Stokes' Theorem on Intersection of Cone and Cylinder

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The discussion revolves around evaluating a line integral using Stokes' Theorem, specifically for the vector field F = <exp(x^2), x + sin(y^2), z> along the curve formed by the intersection of a cone and a cylinder. The initial approach involved parameterizing the cone in polar coordinates and calculating the curl of F, which was found to be <0, 0, 1>. However, a key error was identified regarding the area element dA, where the factor of 'r' was incorrectly included. The correct approach emphasizes that the cross product of the tangent vectors already accounts for 'r', simplifying the integration process. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the importance of accurately determining the area element in the application of Stokes' Theorem.
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Homework Statement



Note: the bullets in the equations are dot products, the X are cross products

Evaluate: [over curve c]\oint( F \bullet dr ) where F = < exp(x^2), x + sin(y^2) , z> and C is the curve formed by the intersection of the cone: z = \sqrt{(x^2 + y^2)} and the cylinder: x^2 + (y-1)^2 = 1 oriented CCW looking down from + z axis

Homework Equations



I'm assuming this is a Stokes' theorem question, so:

[over curve C]\oint F \bullet dr = [over surface S]\int\int( curl(F) \bullet dS)


The Attempt at a Solution



First, the surface looks like it's on the cone, so paramaterizing the cone in polar coordinates:

(S) r(t,r) = < rcost , rsint , r >

now for finding curl(F) i did: gradient X F = <0,0,1>

So according to the equation mentioned above,


[over curve C]\oint F \bullet dr = [over surface S]\int\int( curl(F) \bullet dS)

and: [over surface S]\int\int( curl(F) \bullet dS) = [over domain D]\int\int curl(F) \bullet < r(partial derivative with t) X r(partial derivative with r) > dA

so i found curl(F) already, < r(partial with t) X r(partial with r) > = <rcost, rsint, -r> , and dA = rdrdt
the domain is the domain of the parameters, (t,r), so plugging in the cylinder equation i get:

r = 2sint, so: 0 < r < 2sint and 0 < t < pi , and plugging all that in i get:

\int[0<t<pi]\int[0<r<2sint] <0,0,1> \bullet <rcost,rsint,-t> r dr dt

i get this down to (-8/2)\int[0 to pi] (sint)^3 dt which is = -32/9.

I know the answer is supposed to = pi , but I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time!
 
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You don't really need to go to polar coordinates. Since the curl(F)=(0,0,1) you only need to find the z component of the vector dS. If you parameterize the cone as r=(x,y,sqrt(x^2+y^2)), just find the z component of dr/dx X dr/dy (both derivatives partial, of course). I think you'll find the integrand is constant over your domain.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. I see your point, and I can solve it with your method. However, I can't quite see what's wrong with using polar coords, it feels like I'm doing the same thing.
 
goliath11 said:
Thanks for the quick reply. I see your point, and I can solve it with your method. However, I can't quite see what's wrong with using polar coords, it feels like I'm doing the same thing.

It's mostly right. What's wrong is the 'r' in dA=r*dr*dt. The cross product of the two tangent vectors already gives you that 'r'. If Tr and Tt are the two tangents, you should just have dS=Tr X Tt dr dt, not Tr X Tt r*dr*dt.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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