What is the Flux through the surface?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the surface flux integral of the vector field F = 2xy x̂ + (xz - 5xy²) ẑ over a specified surface, with the normal vector n defined as k. Participants clarify that the flux integral is computed using the formula Flux = ∫(Electric Field · dA). The integral setup involves evaluating ∫₀ᵃ∫₀ᵃ (2xy x̂ + (xz - 5xy²) ẑ) · k dx dy, emphasizing the need to understand the dot product with the normal vector.

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uchicago2012
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Homework Statement


Calculate the surface flux integral of F = 2xy xhat + (xz - 5xy2)zhat over the surface shown in the figure. Take n = k.
See Figure

Homework Equations


Flux = Integral (Electric Field * dA)

The Attempt at a Solution


So from the figure the total area is obviously a2. The problem says the "surface flux integral" so I assumed they want the flux? For which you need to integrate what? Just integrating what they gave me seems wrong. I'm a bit confused about what was given and what is wanted. And I have no idea what n = k means, unless they mean the normal vector can be considered the z axis, which would make sense. But I'm still at a loss of what exactly I'm integrating.
 

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uchicago2012 said:

Homework Statement


Calculate the surface flux integral of F = 2xy xhat + (xz - 5xy2)zhat over the surface shown in the figure. Take n = k.
See Figure

Homework Equations


Flux = Integral (Electric Field * dA)

The Attempt at a Solution


So from the figure the total area is obviously a2. The problem says the "surface flux integral" so I assumed they want the flux? For which you need to integrate what? Just integrating what they gave me seems wrong. I'm a bit confused about what was given and what is wanted. And I have no idea what n = k means, unless they mean the normal vector can be considered the z axis, which would make sense. Yes, that's what is meant! But I'm still at a loss of what exactly I'm integrating.
\vec{F}=2xy\,\hat{x}+(xz - 5xy^2)\hat{z} Here is another unit vector in the z direction.

\int_{S}\vec{F}\cdot d\vec{A}=\int_0^a\int_0^a\ \left(2xy\,\hat{x}+(xz - 5xy^2)\hat{z}\right)\cdot\hat{z}\,dx\,dy
 

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