Stokes' Theorem parameterization

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The discussion revolves around applying Stokes' Theorem to a problem involving a parameterized circle and the curl of a vector field. Participants express confusion about separating the components of the vector field and the line integral, particularly regarding the dot product and the meaning of the components. The correct approach involves finding the curl of the vector field, parameterizing the surface, and determining the unit normal vector, which should be orthogonal to the surface. The conversation emphasizes the need to integrate over the area bounded by the curve while ensuring the normal vector is correctly defined. Ultimately, understanding the geometric interpretation and proper parameterization is crucial for solving the integral using Stokes' Theorem.
reminiscent
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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations



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The Attempt at a Solution


I only know that they gave the parameterization of the circle: r(t) = <cost, sint, 2>.
My problem is, did they already give the curl of F in the line integral? I don't understand why dx, dy, and dz are separated like that.
 
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If ##\vec{F} = F_x\,\hat{i}+F_y\,\hat{j}+F_z\,\hat{k}## and ##d\vec{r} = dx\,\hat{i} + dy \,\hat{j} + dz\,\hat{k}##, what's ##\vec{F}\cdot d\vec{r}## equal to?
 
vela said:
If ##\vec{F} = F_x\,\hat{i}+F_y\,\hat{j}+F_z\,\hat{k}## and ##d\vec{r} = dx\,\hat{i} + dy \,\hat{j} + dz\,\hat{k}##, what's ##\vec{F}\cdot d\vec{r}## equal to?
It would equal Fxdx + Fydy + Fzdz, but wouldn't it be simplified to just F?
 
What do you mean "simplified to just F"?
 
vela said:
What do you mean "simplified to just F"?
For example, (F/dx)(dx), so the dx would cancel out. That happens to each. Actually, wouldn't it be 3F?
 
##\vec{F}## is a vector-valued function. ##F_x## is the x-component of ##\vec{F}##, not the derivative of ##F## with respect to ##x##. Besides, the expression ##F/dx## is meaningless.
 
vela said:
##\vec{F}## is a vector-valued function. ##F_x## is the x-component of ##\vec{F}##, not the derivative of ##F## with respect to ##x##. Besides, the expression ##F/dx## is meaningless.
Oh right, so do I just take the derivative of the parameterization which will give me values equal to dx, dy, dz and plug that into the original integral? Do I also plug in the parameterization into F?
 
Sounds like a plan.
 
vela said:
Sounds like a plan.
How would you go about simplifying the integral though? Some parts are fine but how about e^(-cos^2(t)/2), for example?
 
  • #10
You don't. The problem is asking you to evaluate the integral using Stoke's theorem.
 
  • #11
vela said:
You don't. The problem is asking you to evaluate the integral using Stoke's theorem.
So is the answer just:
∫t=0 to t=2pi (-e-cos2t/2sint+2sin2t+e-sin2t/2cost+4cos2t)dt
 
  • #12
No. That isn't using Stoke's theorem. The other side of Stoke's theorem is$$
\iint_S \nabla \times \vec F \cdot d\vec S$$Do that.
 
  • #13
LCKurtz said:
No. That isn't using Stoke's theorem. The other side of Stoke's theorem is$$
\iint_S \nabla \times \vec F \cdot d\vec S$$Do that.
So do I find the curl of F first, plug in the parameterization into the curl, then multiply it with the normal vector using dot product?
I'm having a hard time relating these things I think.
 
  • #14
reminiscent said:
So do I find the curl of F first,

Yes

plug in the parameterization into the curl,

Not sure what you mean by "the" parameterization. You are given the parametrization of a curve enclosing an area. You are going to need to parameterize that area and use that. You will need two parameters for a surface.

then multiply it with the normal vector using dot product?
I'm having a hard time relating these things I think.

You will have to show us what you do before we can tell if you are doing it correctly.
 
  • #15
LCKurtz said:
Yes
Not sure what you mean by "the" parameterization. You are given the parametrization of a curve enclosing an area. You are going to need to parameterize that area and use that. You will need two parameters for a surface.
You will have to show us what you do before we can tell if you are doing it correctly.
So far, I found the curl to be <-x, -y, 2z+2>. Do I find the normal vector by using the circle's parameterization?
 
  • #16
reminiscent said:
So far, I found the curl to be <-x, -y, 2z+2>. Do I find the normal vector by using the circle's parameterization?

