# Integral of piece of helix

1. Mar 18, 2014

### ashina14

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Evaluate the integral

(x2 − yz) dx + (y2 − xz) dy + (z2 − xy) dz, C(A→B)
where C(A → B) is a piece of the helix
x = a cos φ, y = a sin φ, z = h φ, (0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π),

connecting the points A(a, 0, 0) and B(a, 0, h).

2. Relevant equations

[Hint: The problem could be tackled in different ways and, for one of them, Stokes’ theorem might be of some relevance.]

3. The attempt at a solution

acosφ =a, asinφ=0 therefore after subbing in for x, y and z I get:

Integral= ∫ a4 dx -(a2h φ)/2pi dy + (h2 φ2)/ 4 pi2 dz

But not sure what to do next
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Mar 18, 2014

### jackarms

Not sure what you mean by $acos\phi = a$ and $asin\phi = 0$ -- those are just for $\phi = 0$. After you substitute in for x, y, and z, you also want to substitute dx, dy, and dz in terms of $d\phi$

3. Mar 18, 2014

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Your very first problem is that B is not on this helix!
Of course, taking $\phi= 0$ gives $(a cos(0), a sin(0), h(0)= (a, 0, 0)= A$
But in order to have $z= h\phi= h$, $\phi$ must be 1. But then $x= a cos(1)$ is NOT a and $y= a sin(1)$ is NOT 0!

4. Mar 18, 2014

### ashina14

Not sure how to go from there either, I am supposed to get a 0 in the end but am failing to do so. How could I do it with Stoke's thm instead?

5. Mar 18, 2014

### LCKurtz

This doesn't look like a Stoke's theorem problem. But you likely have a misprint in your parameterization$$x = a \cos \phi, y = a \sin \phi, z = h\phi$$If you change the last equation to $z = \frac h {2\pi}\phi$, that will make the point $B$ be on the curve at $\phi = 2\pi$.

6. Mar 18, 2014

### ashina14

yes apparently it's a misprint! indeed z = hϕ/2π. I don't know the significance of B being the curve at ϕ=2π though.

7. Mar 18, 2014

### LCKurtz

If you are going to integrate between two points on the curve, then they need to be on the curve, don't they?

Your problem has nothing to do with Stoke's theorem. As a hint at what to do, have you checked the curl $\nabla\times\vec F$, where $\vec F$ is the vector in $\int_c\vec F\cdot d\vec R~$?

8. Mar 18, 2014

### ashina14

Yes but I still don't feel the need to utilize the given points.

Here's a solution I've come up with

Changing the integrand in terms of
the angle @ through x=acos@; dx=-asin@d@, y=asin@;
dy=acos@d@, z=h@/(2pi); dz=hd@/(2pi), get

I [from @=0 to @=2pi]S[(a^2)cos^2@-ah@sin@/(2pi)]
(-asin@d@)+[(a^2)sin^2@-ah@cos@/(2pi)](...
+[(h@/(2pi))^2-(a^2)sin@cos@][hd@/(2pi)...

I=[from @=0 to @=2pi]S{[(a^3)(sin^2@cos@-cos^2@sin@)
+(a^2)h/(2pi)(1-2cos^2@)+[(a^2)h/(2pi)(...
d@=>

I={from @=0 to 2pi][((a^3)/3)(sin^3@)-cos^3@)=>
I=0.

Unless I've missed out on something, I don't think I needed the points/curl

9. Mar 18, 2014

### ashina14

Although I see how it can be done with ∇×F⃗ , thanks!

10. Mar 18, 2014

### LCKurtz

Of course you have to use the two points. If the values of $\phi$ of $0$ and $2\pi$ don't give the two points, you are working the wrong problem.

Trying to read that gives me a headache. All I can tell you is that zero is not the correct answer. And if you would think about my hint there is a much easier way.

11. Mar 18, 2014

### ashina14

Yes they give the same two points. I don't need to explicitly use the points I feel though. Sorry for giving you a headache! Doing it your way is much shorter indeed but it's still giving me an answer of zero:

Taking vector F = (x2 -yz) i + (y2 -xz) j + (z2 -xy)

so, taking cross product,
▽ x F = l i j k l
l Px Py Pzl
lx2 -yz y2 -xz z2 -xyl

i(0) -j(0) +k(0) = 0

=> value of integral = 0

12. Mar 18, 2014

### ashina14

|.....i...........j...........k....l
|....Px........Py.......Pz.....|
|x^2-yz..y^2-xz..z^2-xy|

better version of product

13. Mar 18, 2014

### LCKurtz

The curl of $\vec F$ being zero does not mean $\int_C \vec F\cdot d\vec R=0$ along every path $C$. But it does imply some things that can simplify your problem, not to mention help you get the correct answer. What does your book tell you about this situation?