Line Integrals around a Square on the x-y Plane

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating line integrals around a square in the x-y plane, specifically the integrals \(\int dl\) and \(\int d\mathbf{l}\). Participants noted that for the segments OA and AB, the integral yields a value of \(a\), while for segments BC and CO, the change in x results in conflicting answers of \(4a\) and \(0\). The consensus is to parametrize each segment and compute the integrals explicitly, ensuring careful attention to integration directions to avoid discrepancies in results.

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Homework Statement


Evaluate the following line integrals, showing your working. The path of integration in each case is anticlockwise around the four sides of the square OABC in the x−y plane whose edges are aligned with the coordinate axes. The length of each side of the square is a and one corner O is the origin.
(i) ##\int dl ##
(ii)## \int d\mathbf{l}##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


i:
For each the sections OA and AB, the integral gets a value ##a##. This is clear.

However, for the sections BC and CO, the change in x is in the negative x direction.

Basically I have 2 different answers ##4a## and ##0##, which is correct? Thank you.

ii:

Same problem, I have 2 answers: ##2a\mathbf{i} + 2a\mathbf{j}## or ##0\mathbf{i}+0\mathbf{j}##
 
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I suggest you parametrise each segment and explicitly compute the integrals. Pay particular attention to the integration directions.
 

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