Line Integral Notation wrt Scalar Value function

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating line integrals of a scalar function along a specified path in three-dimensional space. The scalar function given is \( f(x,y,z) = 12xy + z \), and the task involves finding the integrals \( \int f \vec{dl} \) and \( \int f dl \) along a straight line from the point (0, 0, 0) to (1, 1, 0).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore how to interpret the notation of the line integral, with some suggesting the need for parameterization of the scalar function and the differential vector \( \vec{dl} \). There is discussion about whether to treat the integral as a vector or to consider the interaction between the variables in the function.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the parameterization of the path and the formulation of the integral. There is a recognition of the need to express both the function and the differential in terms of the parameter, and some guidance has been offered regarding the correct approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of vector calculus and the specific notation used in the problem statement. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the scalar function is correctly integrated along the defined path, and assumptions about the relationships between the variables are being examined.

elements
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I'm getting a bit confused by the specific notation in the question and am unsure what exactly it is asking here/how to proceed.

Homework Statement


Given a scalar function ##f## find (a) ##∫f \vec {dl}## and (b) ##∫fdl##
along a straight line from ##(0, 0, 0)## to ##(1, 1, 0)##.

Homework Equations


##f(x,y,z) = 12xy + z##
##\vec {dl} = (\vec {dx},\vec {dy},\vec {dz})##

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
So what I'm mainly confused about is with part a, I can't seem to understand what it's referring to thus don't know how to go about starting the integral.

Is it implying that I need to parametricize the scalar function and then take the integral wrt to dl, treating it like a vector valued function approaching it with the dot product like this $$u = f(x,y,z) = 12xy + z , v = y , w = z $$ resulting in the vector function $$\vec {r}(u,v,w) = (12xy + z) \hat {\mathbf i} + y \hat {\mathbf j} + z \hat {\mathbf k} $$ with the parametrization of $$\vec {r}(t) = (t,t,0)$$ resulting in this integral $$\int (12t^2,t,0)⋅(1,1,0) dt$$

or
am I overthinking this and I'm simply looking find the line integral over each of the differential components like this: $$\int f \vec{dl} = \int f {\mathbf dx} \hat {\mathbf i} + \int f {\mathbf dy} \hat {\mathbf j} + \int f {\mathbf dz} \hat {\mathbf k}$$
 
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Neither.
I can rule out your first option because f is a scalar, so the integral must be a vector.
Your second option overlooks the interaction between x and y in the computation of f.

Parameterise the path from (0,0,0) to (1,1,0) and write f and ##\vec{dl}## in terms of that parameter.
 
So since the parametrized path is ##\vec r(t) = t \hat i + t \hat j + 0 \hat k##, is the correct path to take then to evaluate the integral like so
$$\int f(x,y,z) \vec {dl} = \int_0^1 f(x(t),y(t),z(t))(\vec {dx} \hat i + \vec {dy} \hat j +\vec {dz} \hat k)$$
$$= \int_0^1 (12t^2)x'(t)dt \hat i + \int_0^1 (12t^2)y'(t)dt \hat j + \int_0^1 (12t^2)z'(t)dt \hat k ,$$ where $$(x'(t),y'(t),z'(t)) = (1,1,0)$$ ?
 
elements said:
So since the parametrized path is ##\vec r(t) = t \hat i + t \hat j + 0 \hat k##, is the correct path to take then to evaluate the integral like so
$$\int f(x,y,z) \vec {dl} = \int_0^1 f(x(t),y(t),z(t))(\vec {dx} \hat i + \vec {dy} \hat j +\vec {dz} \hat k)$$
$$= \int_0^1 (12t^2)x'(t)dt \hat i + \int_0^1 (12t^2)y'(t)dt \hat j + \int_0^1 (12t^2)z'(t)dt \hat k ,$$ where $$(x'(t),y'(t),z'(t)) = (1,1,0)$$ ?
Yes.
 

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