Proving Stokes Theorem w/ Homework Equations

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The discussion revolves around proving Stokes' Theorem in the context of a specific integral involving a vector field, where the goal is to show that the line integral of the squared magnitude of the vector field equals a double integral involving the cross product of the vector field and the area element. Participants highlight the need to apply the identity relating the curl of the squared magnitude of the vector field to the cross product. There is confusion regarding the interpretation of the vector field and its components, particularly the role of the unit normal vector. The suggestion is made to decompose the vector-valued integral into its components to align with Stokes' Theorem. Clarification is sought on the approach to take in applying these mathematical concepts effectively.
Gregg
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Homework Statement



Prove that

## \oint_{\partial S} ||\vec{F}||^2 d\vec{F} = -\int\int_S 2 \vec{F}\times d\vec{A} ##

Homework Equations



Identities:

##\nabla \times (||\vec{F}||^2 \vec{k}) = 2\vec{F} \times \vec{k} ##

For ##\vec{k} ## constant i.e. ## \nabla \times \vec{k} = 0 ##

Stokes Theorem

##\oint_{\partial S} \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{x} = \int\int_S (\nabla \times \vec{B})\cdot d \vec{A} ##

The Attempt at a Solution



So I need to use that identity ##\nabla \times (||\vec{F}||^2 \vec{k}) = 2\vec{F} \times \vec{k} ##

The problem is that Stokes theorem is in a different form. The constant vector here I think is the k=dA.

I really can't think of what to do
 
Last edited:
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Well, \vec F is the vector field, but I'm not sure what ||\vec F|| represents in the original equation.
 
I made an error. It is a squared term.
 
Assuming that there are no more mistakes in your first post, \vec k represents the outward unit normal vector from the surface, S.
 
Maybe you should use Stokes' theorem for each component of the original vector-valued integral
\vec{I}= \oint ||\vec{F}||^2 d\vec{F}
I_x = \oint (||\vec{F}||^2 \vec{e}_x) \cdot d\vec{F}
etc. Now it's in the correct form.
 
clamtrox said:
Maybe you should use Stokes' theorem for each component of the original vector-valued integral
\vec{I}= \oint ||\vec{F}||^2 d\vec{F}
I_x = \oint (||\vec{F}||^2 \vec{e}_x) \cdot d\vec{F}
etc. Now it's in the correct form.

I don't understand this?
 
Gregg said:
I don't understand this?

\vec{e}_x is the unit vector in x-direction. The lower integral is just the x-component of your full integral. You can calculate this by taking the dot product with \vec{e}_x.
 

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