# Scalar field

JaysFan31

## Homework Statement

Let S be a simple parametrically defined surface with boundary C as in Stokes' Theorem. Let f and g be two continuously differentiable scalar fields defined on S. Let n be a choice of unit normal on S. If grad(f) is perpendicular to grad(g) x n everywhere on S, show that integral of fgrad(g)*dr=0.
Note: x is cross product and * is dot product

## Homework Equations

Stokes' Theorem:
integral of F*dr=integral of curlF*ndS

## The Attempt at a Solution

I'm pretty confused on this one.
First off, what does the perpendicular part mean? What does it tell me? Doesn't it just tell me that the cross product exists everywhere? How does this information help me solve the problem and show that the integration equals zero?

HallsofIvy
Homework Helper
You do not know what "perpendicular" means? It means here exactly what it means in elementary geometry- that the two vectors are at right angles to one another. What you are really asking is "What does it tell me". No, it does not tell you that the cross product exists everywhere! As long as the two vectors exists, their cross product exists. What it tells you is much simpler than that: that the dot product of the two vectors is 0.

Dick
Homework Helper
To solve this (and the last post) all you need are some vector identities. Here they are at no extra charge. f is a scalar, a,b,c are vectors. (. is dot, * is scalar multiply).

a.(bxc)=b.(cxa)=c.(axb)

I'm not charging for this service because I'm sure you already had them.

JaysFan31
Ok. So I get that
grad(f) . (grad(g) x n)=0 where x is cross product and . is dot product since the vectors are perpendicular.

Using the second identity shown,