Integrating $\nabla \times{F}$ - Finding the Error

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves integrating the curl of a vector field \( F = (3y, -xz, -yz^2) \) over a specified surface defined by \( 2z = x^2 + y^2 \) below the plane \( z = 2 \). The original poster attempts to solve the integral directly and also apply Stokes' theorem, noting discrepancies between their result and the book's answer.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the curl of the vector field and the parametrization of the surface. There is an exploration of the cross product of tangent vectors, with one participant correcting the orientation of the normal vector. Questions arise regarding how to determine the orientation in different coordinate systems.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing discussion about the calculations involved in the integral and the application of Stokes' theorem. Participants are providing corrections and seeking clarification on the orientation of the normal vector, indicating a productive exchange of ideas without a clear consensus yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential errors in their calculations and the implications of orientation in cylindrical coordinates, which may affect the results of their integration.

Telemachus
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Homework Statement


Hi there. I was trying to solve this problem, from the book. The problem statement says:
Integrate [tex]\nabla \times{F},F=(3y,-xz,-yz^2)[/tex] over the portion of the surface [tex]2z=x^2+y^2[/tex] under the plane z=2, directly and using Stokes theorem.

So I started solving the integral directly. For the rotational I got:

[tex]\nabla \times{F}=\left|\begin{matrix}i&j&k\\ \frac{\partial}{\partial x}&\frac{\partial}{\partial y}&\frac{\partial}{\partial z}\\3y&-xz&-yz^{2}\end{matrix}\right|=(x-z^{2},0,-z-3)[/tex]

Then I parametrized the surface.:

[itex]\begin{matrix}x=x=r\cos \theta\\ y=r \sin \theta \\z=\displaystyle\frac{r^2}{2}\end{matrix}, \theta[0,2\pi] ,r[0,2][/itex]

Then I did: [tex]T_r\times{T_{\theta}}[/tex]

[tex]T_r=(\cos \theta,\sin \theta,r),T_{\theta}=(-r\sin \theta,r\cos \theta,0)[/tex]

For the cross product I got:
[tex]T_r\times{T_{\theta}}=(r^2\cos \theta,-r^2\sin \theta,r)[/tex]

And then I computed the integral

[tex]\displaystyle\int_{0}^{2}\int_{0}^{2\pi}(r\cos \theta-\displaystyle\frac{r^4}{4},0,\displaystyle\frac{-r^2}{2}-3)\cdot{(-r^2\cos \theta,-r^2\sin \theta,r)}d\theta dr=-12\pi[/tex]

The result given by the book is: [tex]20\pi[/tex].

I don't know what I did wrong, and is one of the first exercises that I've solved for the stokes theorem, so maybe I could get some advices and corrections from you :)

Thank you in advance. Bye.
 
Last edited:
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I've corrected some typos. Is there anybody out there? :P
 
Telemachus said:

Homework Statement


Hi there. I was trying to solve this problem, from the book. The problem statement says:
Integrate [tex]\nabla \times{F},F=(3y,-xz,-yz^2)[/tex] over the portion of the surface [tex]2z=x^2+y^2[/tex] under the plane z=2, directly and using Stokes theorem.

So I started solving the integral directly. For the rotational I got:

[tex]\nabla \times{F}=\left|\begin{matrix}i&j&k\\ \frac{\partial}{\partial x}&\frac{\partial}{\partial y}&\frac{\partial}{\partial z}\\3y&-xz&-yz^{2}\end{matrix}\right|=(x-z^{2},0,-z-3)[/tex]

Then I parametrized the surface.:

[itex]\begin{matrix}x=x=r\cos \theta\\ y=r \sin \theta \\z=\displaystyle\frac{r^2}{2}\end{matrix}, \theta[0,2\pi] ,r[0,2][/itex]

Then I did: [tex]T_r\times{T_{\theta}}[/tex]

[tex]T_r=(\cos \theta,\sin \theta,r),T_{\theta}=(-r\sin \theta,r\cos \theta,0)[/tex]

For the cross product I got:
[tex]T_r\times{T_{\theta}}=(r^2\cos \theta,-r^2\sin \theta,r)[/tex]
This is wrong. It should be [itex]\left<-r^2cos(\theta), -r^2sin(\theta), r\right>[/itex] (oriented "upward").

And then I computed the integral

[tex]\displaystyle\int_{0}^{2}\int_{0}^{2\pi}(r\cos \theta-\displaystyle\frac{r^4}{4},0,\displaystyle\frac{-r^2}{2}-3)\cdot{(-r^2\cos \theta,-r^2\sin \theta,r)}d\theta dr=-12\pi[/tex]

The result given by the book is: [tex]20\pi[/tex].

I don't know what I did wrong, and is one of the first exercises that I've solved for the stokes theorem, so maybe I could get some advices and corrections from you :)

Thank you in advance. Bye.
 
Thank you very much HallsofIvy. How did you realize that the orientation was negative? I can identify a positive oriented normal in the Cartesian coordinates, but I don't know how to do it in cylindrical or spherical coordinates.
 

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