Section 17.

3: Conservative Vector Fields

Definition: A vector field is conservative on a region R ⊆ Rn if

MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.3: Conservative Vector Fields

Definitions: A curve is simple if

A curve is closed if

A region is connected if

A region is simply connected if

MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.3: Conservative Vector Fields

If F is conservative and the component functions have continuous partial derivatives, then by Clairaut’s Theorem, we know

Theorem: (Test for Conservative Vector Fields) Let F = ⟨f, g, h⟩ be a vector field defined on a connected and simply connected
region D ⊆ R3 , with f , g, and h having continuous partial derivatives. Then F is conservative if and only if
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.3: Conservative Vector Fields

1. Determine whether F(x, y) = ⟨1 + 4x3 y 3 , 3x4 y 2 − y⟩ is conservative. If so, find a potential function for F.

2. Show F(x, y, z) = ⟨2x + y 2 z 3 , 1 + 2xyz 3 , 3xy 2 z 2 − ez ⟩ is conservative and find a potential function for F.
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.3: Conservative Vector Fields

Theorem: (Fundamental Theorem of Line Integrals) Let R ⊆ Rn and let φ be a differentiable potential function for F
defined on R (i.e., F = ∇φ on R). Then for any piecewise smooth curve C in R,
Z Z
F · T ds = F · dr =
C C

Proof:
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.3: Conservative Vector Fields

3. Find the work done by F(x, y, z) = ⟨2x + y 2 z 3 , 1 + 2xyz 3 , 3xy 2 z 2 − ez ⟩ in moving an object along the helix C given by
r(t) = ⟨2 cos(πt), 2 sin(πt), t2 ⟩, 0 ≤ t ≤ 3.

Definition: Let F be a continuous vector field on R. F has line integrals that are independent of path if

Theorem: Let F be a continuous vector field on an open connected region R. F has line integrals that are independent of
path if and only if
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.3: Conservative Vector Fields
Z
1
4. Evaluate ⟨ye2x , e2x ⟩ · dr where C is given by r(t) = (t2 + sin(πt))i + cos(πt)j, 0 ≤ t ≤ 2.
C 2
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.3: Conservative Vector Fields
Z
1 x2 y 2
5. Evaluate ⟨ye2x , e2x ⟩ · dr where C is the ellipse + = 1 traced one time clockwise, starting at (0, 2).
C 2 9 4

Theorem: Let R be an open connected region. Then F is conservative on R if and only if for all simple closed piecewise-
smooth oriented curves C in R,
I
F · dr =
C

Z  
y −x
6. Learning Catalytics Estimate the value of F · dr where F (x, y) = , 2 and C is one counterclockwise
C x + y x + y2
2 2

trip around the circle x2 + y 2 = 4. Is F conservative?

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