Homework Help: Path integral over a function with image in a circunference

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let [itex]\vec{F}: ℝ^{2}->ℝ^{2}[/itex] be a continuous vector field in which, for every [itex](x, y), \vec{F}(x, y)[/itex] is parallel to [itex]x\vec{i}+y\vec{j}[/itex]. Evaluate [itex]\int_{γ}\vec{F}\cdot d\vec{r}[/itex] where [itex]γ:[a, b]->ℝ^{2}[/itex] is a curve of class [itex]C^{1}[/itex], and it's imagem is contained in the circunference centered in the origin and with radius [itex]r>0[/itex].


3. The attempt at a solution
We know that [itex]\vec{F}(x, y)=a(x\vec{i}+y\vec{j})[/itex], where [itex]a[/itex] is a constant, and we need to evaluate [itex]\int^{b}_{a}\vec{F}(γ(t))\cdot γ'(t)dt[/itex]. So?...

Thanks

 

[itex]γ '(t)[/itex] is a tangent to [itex]x^{2}+y^{2}=r[/itex] at any given [itex](x, y)[/itex], but not every [itex]\vec{F}(x, y)[/itex] is perpendicular to the circunference, so the dot product has many possible values, and my argument must be wrong HEHE

Thanks

 

Indeed it is, my mistake. So I know that F and γ' are always perpendicular, hence the path integral is equal to 0. Now, how may I write this rigorously, I mean, not using just the geometric description?

Many Thanks

 

Nice. So let [itex]R=(r cos(t), r sin(t))[/itex], then R is a parametric form for [itex]γ[/itex], when we let r constant. Then we have [itex]\int_{γ}\vec{F} \cdot d\vec{r}=\int^{d}_{c}F(R) \cdot R' dt=ar^{2}\int^{d}_{c}0 \cdot dt=0[/itex] for any d and c.

Is it correct?
Thank you