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Line Integrals of Vector Fields

Line Integrals of Vector Fields

Suppose that F = P i + Qj + Rk is a continuous force field on R3 . We


wish to compute the work done by this force in moving a particle along a
smooth curve C. We define the work W done by the force field F
Z Z
W = F(x, y, z) · T(x, y, z)ds = F · Tds (1)
C C

where T(x, y, z) is the unit tangent vector at the point (x, y, z) on C.


Equation (1) says that work is the line integral with respect to arc length
of the tangential component of the force.

MATH 170 Calculus II 1 / 48


Line Integrals of Vector Fields

If the curve C is given by the vector equation r(t) = x(t)i + y(t)j + z(t)k,
then T(t) = r′ (t)/|r′ (t)|, so using the Equation (??) we can rewrite
Equation (1) in the form

Zb 
r′ (t)

W = F(r(t)) · ′ |r′ (t)|dt
|r (t)|
a
Zb
= F(r(t)) · r′ (t)dt
a
R
This integral is often abbreviated as C F · dr and occurs in other areas of
physics as well. Therefore, we make the following definition for the line
integral of any continuous vector field.

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Line Integrals of Vector Fields

Definition 1
Let F be a continuous vector field defined on a smooth curve C given by a
vector function r(t), a ⩽ t ⩽ b. Then the line integral of F along C is
Z Z Z

F · dr = F(r(t)) · r (t)dt = F · Tds
C C C

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Line Integrals of Vector Fields

Example 2
R
Evaluate C F · dr, where F(x, y, z) = xyi + yzj + zxk and C is the
twisted cubic given by

x=t y = t2 z = t3 0⩽t⩽1

MATH 170 Calculus II 4 / 48


Line Integrals of Vector Fields

Solution.
We have

r(t) = ti + t2 j + t3 k
r′ (t) = 1i + 2tj + 3t2 k
F(r(t)) = t3 i + t5 j + t4 k

Thus
Z Z1
F · dr = F(r(t)) · r′ (t)dt
C
0
Z1 1
3 6 t4 5t7 27
= (t + 5t )dt = + =
4 7 0 28
0

MATH 170 Calculus II 5 / 48


Line Integrals of Vector Fields

Finally, we note the connection between line integrals of vector fields and
line integrals of scalar fields. Suppose the vector field F on R3 is given in
component form by the equation F = P i + Qj + Rk. Hence,
Z Zb
F · dr = F(r(t)) · r′ (t)dt
C
a
Zb
= (P i + Qj + Rk) · (x′ (t)i + y ′ (t)j + z ′ (t)k)dt
a
Zb
= [P (x(t), y(t), z(t))x′ (t)
a
+ Q(x(t), y(t), z(t))y ′ (t) + R(x(t), y(t), z(t))z ′ (t)]dt
But this last integral is precisely the line integral in (??). Therefore, we
have
Z Z
F · dr = P dx + Qdy + Rdz where F = P i + Qj + Rk
C C
MATH 170 Calculus II 6 / 48
The Fundamental Theorem for Line Integrals

The Fundamental Theorem for Line Integrals


Recall that the fundamental theorem of calculus can be written as
Zb
F ′ (x)dx = F (b) − F (a) (2)
a

where F ′ is continuous on [a, b]. The following theorem can be regarded


as a version of the Fundamental Theorem for line integrals.
Theorem 3
Let C be a smooth curve given by the vector function r(t), a ⩽ t ⩽ b. Let
f be a differentiable function of two or three variables whose gradient
vector ∇f is continuous on C. Then
Z
∇f · dr = f (r(b)) − f (r(a))
C

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The Fundamental Theorem for Line Integrals

Note
Theorem says that we can evaluate the line integral of a conservative
vector field (the gradient vector field of the potential function f ) simply by
knowing the value of f at the endpoints of C. In fact, Theorem says that
the line integral of ∇f is the total change in f . If f is a function of two
variables and C is a plane curve with initial point A(x1 , y1 ) and terminal
point B(x2 , y2 ), then Theorem becomes
Z
∇f · dr = f (x2 , y2 ) − f (x1 , y1 )
C

