Showing Divergence Theorem Equivalence

Eruditee
Messages
13
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The problem states that a cube encloses charge. This cube is given in three space by <0,0,0> and <a,a,a>. The electric field is given by:
\hat{E}=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}[\frac{xy}{a^{2}}\hat{i}+\frac{(y-x)}{a}\hat{j}+\frac{xyz}{a^{2}}\hat{k}]. I am to find the total charge enclosed using both methods or "sides" of the divergence theorem equivalence.

Homework Equations


\displaystyle \iiint \limits_U \left({\nabla \cdot \mathbf F} \right) d V = \iint \limits_{\partial U} \mathbf F \cdot \mathbf n \ d S
\nabla=\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\hat{i}+\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\hat{j}+\frac{\partial}{\partial z}\hat{k}

The Attempt at a Solution



The first half worked out fine and makes sense, so I think this part is right. Do note; I do get a bit sloppy with notation; this is a rough draft:
\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}\nabla\bullet EdV
\nabla\bullet\hat{E}=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}[<br /> \frac{y}{a^{2}}\hat{i}+\frac{1}{a}\hat{j}+\frac{xy}{a^{2}}\hat{k}]

\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}(\frac{y}{a^{2}}+\frac{1}{a}+\frac{xy}{a^{2}})dV
=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int(\frac{y}{a^{2}}+\frac{1}{a}+\frac{xy}{a^{2}})dx(dA)=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}(\int(\frac{y}{a^{2}})dx+\int\frac{1}{a}dx)+\int\frac{xy}{a^{2}}dx)dA=\frac{yx}{a^{2}}+\frac{x}{a}+\frac{x^{2}y}{2a^{2}}|_{0}^{a}=\frac{y}{a}+1+\frac{y}{2}<br /> [\itex]<br /> =\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int_{0}^{a}(\frac{y}{a}+1+\frac{y}{2}dy)dz=\frac{y^{2}}{2a}+y+\frac{y^{2}}{4a}|_{0}^{a}=\frac{a}{2}+a+\frac{a}{4}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> =\int\frac{a}{2}+a+\frac{a}{4}dz=\frac{az}{2}+az+\frac{az}{4}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}+a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4})=\frac{3a^{2}}{4}*\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}=\frac{3e}{e_{0}}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> which makes sense, as there are 3 faces in which flux can go by?<br /> <br /> However, the surface integral is a mess:<br /> when z=a ; Sz(surface raised from xy by a)=a<br /> \int\int\hat{F}\bullet\hat{dS}=\int\int F\bullet-kdxdy&lt;br /&gt; =-\int_{0}^{a}\frac{xyz}{a^{2}}dxdy=-z\int_{0}^{a}\frac{xy}{a^{2}}dxdy=-\int\frac{x^{2}y}{2a^{2}}dy=\frac{-x^{2}z}{2a^{2}}\int ydy=\frac{-x^{2}zy^{2}}{4a^{2}}=-\frac{a^{3}}{4}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> likewise:<br /> \int\int\hat{F}\bullet\hat{dS}=\int\int F\bullet jdxdy&lt;br /&gt; =\frac{1}{a}\int_{0}^{a}(y-x)dxdz=\frac{1}{a}\int yx-\frac{x^{2}}{2}dz=yxz-\frac{x^{2}z}{2}=a^{2}-\frac{a^{2}}{2}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> \int\int\hat{F}\bullet\hat{dS}=\int\int F\bullet idydz&lt;br /&gt; =\int&lt;br /&gt; \frac{xy}{a^{2}}dydz=\frac{x}{a^{2}}\int ydydz=\int\frac{xy^{2}}{2}dz=\frac{xy^{2}z}{a^{2}}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> And the total:<br /> a^{2}-\frac{a^{3}}{4}=\frac{4a^{2}-a^{3}}{4}=\frac{a^{2}(4-a)}{4}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> <br /> which I know is wrong because the flux is zero at a=4. <br /> <br /> Where am I going wrong? I haven&#039;t done surface/volume integrals in about 4-5 years, so bear with me. I&#039;m trying to relearn through Boas.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Eruditee said:

Homework Statement


The problem states that a cube encloses charge. This cube is given in three space by <0,0,0> and <a,a,a>. The electric field is given by:
\hat{E}=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}[\frac{xy}{a^{2}}\hat{i}+\frac{(y-x)}{a}\hat{j}+\frac{xyz}{a^{2}}\hat{k}]. I am to find the total charge enclosed using both methods or "sides" of the divergence theorem equivalence.


