Test of Divergence Theorem in Cyl. Coord's.

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the divergence of a vector function and using the divergence theorem in cylindrical coordinates. The solution involves finding the divergence of the vector function, setting up an integral over a given volume, and calculating the surface integral over a closed surface. There is a minor mistake in the integral over the third open surface, but after correcting it, the two sides of the divergence theorem are found to be equal.
  • #1
Living_Dog
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Ok I am stuck yet again. Below is a synopsis of everything I have done.

D. J. Griffiths, 3rd ed., Intro. to Electrodynamics, pg. 45, Problem #1.42(a) and (b):

(a) Find the divergence of the vector function:

[tex]\vec{v} = s(2 + sin^2\phi)\hat{s} + s \cdot sin\phi \cdot cos\phi \hat{\phi} + 3\cdot z\hat{z}[/tex]

So,

[tex]\nabla\circ\vec{v} = \frac{1}{s}\partial_s(s \cdot v_s) + \frac{1}{s}\partial_\phi(v_\phi) + \partial_z(v_z)[/tex]

[tex]v_s = s(2 + sin^2\phi)[/tex]
[tex]v_\phi = s \cdot sin\phi \cdot cos\phi [/tex]
[tex]v_z = 3z[/tex]

Therefore,

[tex]\nabla\circ\vec{v} = 2(2 + sin^2\phi) + (cos^2\phi - sin^2\phi) + 3[/tex]
[tex]. . . = 4 + 2 \cdot sin^2\phi + cos^2\phi - sin^2\phi + 3[/tex]
[tex]. . . = 7 + sin^2\phi + cos^2\phi [/tex]
[tex]. . . = 7 + 1 [/tex]
[tex]. . . = 8 [/tex].

Now place this in the integral over the given volume - a quarter-cylinder in the 1st quadrant between: [tex]0 \le s \le 2, 0 \le \phi \le \frac{\pi}{2}, and 0 \le z \le 5 [/tex].

[tex]\int_V (\nabla \circ \vec{v}) d\tau = 8 \cdot \int_0^2 s ds \cdot \int_0^\frac{\pi}{2} d\phi \cdot \int_0^5 dz = 40 \pi[/tex]

Now for the surface integral over the closed surface. This integral is easy but more involved since there are 5 surfaces over which to chose from. Also, each surface has its own [tex]d\vec{a}[/tex] to integrate over.

For the 5 surfaces I used:
  • 1: [tex] \phi = 0 [/tex]
  • 2: [tex] \phi = \frac{\pi}{2} [/tex]
  • 3: z = 5
  • 4: z = 0
  • 5: the cylindrical wall

[tex]\oint_S \vec{v} \circ d\vec{a} = \sum_{i=1}^5 \int_{S_{i}} [/tex]

SURFACE 1:

[tex]\int_{S_{1}} = [s(...) \hat{s} + (3z) \hat{z}] \circ [- ds dz \hat{\phi}] = 0[/tex].

The reason is that this surface is for [tex] \phi = 0 [/tex] and [tex]sin \phi[/tex] is zero. Thus the [tex] \hat{\phi} [/tex] term drops out of [tex] \vec{v} [/tex] and so the dot product is zero. IOW, no integral needs to be done.

SURFACE 2:

[tex]\int_{S_{2}} = [s(...) \hat{s} + (3z) \hat{z}] \circ [+dsdz \hat{\phi}] = 0[/tex].

Same reasoning here as with surface 1 but with [tex]\phi = \frac{\pi}{2}[/tex].

SURFACE 3:

[tex]\int_{S_{3}} = [s(...) \hat{s} + (s...) \hat{\phi} + (3z) \hat{z}] \circ [+sdsd\phi \hat{z}] = \int_{z=5} 3z\cdot s ds d\phi[/tex]

[tex] ... = 3 \times 5 \cdot \int_0^2sds \int_0^\frac{\pi}{2}d\phi[/tex]

[tex] ... = 15 \cdot \frac{4}{2} \frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]

[tex] ... = 15\pi[/tex]

SURFACE 4:

[tex]\int_{S_{4}} = [s(...) \hat{s} + (s...) \hat{\phi} + (3z) \hat{z}] \circ [+sdsd\phi (-\hat{z})] = 0[/tex].

The reason is that this surface is for z = 0 and since only the [tex]\hat{z}[/tex] term survives the dot product, then the integral is 0. IOW, no integral needs to be done.

SURFACE 5:

[tex]\int_{S_{5}} = [s(2 + sin^2 \phi) \hat{s} + (s...) \hat{\phi} + (3z) \hat{z}] \circ [+s d\phi dz \hat{s}] = \int_{s=2} s^2(2 + sin^2\phi) d\phi dz[/tex]

[tex] ... = 4 \cdot ( \int_0^\frac{\pi}{2} 2 d\phi + \int_0^\frac{\pi}{2} sin^2\phi d\phi ) \cdot \int_0^5dz[/tex]

[tex] ... = 4 \cdot ( \pi + \pi ) \cdot 5 [/tex]

[tex] ... = 4 \cdot 2\pi \cdot 5 [/tex]

[tex] ... = 40\pi[/tex]

Therefore, after summing all of the open surface integrals to obtain the final closed surface integral, the answer is [tex]55\pi[/tex]. This of course does not equal the [tex]40\pi[/tex] for the volume integral found above. (NOTE: I suspect the integral over the 3rd open surface is wrong, but having gone over both sides of the divergence theorem I suspect the error I made can be anywhere in the entire process.

Well, that's it. I hope someone can point out yet another minor mistake which throws the whole works into disarray.

-LD
 
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  • #2
Div. Thm. in Cyl Coord

SOLUTION: from another forum site: the in integral is not [tex]\pi[/tex] it's [tex]\frac{\pi}{4}[/tex] yielding the 5th integral to be [tex]25\pi[/tex]. So the sum is [tex]40\pi[/tex] making the two sides equal. Thanks to all 48 who looked! :)

-LD
_________________________
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/jbc33/
 
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1. What is the Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates?

The Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates is a mathematical formula used to relate the flux of a vector field through a closed surface to the behavior of the vector field inside the surface. It states that the flux through a closed surface is equal to the triple integral of the divergence of the vector field over the volume enclosed by the surface.

2. How is the Divergence Theorem applied in Cylindrical Coordinates?

The Divergence Theorem is applied in Cylindrical Coordinates by first converting the vector field and the surface into cylindrical coordinates. Then, the components of the vector field are expressed in terms of the cylindrical coordinate system and the surface is divided into small elements. The flux through each element is calculated and added together to find the total flux through the surface.

3. What is the purpose of the Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates?

The purpose of the Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates is to provide a relationship between the behavior of a vector field inside a closed surface and the flux through that surface. It is a useful tool for calculating flux in three-dimensional problems involving cylindrical coordinates.

4. What are some real-world applications of the Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates?

The Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates has many real-world applications, including in fluid dynamics, electromagnetics, and heat transfer. For example, it can be used to calculate the flow of a fluid through a pipe or the electric field around a cylindrical conductor.

5. Are there any limitations to the use of the Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates?

One limitation of the Divergence Theorem in Cylindrical Coordinates is that it can only be applied to vector fields that are continuous and have a continuous first partial derivative. It also assumes that the surface is closed and smooth, and that the vector field is defined everywhere inside the surface.

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