If f is a function of three variables and C is a space curve joining the


point A(x1 , y1 , z1 ) to the point B(x2 , y2 , z2 ), then we have
Z
∇f · dr = f (x2 , y2 , z2 ) − f (x1 , y1 , z1 )
C

MATH 170 Calculus II 8 / 48


The Fundamental Theorem for Line Integrals

y ∇f ⴢ dr 苷 f 共x 2 , y2 , z2 兲  f 共x 1, y1, z1 兲
C

Let’s prove Theorem 2 for this case.

y z

A(x¡, y¡) B(x™, y™) C


A(x¡, y¡, z¡)
B(x™, y™, z™)
0 C x 0

y
x

MATH 170 Calculus II 9 / 48


Independence of Path

Independence of Path
Suppose C1 and C2 are two piecewise-smooth curves (which are called
paths) that haveR the same initial
R point A and terminal point B. We know
that in general, C1 F · dr ̸= C2 F · dr. But one implication of
fundamental Theorem is that
Z Z
∇f · dr = ∇f · dr
C1 C2

whenever ∇f is continuous. In other words, the line integral of a


conservative vector field depends only on the initial point and terminal
point of a curve.
In general, if F isR a continuous vector field with domain
R D, we say
R that
the line integral C F · dr is independent of path if C1 F · dr = C2 F · dr
for any two paths C1 and C2 in D that have the same initial and terminal
points. With this terminology we can say that line integrals of conservative
vector fields are independent of path.
MATH 170 Calculus II 10 / 48
Independence of Path

A curve is called closed if its■terminal


938 CHAPTER point coincides
13 VECTOR with its initial point,
CALCULUS
that is, r(a) = r(b).
C1 and C2 in D that have
we can say that line inte
A curve is called close
r共b兲 苷 r共a兲. (See Figure
closed path in D, we can
composed of the path C1
C ure 3.) Then
FIGURE 2 y F ⴢ dr 苷 y
C C1
A closed curve
C™ since C1 and C2 have th
B Conversely, if it is tru
we demonstrate independ
A to B in D and define C
MATH 170 A Calculus II 11 / 48
Independence of Path

Theorem 4
R R
F · dr is independent of path in D if and only if
C C F · dr = 0 for every
closed path C in D.

The physical interpretation is that the work done by a conservative force


field as it moves an object around a closed path is 0.

MATH 170 Calculus II 12 / 48


Independence of Path

Theorem 5
Suppose
R F is a vector field that is continuous on an open connected region
D. If C F · dr is independent of path in D, then F is a conservative
vector field on D; that is, there exists a function f such that ∇f = F

The theorem says that the only vector fields that are independent of path
are conservative. We assume that D is open, which means that for every
point P in D there is a disk with center P that lies entirely in D. In
addition, we assume that D is connected. This means that any two
points in D can be joined by a path that lies in D.

MATH 170 Calculus II 13 / 48


Independence of Path

Theorem 6
If F(x, y) = P (x, y)i + Q(x, y)j is a conservative field, where P and Q
have continuous first-order partial derivatives on a domain D, then
throughout D we have
∂P ∂Q
=
∂y ∂x

MATH 170 Calculus II 14 / 48


Independence of Path

Theorem 7
Let F = P i + Qj be a vector field on an open simply-connected region D.
Suppose that P and Q have continuous first-order derivatives and
∂P ∂Q
= throughout D
∂y ∂x
Then F is conservative.
A simply-connected region in the plane is a connected region D such
that every simple closed curve in D encloses only point that are in D.
Intuitively speaking, a simply-connected region contains no hole and can’t
consist of two separate pieces.

