Surface Integral of an Inverted Paraboloid with Radius 2 and Height 4

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the surface integral of an inverted paraboloid defined by a specific radius and height, with a cutoff at a given plane. Participants are exploring the implications of the surface orientation and the correct application of vector calculus in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the gradient of the function defining the surface and its implications for the outward normal vector. There are attempts to clarify the correct orientation of the normal vector and its effect on the integral. Some participants express uncertainty about the correct formulation of the surface integral and the transformation to polar coordinates.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem, with some participants offering guidance on the orientation of the normal vector and the correct setup for the integral. Multiple interpretations of the surface orientation and the resulting calculations are being examined, indicating a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correctly identifying the area of integration and the parameters involved, as well as the need to adhere to the problem's constraints regarding the surface orientation and the limits of integration.

DryRun
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Homework Statement
http://s1.ipicture.ru/uploads/20120118/EHTTIkiQ.jpg

The attempt at a solution
I've drawn the graph in my copybook. It's an inverted paraboloid with radius 2 on the xy-plane height of 4 on the z-axis, which cuts off at plane z=3.
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=-2x\vec{i}-2y\vec{j}-\vec{k}[/tex]
[tex]|∇\vec{\phi}|=\sqrt{4x^2+4y^2+1}[/tex]
[tex]\hat{n}=\frac{∇\vec{\phi}}{|∇\vec{\phi}|}[/tex]
[tex]Flux=\int\int\frac{-2x^2-2y^2-z}{\sqrt{4x^2+4y^2+1}}\,.d\sigma[/tex]

Projecting on the xy-plane:
[tex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/tex]
[tex]z_x=-2x[/tex]
[tex]z_y=-2y[/tex]
[tex]\sigma=\sqrt{4x^2+4y^2+1}\,.dxdy[/tex]
[tex]S.A=\int\int(-2x^2-2y^2-z)\,.dxdy[/tex]
From [itex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/itex],
[tex]S.A=\int\int(-x^2-y^2-4)\,.dxdy[/tex]
Transforming to polar coordinates: x=cosθ, y=sinθ, r=1
[tex]S.A=\int^{2\pi}_0\int^1_0(-5)\,.rdrd\theta[/tex]
The answer i get is -5∏, which is wrong. The correct answer is: 9∏/2, so i don't know where i messed up.
 
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sharks said:
Homework Statement
http://s1.ipicture.ru/uploads/20120118/EHTTIkiQ.jpg

The attempt at a solution
I've drawn the graph in my copybook. It's an inverted paraboloid with radius 2 on the xy-plane height of 4 on the z-axis, which cuts off at plane z=3.
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=-2x\vec{i}-2y\vec{j}-\vec{k}[/tex]
[tex]|∇\vec{\phi}|=\sqrt{4x^2+4y^2+1}[/tex]
[tex]\hat{n}=\frac{∇\vec{\phi}}{|∇\vec{\phi}|}[/tex]

WOOPS! The orientation of your surface is given to be directed upwards. Look at the ##k## component of your vector. You need the opposite direction. That's why your sign is wrong.
[tex]Flux=\int\int\frac{-2x^2-2y^2-z}{\sqrt{4x^2+4y^2+1}}\,.d\sigma[/tex]

Projecting on the xy-plane:
[tex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/tex]
[tex]z_x=-2x[/tex]
[tex]z_y=-2y[/tex]
[tex]\sigma=\sqrt{4x^2+4y^2+1}\,.dxdy[/tex]
[tex]S.A=\int\int(-2x^2-2y^2-z)\,.dxdy[/tex]
From [itex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/itex],
[tex]S.A=\int\int(-x^2-y^2-4)\,.dxdy[/tex]
Transforming to polar coordinates: x=cosθ, y=sinθ, r=1
[tex]S.A=\int^{2\pi}_0\int^1_0(-5)\,.rdrd\theta[/tex]
The answer i get is -5∏, which is wrong. The correct answer is: 9∏/2, so i don't know where i messed up.

Remember you are integrating over an area in the xy plane. Areas require two parameters. ##x^2+y^2=1## only on the boundary of your region. The correct parameterization is ##x = r\cos\theta,\, y = r\sin\theta,\, dA=rdrd\theta## and you can't plug in ##r=1## before you integrate.
 
OK, it looks like i should start from the beginning:
[tex]\phi(x,y,z)=4-x^2-y^2-z[/tex]
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x}\vec{i}+\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y}\vec{j}+\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial z}\vec{k}[/tex]
which gives me:
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=-2x\vec{i}-2y\vec{j}-\vec{k}[/tex]
I believe this part is correct.

Now, since this problem states that the outward unit normal vector be directed upward... I'm not sure, but I'm going to assume this statement changes the expression to:
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=-2x\vec{i}-2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/tex]
Is that correct? Or should i change the sign across the entire expression? Like this:
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=2x\vec{i}+2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/tex]
I think it makes more sense to change the sign across the entire expression. But i could be wrong again.
[itex]\phi(x,y,z)=4-x^2-y^2-z[/itex] is equivalent to [itex]\phi(x,y,z)=-4+x^2+y^2+z[/itex]. Correct?
And, [itex]\phi(x,y,z)=-4+x^2+y^2+z[/itex] will yield [itex]∇\vec{\phi}=2x\vec{i}+2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/itex]
But i dare not go any further with this problem, as i have so many uncertainties.
 
Last edited:
sharks said:
OK, it looks like i should start from the beginning:
[tex]\phi(x,y,z)=4-x^2-y^2-z[/tex]
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x}\vec{i}+\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y}\vec{j}+\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial z}\vec{k}[/tex]
which gives me:
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=-2x\vec{i}-2y\vec{j}-\vec{k}[/tex]
I believe this part is correct.

Now, since this problem states that the outward unit normal vector be directed upward... I'm not sure, but I'm going to assume this statement changes the expression to:
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=-2x\vec{i}-2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/tex]
Is that correct? Or should i change the sign across the entire expression? Like this:
[tex]∇\vec{\phi}=2x\vec{i}+2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/tex]
I think it makes more sense to change the sign across the entire expression.
Of course. You only have two choices, the gradient vector ##\nabla \phi## or its opposite ##-\nabla \phi##. You always have to check and choose the one that agrees with the given orientation of the surface.
[itex]\phi(x,y,z)=4-x^2-y^2-z[/itex] is equivalent to [itex]\phi(x,y,z)=-4+x^2+y^2+z[/itex]. Correct?
And, [itex]\phi(x,y,z)=-4+x^2+y^2+z[/itex] will yield [itex]∇\vec{\phi}=2x\vec{i}+2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/itex]
But i dare not go any further with this problem, as i have so many uncertainties.

Be brave. Either way you have the normal facing the correct direction. Work the dot product out and your integrand should come out ##x^2+y^2+4## which you will change to polar coordinates.
 
[tex]\vec{F}.\hat{n}=\frac{2x^2+2y^2+z}{\sqrt{4x^2+4y^2+1}}[/tex]
[tex]S.A=\int\int(2x^2+2y^2+z)\,.dxdy[/tex]
[tex]S.A=\int\int(x^2+y^2+4)\,.dxdy[/tex]
The points of intersection of the plane z=3 and [itex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/itex] are: [itex]x^2+y^2=1[/itex]
Projecting the surface S onto the xy plane. Transforming to polar coordinates:
[tex]S.A=\int^{2\pi}_0\int^1_0(r^2+4)\,.rdrd\theta=\int^{2\pi}_0\int^1_0r^3+4r\,.drd\theta=\frac{9\pi}{2}[/tex]

Thanks, LCKurtz!:smile:
 

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