Proving Stokes' Theorem with Green's Theorem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between Stokes' Theorem and Green's Theorem, particularly in the context of proving Stokes' Theorem using Green's Theorem. Participants explore the application of these theorems to specific curves and surfaces, questioning the equivalence of certain integral expressions and the dimensionality of the curves involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that Green's Theorem applies to closed curves in a 2D plane, while Stokes' Theorem is applicable to 3D curves that bound a surface.
  • There is a question about whether the expression $\iint_{ABCDE} \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n} d \sigma$ can be replaced with $\iint_{ABCDE} \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot dA$.
  • One participant suggests that $dA$ is intended as an infinitesimal surface element in the XY plane, while $\hat{n} d\sigma$ is for 3D surfaces, indicating a potential distinction in their meanings.
  • Another participant raises a question about the limits taken in the integrals, seeking clarification on why the same limits are used for both the surface integral and the line integral.
  • There is a discussion about the bundling of surface integrals from Green's Theorem to arrive at an expression for Stokes' Theorem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability and interpretation of Green's Theorem versus Stokes' Theorem. There is no consensus on whether the integral expressions are equivalent, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the dimensionality and definitions of the integrals involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential limitations in understanding the symbols and their meanings in different contexts, particularly regarding the definitions of $dA$ and $\hat{n} d\sigma$. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the implications of splitting curves and surfaces in the application of the theorems.

mathmari
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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 $\iint_{ABCDE}{ \nabla \times \overrightarrow{F} \cdot \hat{n}}d \sigma$?
 

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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)
 

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