MATH 170 Calculus II 15 / 48


940
Independence of Path ■ CHAPTER 13 VECTOR CALCULUS

D such tha
940 ■ CHAPTER 13 VECTOR CALCULUS from Figu
and can’t
D such that every simple
simply-connected region from Figure 7 In term
that, intui
Figure 1: simply-connected region
and can’t rem
consist5of tha
two
In terms of simply-co
simply-connected region
servative.
rem 5 that gives a conve
servative. Theorem.
The proof will
Theorem.

6 Theorem Let F 苷
regions that are not simply-connected
6 Theo
region D. Suppose tha
regions
Figure that are
2: regions thatnot
aresimply-connected
not simply-connected region
FIGURE 7

FIGURE 7
MATH 170 Calculus II Then F is conservativ
16 / 48
Independence of Path

Example 8
Determine whether or not the vector field

F(x, y) = (x − y)i + (x − 2)j

is conservative.

Solution.
Let P (x, y) = x − y and Q(x, y) = x − 2. Then

∂P ∂Q
= −1 =1
∂y ∂x

Since ∂P/∂y ̸= ∂Q/∂x, F is not conservative.

MATH 170 Calculus II 17 / 48


Independence of Path

Example 9
Determine whether or not the vector field

F(x, y) = (3 + 2xy)i + (x2 − 3y 2 )j

is conservative.

Solution.
Let P (x, y) = 3 + 2xy and Q(x, y) = x2 − 3y 2 . Then

∂P ∂Q
= 2x =
∂y ∂x
Also, the domain of F is the entire plane, which is open and
simply-connected. Therefore, F is conservative.

MATH 170 Calculus II 18 / 48


Independence of Path

Example 10
a) If F(x, y) = (3 + 2xy)i + (x2 − 3y 2 )j, find a function f such that
F = ∇f .
R
b) Evaluate the line integral C F · dr, where C is the curve given by
r(t) = et sin ti + et cos tj, 0 ⩽ t ⩽ π.

MATH 170 Calculus II 19 / 48


Independence of Path

Solution.
a) From previous example we know that F is conservative and so there
exist a function f with ∇f = F, that is,

fx (x, y) = 3 + 2xy (3)

fy (x, y) = x2 − 3y 2 (4)
Integrating (3) with respect to x, we obtain

f (x, y) = 3x + x2 y + g(y) (5)

Notice that the constant of integration is a constant with respect to


x, that is, a function of y, which we have called g(y). Next we
differentiate both sides of (5) with respect to y:

fy (x, y) = x2 + g ′ (y) (6)

MATH 170 Calculus II 20 / 48


Independence of Path

Solution(cont.)
Comparing (4) and (6), we see that

g ′ (y) = −3y 2

Integrating with respect to y, we have

g(y) = −y 3 + K

where K is a constant. Putting this in (5), we have

f (x, y) = 3x + x2 y − y 3 + K

as the desired potential function.

MATH 170 Calculus II 21 / 48


Independence of Path

Solution(cont.)
b) We have to know the initial and terminal points of C, namely,
r(0) = (0, 1) and r(π) = (0, −eπ ). In the expression for f (x, y) in
part (a), any value of the constant K will do, so let’s choose K = 0.
Then we have
Z Z
F · dr = ∇f · dr = f (0, −eπ ) − f (0, 1)
C C
= e3π − (−1) = e3π + 1

MATH 170 Calculus II 22 / 48


Independence of Path

Example 11
If F(x, y, z) = y 2 i + (2xy + e3z )j + 3ye3z k, find a function f such that
∇f = F

Solution.
If there is such a function f , then

fx (x, y, z) = y 2 (7)
3z
fy (x, y, z) = 2xy + e (8)
3z
fz (x, y, z) = 3ye (9)

Integrating (7) with respect to x, we get

f (x, y, z)xy 2 + g(y, z) (10)

where g(y, z) is a constant with respect to x.