Let's call that vector you got ##\vec V = \langle -x,-y,2z+2\rangle##, which looks correct for the curl. So now you need to integrate ##\vec V\cdot d\vec S## over the described area up in the ##z=2## plane. Your next issue is to figure out ##d\vec S##. How do you find the area vector? If you look at the geometry for this problem, it should be easy to figure out a unit normal vector and an area element. You can worry about the integral after you figure out the integrand.
 
  • #17
LCKurtz said:
Let's call that vector you got ##\vec V = \langle -x,-y,2z+2\rangle##, which looks correct for the curl. So now you need to integrate ##\vec V\cdot d\vec S## over the described area up in the ##z=2## plane. Your next issue is to figure out ##d\vec S##. How do you find the area vector? If you look at the geometry for this problem, it should be easy to figure out a unit normal vector and an area element. You can worry about the integral after you figure out the integrand.
I think what I am confused about is do you use F or the circle to find the unit normal vector?
 
  • #18
reminiscent said:
I think what I am confused about is do you use F or the circle to find the unit normal vector?
You are given a curve which encloses a surface. Surfaces have normal vectors. It doesn't have anything to do with the vector ##\vec F##. I suggest you draw a picture of your surface.
 
  • #19
LCKurtz said:
You are given a curve which encloses a surface. Surfaces have normal vectors. It doesn't have anything to do with the vector ##\vec F##. I suggest you draw a picture of your surface.
Is the unit normal vector just <cost, sint, 2>?
 
  • #20
reminiscent said:
Is the unit normal vector just <cost, sint, 2>?
No. That isn't even a unit vector. It is a parametric equation of your circular boundary. Surely your text tells you how to calculate a normal vector to a surface. Or you could just draw a picture of the surface for this problem and look at it.
 
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  • #21
LCKurtz said:
No. That isn't even a unit vector. It is a parametric equation of your circular boundary. Surely your text tells you how to calculate a normal vector to a surface. Or you could just draw a picture of the surface for this problem and look at it.
Okay, I have two answers I am unsure about for the normal vector. What would you say about <0,0,r>?
 
  • #22
reminiscent said:
Okay, I have two answers I am unsure about for the normal vector. What would you say about <0,0,r>?
I would be confused about the use of ##r## because you are using it for the curve so I'm not sure what you are thinking.
 
  • #23
Do you have a textbook with worked out examples?
 
  • #24
LCKurtz said:
I would be confused about the use of ##r## because you are using it for the curve so I'm not sure what you are thinking.
How about <sint, -cost, 0>? Sorry, I came up with these with my classmates.
vela said:
Do you have a textbook with worked out examples?
No, we just depend on MyMathLab and the examples our professor has done in class, but we have not done anything like this.
 
  • #25
LCKurtz said:
I would be confused about the use of ##r## because you are using it for the curve so I'm not sure what you are thinking.
He also did not really explain well how to find the unit normal vector...
 
  • #26
1. Do you know how to find a unit normal vector to the ##xy## plane?

2. Where is the surface we are talking about located?
 
  • #27
LCKurtz said:
1. Do you know how to find a unit normal vector to the ##xy## plane?

2. Where is the surface we are talking about located?
The gradient of F divided by the magnitude of the gradient.
Is at located at z=2?
Sorry, I feel like I know nothing now...
In class, we discussed about how to find this normal vector. We did:
<a,b,c>⋅<cost,sint,2>=0 (since the normal vector should be orthogonal to the surface)
a=sint
b=-cost
c=0
Therefore, the normal vector = <sint,-cost,0>.
 
  • #28
reminiscent said:
No, we just depend on MyMathLab and the examples our professor has done in class, but we have not done anything like this.
It would be a good idea to get your hands on a textbook. There's a free one at OpenStax, and I'm sure there are others available for free as well. It'll help fill in the blanks that your professor may have skipped or glossed over in class.
 
  • #29
<cos t, sin t, 2> is the boundary of the surface S. You can use any surface that has that curve as its boundary. The simplest one to use is a flat surface. Have you sketched it or at least have a picture of the surface in your mind? Tell us in words which way a vector perpendicular to that surface points. You don't need to use any dot products, etc., here; just reason it out geometrically.
 
  • #30
vela said:
<cos t, sin t, 2> is the boundary of the surface S. You can use any surface that has that curve as its boundary. The simplest one to use is a flat surface. Have you sketched it or at least have a picture of the surface in your mind? Tell us in words which way a vector perpendicular to that surface points. You don't need to use any dot products, etc., here; just reason it out geometrically.
Isn't it a unit circle centered at (0,0,2)? So the vector perpendicular to it will either point upwards or downwards directly from the surface... Am I even thinking correctly?
 

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