Help stokes theorem - integral problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around applying Stokes' theorem to a specific integral problem involving vector fields and surface integrals. Participants are exploring the calculation of the curl of a vector field and the determination of the unit normal vector to a surface defined parametrically.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss methods for finding the unit normal vector, including normalizing a vector derived from the cross product of tangent vectors. Questions arise regarding the calculation of the differential area element (dS) and whether to use the normal or unit normal in the context of the integral.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of choosing different orientations for the normal vector, with some participants noting that this choice can affect the sign of the final answer. Guidance is provided on the relationship between the normal vector and the area element in the context of Stokes' theorem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential confusion regarding the direction of the normal vector and its impact on the integral's evaluation. There are references to differing answers among peers, highlighting the complexity of the problem and the importance of understanding the conventions used in vector calculus.

sarahisme
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Hello all,

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/218/picture8ce5.png

I am completely new to this stokes theorem bussiness..what i have got so far is the nabla x F part, but i am unsure of how to find N (the unit normal field i think its called).

any suggestions people?

i get that nabla x F or curl(F) = i + j + k

cheers

-sarah :)
 
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Well, a way to find N is to first find any normal to the surface and then normalize it. Some lead-in work: Put the surface S into vector form,

[tex]S:\, \, \, \vec{r}(u,v)=\left< u\cos v,u\sin v, v\right> \, \, 0\leq u\leq 1,\, 0\leq v\leq\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]​

Also, recall that the vectors [tex]\frac{d\vec{r}}{du}\mbox{ and }\frac{d\vec{r}}{dv}[/tex] are tangent to S, and that the cross product of two vectors is normal to both vectors, so a normal vector to S is

[tex]\frac{d\vec{r}}{du}\times\frac{d\vec{r}}{dv}[/tex]​

but we want a unit normal to S, so we normalize the above vector (divide it by its magnitude) to get

[tex]\vec{N}(u,v)= \frac{\frac{d\vec{r}}{du}\times\frac{d\vec{r}}{dv}}{\left| \frac{d\vec{r}}{du}\times\frac{d\vec{r}}{dv}\right|}[/tex]​

PS: I gave the same reply on www.mathlinks.ro
 
how do i work out what dS is?, i think that is my main problem...

how does this look for the integral we need to evaluate?

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5053/picture9fn3.png

that is, do we have to use the normal or the unit normal when doing this stuff?
 
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Some textbooks refer to the "fundamental vector product": If a surface is given by the parametric equations x= f(u,v), y= g(u,v), z= h(u,v), then the fundamental vector product is
[tex]\left<\frac{\partial f}{\partial u}, \frac{\partial g}{\partial u},\frac{\partial h}{\partial u}\right> \times \left<\frac{\partial f}{\partial v}, \frac{\partial g}{\partial v},\frac{\partial h}{\partial v}\right>[/itex]<br /> <br /> The "fundamental vector prodct" for that surface is normal to the surface and the "differential of area" is equal to the fundamental vector product time du dv. the "scalar differential of area", for the surface is the length of the fundamental vector product times du dv. You certainly would <b>not</b> use the unit normal since it is the length of the normal vector that gives the information about the area.<br /> <br /> In your case, since you are integrating the vector [itex]\nabla \times F[/itex], you need to use the vector differential of area.[/tex]
 
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hmmm i can't quite decide whether to go with my answer of pi/4 or try to redo the question and get -pi/4 as the answer (which is what a friend got...)
 
Now I am confused! What do you mean "go with my answer of pi/4"? How did you get that answer to begin with? Why would you redo the question if you know you will get the same answer?
 
HallsofIvy said:
Now I am confused! What do you mean "go with my answer of pi/4"? How did you get that answer to begin with? Why would you redo the question if you know you will get the same answer?

its ok, i think its to do with which direction you choose the normal to be pointing...
 
Ah, I missed the "-". It was on the previous line from [itex]\frac{\pi}{4}[/itex] and I though it was a hyphen! Yes, swapping the direction of the normal will multiply the answer by -1. Notice that you will still have Stokes' theorem true since, by convention, you traverse the boundary in such a way that if you were walking along the boundary with your head in the direction of the normal vector, you would have your left arm inside the region.

[itex]d\vec r[/itex] here, however, because of the way the parameters u and v are given, should be the outer normal so that, since [itex]\vec F[/itex] is also pointing away from the origin, the answer is positive. You might want to ask your teacher for more detail on how to select the direction of the normal in a problem like this.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Ah, I missed the "-". It was on the previous line from [itex]\frac{\pi}{4}[/itex] and I though it was a hyphen! Yes, swapping the direction of the normal will multiply the answer by -1. Notice that you will still have Stokes' theorem true since, by convention, you traverse the boundary in such a way that if you were walking along the boundary with your head in the direction of the normal vector, you would have your left arm inside the region.

[itex]d\vec r[/itex] here, however, because of the way the parameters u and v are given, should be the outer normal so that, since [itex]\vec F[/itex] is also pointing away from the origin, the answer is positive. You might want to ask your teacher for more detail on how to select the direction of the normal in a problem like this.

ah, yep i see now i think , that makes a bit more sense. :) thanks for all the help everyone! :D
 

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