MATH 170 Calculus II 23 / 48


Independence of Path

Solution(cont.)
Then differentiating (10) with respect to y, we have

fy (x, y, z) = 2xy + gy (y, z)

and comparing with (8) gives

gy (y, z) = e3z

Thus, g(y, z) = ye3z + h(z) and rewrite (10) as

f (x, y, z) = xy 2 + ye3z + h(z)

Finally differentiating with respect to z and comparing with (9), we obtain


h′ (z) = 0 and therefore, h(z) = K, a constant. The desired function is

f (x, y, z) = xy 2 + ye3z + K

It is easily verified that ∇f = F


MATH 170 Calculus II 24 / 48
Green’s Theorem

Green’s Theorem

Green’s Theorem gives relation between a line integral around a simple


closed curve and a double integral over the region bounded by the simple
closed curve.

MATH 170 Calculus II 25 / 48


Green’s
Green’s Theorem
Theorem we use the convention that the positive orientation of a simple
closed curve C refers to a single counterclockwise traversal of C. Thus, if C is given
by the vector function r共t兲, a t b, then the region D is always on the left as the
x point r共t兲 traverses C. (See Figure 2.)

y y
C

D D

C
0 x 0 x

FIGURE 2 (a) Positive orientation (b) Negative orientation

Positive orientation
Green’s TheoremofLeta Csimple closedoriented,
be a positively curvepiecewise-smooth,
is counterclockwise
simple traversal
of C. Thusclosed
if Ccurve in the plane
is given and let
by the D be thefunction
vector region bounded
r(t)bythen
C. If P andregion
the Q D is
have continuous partial derivatives on an open region that contains D, then
always on the left as the point r(t) traverses C. Notation ∂D is used for
the boundary curve of D. y P dx  Q dy 苷
C
Q

yy
D
P
冉 dA
x y

NOTE ● The notation

MATH 170 y
䊊 P dx  Q dy Calculus
or II g P dx  Q dy 26 / 48
Green’s Theorem

Theorem 12 (Green’s Theorem)


Let C be a positively oriented, piecewise smooth, simple closed curve in
the plane and D be the region bounded by C. If P and Q have continuous
partial derivatives on an open region that contains D, then
Z ZZ
∂Q ∂P
P dx + Qdy = ( − )dA
C D ∂x ∂y

MATH 170 Calculus II 27 / 48


Green’s Theorem b
苷 y P共x, t1共x兲兲 d
a

Example 13 Comparing this expression with th


Evaluate C x4 dx + xydy where C is the triangular curve consisting of the
R

line segments from (0, 0) to (1, 0), from (1, 0) to (0, 1) and (0, 1) to (0, 0). yC P共x
Equation 3 can be proved in much
Solution. (see Exercise 28). Then, by adding
Evaluation of the given line integral requires three separate integrals.
EXAMPLE 1 Evaluate xC x 4 dx  xy
Instead we use Green’s Theorem. the line segments from 共0, 0兲 to 共1
y SOLUTION Although the given line in
y=1-x
of Section 13.2, that would involve
(0, 1)
sides of the triangle, so let’s use G
enclosed by C is simple and C has
C
P共x, y兲 苷 x 4 and Q共x, y兲 苷 xy, the


D

(0, 0) (1, 0) x y x 4 dx  xy dy 苷 yy
C
D
FIGURE 4 1
[ 12 苷y
Noticed that the region D is enclosed by the simple curve C and C has 0

positive orientation. 苷  16 共1

MATH 170 Calculus II


EXAMPLE 2 Evaluate x䊊C 共3y 28
 /e48
sin x
Green’s Theorem

Solution Cont.
If we take P (x, y) = x4 and Q(x, y) = xy, then
Z ZZ
4 ∂Q ∂P
x dx + xydy = ( − )dA
C D ∂x ∂y
Z 1 Z 1−x
1
= (y − 0)dydx = .
0 0 6

MATH 170 Calculus II 29 / 48


Green’s Theorem

Example 14
p
Evaluate the line integral C (3y − esinx )dx + (7x + y 4 + 1)dy where C
R

is the circle x2 + y 2 = 9 oriented counterclockwise.

