What is the Flux of a Vector Field Over a Box and How Does Divergence Affect It?

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The discussion focuses on calculating the flux of a vector field over a box defined by specific limits for x, y, and z. The initial approach involved setting up six flux integrals, but the results indicated a total flux of zero due to cancellation when integrating opposite sides of the box. The divergence theorem was also applied, revealing discrepancies between the flux calculations and divergence values. Participants emphasized the importance of substituting the correct x-values when evaluating integrals at different sides of the box. Ultimately, the final answer should be expressed solely in terms of the variable a.
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find the flux of the vector
\vec{A} = \frac{6ka^2y}{\sqrt{x^2+y^2+a^2}} \hat{e_x}
\frac{3ka^2z}{\sqrt{y^2+z^2+4a^2}}\hat{e_y}

\frac{2ka^2x}{\sqrt{x^2+z^2+9a^2}}\hat{e_z}

a) intergrating over the surface of the box, of
0 <= x <= 2a
0 <= y <= 3a
0 <= z <= a
b) divergence thrm over the volume of the box


a)...I setup 6 flux intergrals and sum them for the total flux is the first step..
each of these intergrals is setup like (going directly to the dot product result)...
\oint \vec{A} \bullet d\vec{a}

\int_0^a \int_0^{3a} A_x dydz however when i setup the opposite side of the box...
\int_0^a \int_0^{3a} -A_x dy dz because of the d\vec{a} = dydz(-\vec{\hat{e_x}})

which means they just cancel which i do for all of them...and get 0 flux which is not what it should be nothing loops back on itself, and the divergence gives me something totally diffrent so what's up?
 
Last edited:
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The function has a different value at opposite sides of the box.
 
soooo..? \int_0^a \int_0^{3a} A_x dydz
6ka^3\int_0^{3a} \frac{y}{\sqrt{x^2+y^2+a^2}} dy
6ka^3(\sqrt{10a^2+x^2}-\sqrt{a^2+x^2})


\int_0^a \int_0^{3a} -A_x dydz
-\int_0^a \int_0^{3a} A_x dydz how is this not opposite what I just did?

do i have to setup the first intergral like...
x=2a at this side of the surface
6ka^3\int_0^{3a} \frac{y}{\sqrt{(2a)^2+y^2+a^2}} dy
 
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You're at two different values of x. The final answer should only be in terms of a.
 
check my edit is that what u mean?
 
yes, when your integrating at x=2a, you need to plug in 2a for x.
 
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