Homework Equations


\displaystyle \iiint \limits_U \left({\nabla \cdot \mathbf F} \right) d V = \iint \limits_{\partial U} \mathbf F \cdot \mathbf n \ d S
\nabla=\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\hat{i}+\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\hat{j}+\frac{\partial}{\partial z}\hat{k}


The Attempt at a Solution



The first half worked out fine and makes sense, so I think this part is right. Do note; I do get a bit sloppy with notation; this is a rough draft:
\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}\nabla\bullet EdV
\nabla\bullet\hat{E}=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}[<br /> \frac{y}{a^{2}}\hat{i}+\frac{1}{a}\hat{j}+\frac{xy}{a^{2}}\hat{k}]

\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}\int_{0}^{a}(\frac{y}{a^{2}}+\frac{1}{a}+\frac{xy}{a^{2}})dV
=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int(\frac{y}{a^{2}}+\frac{1}{a}+\frac{xy}{a^{2}})dx(dA)=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}(\int(\frac{y}{a^{2}})dx+\int\frac{1}{a}dx)+\int\frac{xy}{a^{2}}dx)dA=\frac{yx}{a^{2}}+\frac{x}{a}+\frac{x^{2}y}{2a^{2}}|_{0}^{a}=\frac{y}{a}+1+\frac{y}{2}<br /> [\itex]<br /> =\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int_{0}^{a}(\frac{y}{a}+1+\frac{y}{2}dy)dz=\frac{y^{2}}{2a}+y+\frac{y^{2}}{4a}|_{0}^{a}=\frac{a}{2}+a+\frac{a}{4}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> =\int\frac{a}{2}+a+\frac{a}{4}dz=\frac{az}{2}+az+\frac{az}{4}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}+a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4})=\frac{3a^{2}}{4}*\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}=\frac{3e}{e_{0}}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> which makes sense, as there are 3 faces in which flux can go by?<br /> <br /> However, the surface integral is a mess:<br /> when z=a ; Sz(surface raised from xy by a)=a<br /> \int\int\hat{F}\bullet\hat{dS}=\int\int F\bullet-kdxdy&lt;br /&gt; =-\int_{0}^{a}\frac{xyz}{a^{2}}dxdy=-z\int_{0}^{a}\frac{xy}{a^{2}}dxdy=-\int\frac{x^{2}y}{2a^{2}}dy=\frac{-x^{2}z}{2a^{2}}\int ydy=\frac{-x^{2}zy^{2}}{4a^{2}}=-\frac{a^{3}}{4}&lt;br /&gt;
<br /> Your normal is pointing in the wrong direction. It should point outward from the volume, so on the z=a face, it should point in the ##+\hat{k}## direction.<br /> <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="" data-source="" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> likewise:<br /> \int\int\hat{F}\bullet\hat{dS}=\int\int F\bullet jdxdy&lt;br /&gt; =\frac{1}{a}\int_{0}^{a}(y-x)dxdz=\frac{1}{a}\int yx-\frac{x^{2}}{2}dz=yxz-\frac{x^{2}z}{2}=a^{2}-\frac{a^{2}}{2}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> \int\int\hat{F}\bullet\hat{dS}=\int\int F\bullet idydz&lt;br /&gt; =\int&lt;br /&gt; \frac{xy}{a^{2}}dydz=\frac{x}{a^{2}}\int ydydz=\int\frac{xy^{2}}{2}dz=\frac{xy^{2}z}{a^{2}}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> And the total:<br /> a^{2}-\frac{a^{3}}{4}=\frac{4a^{2}-a^{3}}{4}=\frac{a^{2}(4-a)}{4}&lt;br /&gt;<br /> <br /> which I know is wrong because the flux is zero at a=4. <br /> <br /> Where am I going wrong? I haven&#039;t done surface/volume integrals in about 4-5 years, so bear with me. I&#039;m trying to relearn through Boas. </div> </div> </blockquote>You need to calculate the flux through all six faces and sum them.<br /> <br /> Also, your expression for ##\vec{E}## looks wrong. Should the z-component be ##xyz/a^3## rather than ##xyz/a^2##? It doesn&#039;t work out dimensionally otherwise.<br /> <br /> Finally, I got a different result for the integral of the divergence, so you probably made an error integrating somewhere. Your setup looked fine.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
Corrected

vela said:
Your normal is pointing in the wrong direction. It should point outward from the volume, so on the z=a face, it should point in the ##+\hat{k}## direction.


You need to calculate the flux through all six faces and sum them.

Also, your expression for ##\vec{E}## looks wrong. Should the z-component be ##xyz/a^3## rather than ##xyz/a^2##? It doesn't work out dimensionally otherwise.

Finally, I got a different result for the integral of the divergence, so you probably made an error integrating somewhere. Your setup looked fine.

Thankx, it was a cubed!

