# Problems with conversions to spherical coordinates involving a line integral

1. Oct 10, 2008

### akalisman

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
given the vector A = 4r + 3theta -2phi
, find its line integral around the closed path.
(the figure contained in the book is a straight line along the x axis extending to radius a, with a curved portion of a circle with radius a centered at the origin curving back to the y axis at y= +a and then another straight line returning to the origin, the direction of the path flows counter-clockwise from the origin). Also find the surface integral of del(cross)A over enclosed area and compare results.

2. Relevant equations
A = 4r + 3theta -2phi

3. The attempt at a solution
my question regards the setup of the integral, because the A vector is given in spherical coordinates i assume the rest of the integral must also be in spherical, however what would be the ds portion used for the line integral and because the figure is given in cartesian coordinates how do you convert those into spherical coordinates? If i remember correctly it would be split into a summation of 3 different integrals for each separate path, the first and second path should be easy enough given that they are straight lines, but the second path is an arc for which the equation in rectangular coordinates would be a2 = x2 + y2, but how would you convert this to spherical coordinates as well?

2. Oct 10, 2008

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
As far as the surface integral is concerned, the path, and so the surface bounded by it, is entirely in the xy-plane so $\phi= 0$ for every point. You can write the "position vector" in terms of $\rho$ and $\theta$ as $\vec r= \rho \vec\rho+ \theta\vec\theta+ \pi\vec\phi$.