Line integral in polar coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a line integral using polar coordinates and the application of Green's Theorem. The original poster presents a specific integral involving functions of x and y, with a parameterization in terms of t.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the correct order of operations and the conversion to polar coordinates, questioning how to handle differentials in this context. Some participants suggest reconsidering the necessity of Green's Theorem, while others point out potential issues with singularities in the integrand.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring different methods to approach the problem, with some guidance provided regarding the limitations of Green's Theorem in this case. There is acknowledgment of mistakes in the initial setup, but no consensus on a definitive method has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted singularity in the integrand at the point (0,2), which affects the applicability of Green's Theorem. The parameterization of the integral is also under scrutiny, particularly the limits of integration.

manenbu
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Homework Statement



calculate:
[tex]\oint \frac{2-y}{x^2+(y-2)^2} dx + \frac{x}{x^2+(y-2)^2} dy[/tex]

where [itex]y = \sin{t} + 2, x = \cos{t}, 0 \leq t \leq \pi[/itex]

Homework Equations



Green's Theorem.

The Attempt at a Solution



In what order should I do everything?
I need to find the derivaties of P and Q (what comes before the dx and dy), and doing it like this is a bit complicated. So I thought I'll change it to polar, but then I need to take dP/dy but now P is a function of t and not x,y so I can't do that.
In that case, how do I convert dy to polar differentials? I know that dA or dxdy equals rdrdt, but what about only dy?

Or another idea I thought of was to make the denominator 1 (because it is - it's cos2t + sin2t, and then take the derivatives but they are different than what I get if I don't do that.

I don't know which method would be correct, so if someone can help me that'd be great.
 
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Why use green's theorem at all?

Green's theorem states an IDENTITY between a calculated line integral and a calculated surface integral.

It is no need to switch to a surface/area integral here, since the indicated line integral is very simple to calculate
(As a general rule, don't ever bother with Green's theorem, the divergence theorem etc, unless the switch warranted by these theorems simplifies your calculations)
 
Ok so if I do the line integral,

[tex]2-y = -\sin{t}[/tex]

[tex]x = \cos{t}[/tex]

[tex]x^2+(y-2)^2 = \cos^2{t} + \sin^2{t} = 1[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dx}{dt} = -\sin{t} , \frac{dy}{dt} = \cos{t}[/tex]

The integral becomes:

[tex] \int_{0}^{2\pi} \frac{-\sin{t}(-\sin{t})}{1} dt + \int_{0}^{2\pi} \frac{\cos{t}\cos{t}}{1} dt = \int_{0}^{2\pi} \cos^2{t} + \sin^2{t} dt = \int_{0}^{2\pi} dt = 2\pi[/tex]

but let's assume I do want to use green's theorem.
So:

[tex]P = \frac{2-y}{x^2+(y-2)^2}, Q = \frac{x}{x^2+(y-2)^2}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = \frac{(y-2)^2-x^2}{(x^2+(y-2)^2)^2}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = \frac{(y-2)^2-x^2}{(x^2+(y-2)^2)^2}[/tex]

Snd since Green's theorem says that it's the double integral of the difference of those 2 derivaties, I get a double integral of 0, not [itex]2\pi[/itex].

So what went wrong here?
 
First off, t only goes to pie, not two-pie!

Secondly, you cannot use Green's theorem, since the integrand contains a singularity at (0,2)
 
oh, then it was a mistake in the first post. it should go to [itex]2\pi[/itex]. sorry.
and I also understand why green's theorem fails. thanks. :)
 
To nit-pick:

Green's theorem did not fail, it was your application of it that was inappropriate
:smile:
 
So Green should've come with a better theorem ;)
 

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