I actually made a mistake in the addition; it should be:
=\int\frac{a}{2}+a+\frac{a}{4}dz=\frac{az}{2}+az+\frac{az}{4}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}+a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4})+a^{2}=\frac{7a^{2}}{4}*\frac{7e}{4a^{2}e_{0}}=\frac{7e}{4e_{0}}
I'm a bit lost with the surface integral.
 
Last edited:
Eruditee said:
Thankx, it was a cubed!

I redid the integral. Somehow, I decided to add an a in just the right place to make it consistent with the a cubed variety. Also, it comes out pretty neatly to be 3 times the charge through a plane, which makes sense because there's three flux possibilities? The professor I have seems to set up most of his problems to have a usually simple answer.
I'm not sure what you mean by three flux possibilities, but the integral should evaluate to ##\frac{7 e}{\epsilon_0}##.

It does look like that's the correct integral of divergence, but I'm not integrating properly for the surfaces. If I hold a surface constant, doesn't that mean the volume is just the area*the height of the surface, which is what I'm trying to do?
There's no volume involved in doing the surface integrals. I'm not sure what you're getting at.
 
vela said:
I'm not sure what you mean by three flux possibilities, but the integral should evaluate to ##\frac{7 e}{\epsilon_0}##.


There's no volume involved in doing the surface integrals. I'm not sure what you're getting at.

Sorry, I edited it before seeing your response. I'm getting 7/4ths. I'll try it again. thank you.
 
Right Answer

Eruditee said:
Sorry, I edited it before seeing your response. I'm getting 7/4ths. I'll try it again. thank you.
Yes, same answer youu got, forgot the constant coeff. I should do this much more neatly in lyx; the whole issue was adding improperly there.

Ok, so I finally got it done:
=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int(\frac{y}{a^{2}}+\frac{1}{a}+\frac{xy}{a^{3}})dx(dA)=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}(\int(\frac{y}{a^{2}})dx+\int\frac{1}{a}dx)+\int\frac{xy}{a^{3}}dx)dA=\frac{yx}{a^{2}}+\frac{x}{a}+\frac{x^{2}y}{2a^{3}}|_{0}^{a}=\frac{y}{a}+1+\frac{y}{2a}<br />
=\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}\int_{0}^{a}(\frac{y}{a}+1+\frac{y}{2a}dy)dz=\frac{y^{2}}{2a}+y+\frac{y^{2}}{4a}|_{0}^{a}=\frac{a}{2}+a+\frac{a}{4}
=\int\frac{a}{2}+a+\frac{a}{4}dz=\frac{az}{2}+az+\frac{az}{4}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}+a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4})+a^{2}=\frac{7a^{2}}{4}*\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}=
\frac{7e}{e_{0}}<br />

And by the surface integral:
First at x=0 (the yz axis)<br /> <br /> \int\int F\bullet-idydx=0<br />
x=a<br /> <br /> \int\int F\bullet idydx=\frac{x}{a^{2}}\int\int ydydz=\frac{y^{2}zx}{2a^{2}}=\frac{a^{4}}{2a^{2}}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}<br />
at y=0<br /> <br /> \int\int F\bullet-jdxdz=\frac{1}{a}\int\int xdxdy=\frac{x^{2}z}{2a}=\frac{a^{2}}{2}<br />
This is where I went wrong; I automatically assumed this plane to be of zero when there was a y-x term not y-xy term or so.
at y = a<br /> <br /> \int\int F\bullet jdxdz=\frac{1}{a}\int(y-x)dxdz=yxz-\frac{x^{2}z}{2}=\frac{a^{3}-\frac{a^{3}}{2}}{a}=a^{2}-\frac{a^{2}}{2}<br />
at z = 0<br /> <br /> \int\int F\bullet-kdxdz=0<br />
at z=a<br /> <br /> \int\int F\bullet kdxdz=\frac{z}{a^{3}}\int xydxdy=\frac{x^{2}y^{2}z}{4a^{3}}=\frac{a^{5}}{4a^{3}}=\frac{a^{2}}{4}<br />

\frac{a^{2}}{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{2}+a^{2}-\frac{a^{2}}{2}+\frac{a}{4}=a^{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{2}+\frac{a^{2}}{4}=a^{2}(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4})+a^{2}=\frac{7a^{2}}{4}*\frac{4e}{a^{2}e_{0}}=\frac{7e}{e_{0}}<br />

Thank you!

Aside: On a side note, I'm using lyx. I'm actually a MSCS student; I just want to work on scientific computation. Is there a real urgency in learning LaTex itself outside of WYSIG?
 
Last edited:
Good work!

I don't know if there's an urgency to learn LaTeX for your field, but it's not very hard to get decent at it.
 
Back
Top