 \int_0^3 27cos(\theta) + 27sin(\theta) + z^3 dr d\theta

now what is r here?
 
This is a triple integral so there should be 3 limits. Also it seems that 3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2 is your field, so in cylindrical it would be \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 \int_0^{10} 3r^2 cos^2(\theta) + 3r^2 sin^2(\theta) + 3z^2 r dz dr d\theta

As you can see the field cancels out nicely in cylindrical. Also note the extra 'r' and the order of the limits.

The field seems symmetrical so you should be able to go from 0-->pi/2 and multiply by 2

latex seems to be ok again
 
djeitnstine said:
This is a triple integral so there should be 3 limits. Also it seems that 3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2 is your field, so in cylindrical it would be \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 \int_0^{10} 3r^2 cos^2(\theta) + 3r^2 sin^2(\theta) + 3z^2 r dz dr d\theta

As you can see the field cancels out nicely in cylindrical. Also note the extra 'r' and the order of the limits.

The field seems symmetrical so you should be able to go from 0-->pi/2 and multiply by 2

latex seems to be ok again

so it could then be simplified as:

\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 \int_0^{10} 3r^2 + 3z^2 r dz dr d\theta
\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 30r^2 + 1000r dr d\theta
\int_0^{2\pi} 4770 d\theta
9540\pi

is this wrong?

my confusion is that why is it 3z^2r ?? why is there extra r at the end of z?
 
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  • #10
This is because when converting to spherical the area of the differential section is rdrd\theta and adapted to cylindrical is rdzdrd\theta since the differential z is linear
 
  • #11
the answer that I got above doesn't match.. wonder why..
 
  • #12
Oh I needed brackets, I am sorry

<br /> \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 \int_0^{10} (3r^2 + 3z^2) r dz dr d\theta<br />

r is ditributed
 
  • #13
that's why I ask first place why is it 3z^2r because usually r is distributed.. thanks for clearing that up
 
  • #14
djeitnstine said:
Oh I needed brackets, I am sorry

<br /> \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 \int_0^{10} (3r^2 + 3z^2) r dz dr d\theta<br />

r is ditributed

here's what I got:

\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 \int_0^{10} (3r^3 + 3z^2r) dz dr d\theta
\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^3 30r^3 + 27r dr d\theta
\int_0^{2\pi} 2916/4 d\theta
\frac{2916\pi}{2}


the answer still doesn't match.. am I doing something wrong here?
 
  • #15
thanks I got it now :)
 

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