Proving Stokes' Theorem with Green's Theorem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on proving Stokes' Theorem using Green's Theorem by analyzing the vector field $\overrightarrow{F} = M \hat{i} + N \hat{j} + P \hat{k}$. The proof involves applying Green's Theorem to segments $ABE$, $BCE$, and $CDE$, leading to the equation $(\oint_{ABE} + \oint_{BCE} + \oint_{CDE}) \overrightarrow{F} d \overrightarrow{R} = \iint_{ABCDE} \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n} d \sigma$. The discussion clarifies that while both theorems appear similar, Green's Theorem is limited to 2D closed curves, whereas Stokes' Theorem applies to 3D curves. The relationship between the infinitesimal surface elements $dA$ and $\hat{n} d\sigma$ is also examined.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector calculus, specifically line and surface integrals.
  • Familiarity with Green's Theorem and Stokes' Theorem.
  • Knowledge of vector fields and curl operations.
  • Basic proficiency in mathematical notation and symbols used in calculus.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of Green's Theorem in detail.
  • Explore the generalization of Stokes' Theorem in higher dimensions.
  • Learn about the physical interpretations of curl and circulation in vector fields.
  • Investigate examples of Stokes' Theorem applied to various vector fields in 3D space.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and educators looking to deepen their understanding of vector calculus, particularly in the context of Stokes' and Green's Theorems.

mathmari
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
4,984
Reaction score
7
Hey! :o

View attachment 2092

$\overrightarrow{F}=M \hat{i}+ N \hat{j}+ P \hat{k}$

To prove the Stokes' Theorem we apply Green's Theroem at $ABE$, $BCE$, $CDE$.

$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$
$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F} }d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_B^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^B{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_C^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^C{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}$

Isn't the Green's Theorem:
$\oint_S{\overrightarrow{F} d \overrightarrow{R}}=\iint_R{\nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} dA}$?
Is this the same as $\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$?
 

Attachments

  • green.png
    green.png
    3.4 KB · Views: 149
Physics news on Phys.org
mathmari said:
Hey! :o

View attachment 2092

$\overrightarrow{F}=M \hat{i}+ N \hat{j}+ P \hat{k}$

To prove the Stokes' Theorem we apply Green's Theroem at $ABE$, $BCE$, $CDE$.

$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$
$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F} }d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_B^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^B{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_C^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^C{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}$

Isn't the Green's Theorem:
$\oint_S{\overrightarrow{F} d \overrightarrow{R}}=\iint_R{\nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} dA}$?
Is this the same as $\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$?

Hi! (Blush)

They look the same, but they are not.

Green's Theorem only applies to closed curves in a 2D plane (usually the XY plane).
Stokes' Theorem is more general and applies to any 3D curve that is the boundary of a surface.

Your proof seems to split up a 3D curve into 3 2D curves.
 
I like Serena said:
Hi! (Blush)

They look the same, but they are not.

Green's Theorem only applies to closed curves in a 2D plane (usually the XY plane).
Stokes' Theorem is more general and applies to any 3D curve that is the boundary of a surface.

Your proof seems to split up a 3D curve into 3 2D curves.

Is $\hat{n} d \sigma = dA$?

So can we replace $\iint_{ABCDE} \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n} d \sigma$ with $\iint_{ABCDE} \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot dA$ ?? (Wondering)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
mathmari said:
Is $\hat{n} d \sigma = dA$.

So can we replace $\iint_{ABCDE} \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n} d \sigma$ with $\iint_{ABCDE} \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot dA$ ?? (Wondering)

Yes and no.
The symbol $dA$ can indeed mean $\hat n d\sigma$.
But in this particular case I believe $dA$ is supposed to be an infinitesimal surface element in the XY plane, because that is its meaning in Green's theorem.
And $\hat n d\sigma$ is intended to be an infinitesimal surface element in 3D, which is how it is used in Stokes' theorem. (Wasntme)
 
I like Serena said:
Yes and no.
The symbol $dA$ can indeed mean $\hat n d\sigma$.
But in this particular case I believe $dA$ is supposed to be an infinitesimal surface element in the XY plane, because that is its meaning in Green's theorem.
And $\hat n d\sigma$ is intended to be an infinitesimal surface element in 3D, which is how it is used in Stokes' theorem. (Wasntme)

Applying the Green's theorem at $ABE, BCE, CDE$ we get:
$$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$$

Since it is the Green's theorem, why don't we use $dA$? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
Applying the Green's theorem at $ABE, BCE, CDE$ we get:
$$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$$

Since it is the Green's theorem, why don't we use $dA$? (Wondering)

I don't know.
It's just a symbol and either can be used anyway. (Wasntme)
 
mathmari said:
$\overrightarrow{F}=M \hat{i}+ N \hat{j}+ P \hat{k}$

To prove the Stokes' Theorem we apply Green's Theroem at $ABE$, $BCE$, $CDE$.

$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$
$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F} }d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_B^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^B{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_C^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^C{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}$

Why do we take at the integral $\displaystyle{\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma}$ the limit $ABCDE$, and at the integral $\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}$ we take the same limit??(Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
$\overrightarrow{F}=M \hat{i}+ N \hat{j}+ P \hat{k}$

To prove the Stokes' Theorem we apply Green's Theroem at $ABE$, $BCE$, $CDE$.

$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$
$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F} }d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_B^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^B{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_C^E{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}+\int_E^C{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}=\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}$

mathmari said:
Why do we take at the integral $\displaystyle{\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma}$ the limit $ABCDE$, and at the integral $\oint_{ABCDE}{\overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}$ we take the same limit??(Wondering)

In the first line we have from Green's theorem that:
$$\oint_{ABE} \overrightarrow{F}d \overrightarrow{R} = \iint_{ABE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$$
So:
$$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}
=\iint_{ABE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma
+\iint_{BCE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma
+ \iint_{CDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$$
Those 3 surface integrals on the right hand side can be bundled to yield:
$$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}
=\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$$In the second line:
$$(\oint_{ABE}+\oint_{BCE}+\oint_{CDE}){ \overrightarrow{F}}d \overrightarrow{R}$$
we follow the path of the line integrals.
In this path for instance BE is first traversed in one direction and than back in the other direction.
We can split this path up in the path ABCDE and the traversals of each of BE and CE back and forth.As a result we can conclude that the right hand side of the first line must be equal to the right hand side of the second line. (Mmm)
 

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K