Surface Integrals: Evaluate A.n dS on 2x+y=6 Plane in 1st Octant

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the surface integral of the vector field A = (y, 2x, -z) over the surface of the plane defined by the equation 2x + y = 6, constrained to the first octant and cut off by the plane z = 4.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the normal vector to the plane and its implications for the integral setup. There are attempts to establish the limits of integration based on the intersections of the plane with the axes. Some participants question the interpretation of the first octant and the bounds of the surface integral.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations of the problem being explored. Some participants have offered guidance on parameterization and the setup of the integral, while others have raised concerns about the clarity of the problem statement and the assumptions being made.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted ambiguity regarding the orientation of the surface and the definition of the first octant in relation to the problem. Additionally, some participants express confusion about the bounds for the surface integral, indicating a need for further clarification.

Physgeek64
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Homework Statement


Evaluate integral A.n dS for A=(y,2x,-z) and S is the surface of the plane 2x+y=6 in the first octant of the plane cut off by z=4

Homework Equations


Integral A.n dS

The Attempt at a Solution


The normal to the plane is (2,1,0) so the unit normal vector is 1/sqrt3 (2,1,0).
A.n= 1/sqrt3(2y,2x,0)

So this is where I get stuck. I think it goes as follows...

ds= dxdy

=> double integral 2/sqrt3 y + 2/sqrt3 x dxdy

And I'm not sure how to find the limits...
 
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The plane is in the first octant so bounded by x= y= z= 0. Since there is no "z" in the equation of the plane, the plane is parallel to the z- axis so we need another z bound: we are told that the plane is bounded by z= 4. The line 2x+ y= 6 crosses the x-axis at (0, 6) and the y-axis at (3, 0). We can take x going from 0 to 3 and, for each x, y from 0 to 6- 2x. Equivalently, we can take y going from 0 to 6 and, for each y, x= (6- y)/2. In either case, z goes from 0 to 4.
 
HallsofIvy said:
The plane is in the first octant so bounded by x= y= z= 0. Since there is no "z" in the equation of the plane, the plane is parallel to the z- axis so we need another z bound: we are told that the plane is bounded by z= 4. The line 2x+ y= 6 crosses the x-axis at (0, 6) and the y-axis at (3, 0). We can take x going from 0 to 3 and, for each x, y from 0 to 6- 2x. Equivalently, we can take y going from 0 to 6 and, for each y, x= (6- y)/2. In either case, z goes from 0 to 4.
Would there not only be two bounds as its a surface integral? Forgive me if I'm being thick...
 
Yes, the bounds on x and y. I didn't say you had to use the z bounds!
 
I would add that the problem is incompletely stated without the orientation of the surface being given.
 
Upon looking more closely at this problem and proposed solution -- you cannot paramaterize this surface in terms of the variables ##x## and ##y## because they are dependent on each other. I would suggest the parameterization ##x = x,~y=6-2x,~z = z##. So the surface is parameterized as ##\vec R(x,z) = \langle x, 6-2x, z\rangle## and use the formula$$
\iint_S \vec A\cdot d\vec S = \pm\int\int \vec A \cdot \vec R_x\times \vec R_z~dxdz$$where the limits are over the ##xz## rectangle and the sign is chosen for the correct orientation (which needs to be specified).
 
pardon me. i faced a similar prblm . could any1 pls xplain what is first octant??
 
The "first octant" is the octant in an xyz- coordinate system in which all coordinates are positive.
Physgeek64 said:

Homework Statement


Evaluate integral A.n dS for A=(y,2x,-z) and S is the surface of the plane 2x+y=6 in the first octant of the plane cut off by z=4
The "first octant of the plane" doesn't make sense. A plane has four quadrants not octants. I presume that you mean the portion in the first octant of the xyz coordinate, x> 0, y> 0, 2x+ y< 6 and 0< z< 4.

Homework Equations


Integral A.n dS

The Attempt at a Solution


The normal to the plane is (2,1,0) so the unit normal vector is 1/sqrt3 (2,1,0).[/quote]
No, the unit normal is 1/sqrt(5)(2, 1, 0).

A.n= 1/sqrt3(2y,2x,0)

So this is where I get stuck. I think it goes as follows...

ds= dxdy

=> double integral 2/sqrt3 y + 2/sqrt3 x dxdy
Since dS includes the factor sqrt(5) (not sqrt(3)) itself, there is really no point in using "n" at all. I would write, rather, \vec{A}\cdot \vec{dS} where \vec{dS}= (2, 1, 0)dxdy so that the integral will be \int_{x= 0}^3 \int_{y= 0}^{6- 2x} 2y+ 2x dydx

And I'm not sure how to find the limits...
In the x,y plane, the line 2x+ y= 6 crosses the x-axis at (3, 0) and crosses the y-axis at (0, 6). The gives a triangle with vertices at (0, 0), (3, 0), and (0, 6) in the first quadrant of the xy- plane. You can take x going from 0 to 3 and, for each x, y from 0 to 6- 2x.
 
Ekramul Towsif said:
pardon me. i faced a similar prblm . could any1 pls xplain what is first octant??
thnx
 
  • #10
Physgeek64 said:

Homework Statement


Evaluate integral A.n dS for A=(y,2x,-z) and S is the surface of the plane 2x+y=6 in the first octant of the plane cut off by z=4

Homework Equations


Integral A.n dS

The Attempt at a Solution


The normal to the plane is (2,1,0) so the unit normal vector is 1/sqrt3 (2,1,0).
A.n= 1/sqrt3(2y,2x,0)

So this is where I get stuck. I think it goes as follows...

ds= dxdy

=> double integral 2/sqrt3 y + 2/sqrt3 x dxdy

And I'm not sure how to find the limits...

In your expression ##\vec{A} \cdot \vec{n} \, dS##, ##dS## is the surface area-element in the plane ##2x+y=6##. Thus ##dS = ds \, dz,## where is ##ds = \sqrt{(dx)^2 + (dy)^2}## is the length-element along the surface perpendicular to the ##z##-axis.
 
  • #11
HallsofIvy said:
The "first octant" is the octant in an xyz- coordinate system in which all coordinates are positive.

The "first octant of the plane" doesn't make sense. A plane has four quadrants not octants. I presume that you mean the portion in the first octant of the xyz coordinate, x> 0, y> 0, 2x+ y< 6 and 0< z< 4.

Homework Equations


Integral A.n dS

The Attempt at a Solution


The normal to the plane is (2,1,0) so the unit normal vector is 1/sqrt3 (2,1,0).
No, the unit normal is 1/sqrt(5)(2, 1, 0). Since dS includes the factor sqrt(5) (not sqrt(3)) itself, there is really no point in using "n" at all. I would write, rather, \vec{A}\cdot \vec{dS} where \vec{dS}= (2, 1, 0)dxdy so that the integral will be \int_{x= 0}^3 \int_{y= 0}^{6- 2x} 2y+ 2x dydx

This is not correct. As I explained in post #6, this cannot be worked as an xy domain problem.
 

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