Section 17.

7: Stokes’ Theorem

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Recall Green’s Theorem: Letting F = ⟨f, g⟩, under the proper conditions on F and C, F · dr =
C

Stokes’ Theorem: Let S be an oriented surface in R3 with a piecewise-smooth closed boundary curve C, oriented consistent
with S. If F(x, y, z) = ⟨f, g, h⟩ is a vector field for which f , g, and h have continuous partial derivatives on S, then
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.7: Stokes’ Theorem

1. Let C be the curve of intersection of the cylinder x2 + y 2 = 1 and the plane y + z = 2, oriented clockwise. Use Stokes’
Theorem to compute the circulation of F = ⟨−y 2 , x, z 2 ⟩ around C.
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.7: Stokes’ Theorem
ZZ
2. Use Stokes’ Theorem to compute (∇ × F) · dS, where S is the part of the cone z 2 = x2 + y 2 between z = 0 and z = −3
S
oriented outward and F(x, y, z) = ⟨y, −xz, −y 2 ⟩.
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.7: Stokes’ Theorem

Consequences of Stokes’ Theorem:

• IfZSZ1 and S2 are two surfaces

Z Z with the same boundary and consistent orientation, then
(∇ × F) · dS and (∇ × F) · dS
S1 S2

• If curl F = ⃗0 throughout an open, simply connected region D ⊆ R3 , then for any piecewise smooth simple closed curve
C,
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F · dr =
C
MATH 233 Fall 2020 17.7: Stokes’ Theorem

To prove Stokes’ Theorem in the case where S is given by z = s(x, y) with (x, y) ∈ R ⊆ R2 and oriented upwards, first note
dz =

I
So F · dr =
C

(Learning Catalytics)
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3. Apply Green’s Theorem to write dx + dy as a double integral over R.
C′

ZZ
4. Write (∇ × F) · dS as a double integral over R.
S