'Physics' Terms for Integral quantities?

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The discussion centers on the term "flux," which is commonly associated with surface integrals in physics. Participants explore whether there are equivalent terms for line and volume integrals, suggesting names like "linflux" and "volux." However, it is clarified that "flux" inherently involves a surface, making analogous terms for line and volume integrals problematic. The consensus indicates that while line integrals can relate to concepts like flow, there is no established terminology equivalent to flux for these integrals. Overall, the conversation highlights the unique nature of flux in relation to surface integrals without a clear parallel for line or volume integrals.
greswd
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'Flux' is often used to describe quantities associated with a surface integral.

I wonder if there are corresponding terms for the line and volume integrals. Linflux? Volux?
 
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Here's an article on flux:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flux

With respect to your question, I've never heard of formal terms for flux of a line integral or volume integral.

The nearest thing I could think of is flow for a line integral and even that is used with the others.

Perhaps one of the math mentors can pitch in here @micromass or @Mark44 or @HallsofIvy
 
greswd said:
'Flux' is often used to describe quantities associated with a surface integral.

I wonder if there are corresponding terms for the line and volume integrals. Linflux? Volux?

I'm puzzled. A "flux", by definition, is the rate of flow of something through a surface! You can't remove the surface from it, because that is part of its definition.

This is like asking for an electron with charge -3e.

A "line" flux makes no sense because a mathematical line that we use has no width. A "volume" flux also makes no sense, because a flux through a closed surface, i.e. enclosing a volume, is already part of our standard idea of flux.

Zz.
 
I think both of you have misunderstood my question.

I was wondering if there is a physics term to label a line integral in the manner in which flux 'labels' surface integrals.

Just want to know whether there are other names for a line integral that relate to physics
 
greswd said:
I think both of you have misunderstood my question.

I was wondering if there is a physics term to label a line integral in the manner in which flux 'labels' surface integrals.

Just want to know whether there are other names for a line integral that relate to physics

We would have understood you better if you care to explain what you want. For example, what does "...label a line integral in the manner in which flux 'labels' surface integral... " mean? Label?

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
We would have understood you better if you care to explain what you want. For example, what does "...label a line integral in the manner in which flux 'labels' surface integral... " mean? Label?
Zz.

Ok pal, don't need to be so condescending. I can't hear the tone of your voice but the one I'm hearing in my head sounds like that. I don't know if its just me or if that's your intention but this is my feedback, You got to be mindful online that text can't convey emotion very well.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if there are alternate terms related to line and volume integrals like flux is related to surface integrals
 
I give up.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
I give up.

Zz.

I wasn't trying to scold you, I stated that it was just my feedback.

I think that its a good thing. What if you had been offending people all the time without intending to? Relax.

(the reason I mentioned 'condescending is because Zz said "if you care to explain")
 
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I think you misunderstand what flux is. Flux is some quantity passing through a surface, so it is not just a surface integral. It is a surface of a vector field projected normally to said surface.

To my knowledge, there isn't such a term or concept applying to line or volume integrals, as they aren't generally used in the same way. Sometimes you'll see line integrals used similarly with a vector field but it is often just a flux that has been simplified so that the depth is assumed to be unity (or other such simplification).
 
  • #10
boneh3ad said:
I think you misunderstand what flux is. Flux is some quantity passing through a surface, so it is not just a surface integral. It is a surface of a vector field projected normally to said surface.

To my knowledge, there isn't such a term or concept applying to line or volume integrals, as they aren't generally used in the same way. Sometimes you'll see line integrals used similarly with a vector field but it is often just a flux that has been simplified so that the depth is assumed to be unity (or other such simplification).
oh, no, I'm not saying that flux is equivalent to surface integrals. Potential difference use line integrals alot.
 

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