Solution.
The region bounded by C is the disk x2 + y 2 ≤ 9. If we apply Green’s
∂Q ∂P
theorem, where = 7 and = 3, by using polar coordinates
∂x ∂y
Z p ZZ
sinx 4
(3y − e )dx + (7x + y + 1)dy = (7 − 3)dA
C D

Z 2π Z 3
= 4rdrdθ = 36π
0 0

MATH 170 Calculus II 30 / 48


Green’s Theorem

An application of the reverse direction of Green’s Theorem is in computing


RR ∂Q ∂P
areas. Since the area is D 1dA, we wish to choose − = 1.
∂x ∂y
There are many possibilities for P and Q:
1
P (x, y) = 0 P (x, y) = −y P (x, y) = − y
2
1
Q(x, y) = x Q(x, y) = 0 Q(x, y) = x
2

MATH 170 Calculus II 31 / 48


Green’s Theorem

The Green’s Theorem


Z ZZ
∂Q ∂P
P dx + Qdy = ( − )dA
C D ∂x ∂y
gives the following formulas for the area of D
Z Z Z
1
A= xdy = ydx = xdy − ydx
C C 2 C
.

MATH 170 Calculus II 32 / 48


Green’s Theorem

Example 15
x2 y 2
Find the area enclosed by the ellipse + 2 = 1.
a2 b

Solution.
The ellipse has parametric equation x = acost, y = bsint, where
0 ≤ t ≤ 2π. Using the third formula above
Z
1
A= xdy − ydx
2 C

1 2π
Z
= (acost)(bcost)dt − (bsint)(−asint)dt
2 0
ab 2π
Z
= dt = πab
2 0
.

MATH 170 Calculus II 33 / 48


Green’s Theorem C If we add these two equa

Example 16 yC1傼C

Evaluate C y 2 dx + 3xydy where C is the boundary of which


R
the semiannular
is Green’s Theorem
region D in the upper half-plane between the circles x2 + The
y 2 =same
1 and
sort of argu
2 2
x + y = 4. union of simple regions (
FIGURE 6
Solution. EXAMPLE 4 Evaluate y2
x

C
region D in the upper hal
y SOLUTION Notice that altho
≈+¥=4 regions (see Figure 7). In

C D
D
Therefore, Green’s Theor

0 x
≈+¥=1 y y 2 dx  3xy d
C

FIGURE 7

MATH 170 Calculus II 34 / 48


Green’s Theorem

Solution (Cont.)
The region D in polar coordinates is described by
D = {(r, θ)|1 ≤ r ≤ 2, 0 ≤ θ ≤ π}. Hence, Green’s Theorem gives
Z ZZ
2 ∂ ∂ 2
y dx + 3xydy = ( (3xy) − (y ))dA
C D ∂x ∂y
ZZ Z πZ 2
= ydA = (rsinθ)rdrdθ
D 0 1
Z π Z 2
14
= sinθdθ r2 dr =
0 1 3

MATH 170 Calculus II 35 / 48


Curl

We define two operations on vector fields, curl produces a vector field and
divergence produces a scalar field.
Definition 17
If F = P i + Qj + Rk is a vector field on R3 and the partial derivatives of
P, Q and R all exist, then the curl of F is the vector field on R3 defined by
∂R ∂Q ∂P ∂R ∂Q ∂P
curl F = ( − )i + ( − )j + ( − )k
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y

The curl vector is associated with rotation. Let F represent the velocity
field in fluid flow. Particles near a point (x, y, z) tend to rotate about the
axis in the direction of curl F. The length of curl vector shows how quickly
the particles move around the axis. If curl F = 0 at a point P then it
means the particles do not rotate around an axis at P .

MATH 170 Calculus II 36 / 48


Curl

We introduce the vector differential operator ∇ as


∂ ∂ ∂
∇=i +j +k
∂x ∂y ∂z
When it operates on a scalar function it produces the gradient of f :

∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f
∇f = i +j +k = i+ j+ k
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x ∂y ∂z

MATH 170 Calculus II 37 / 48


Curl

If we think of ∇ as a vector with components ∂/∂x, ∂/∂y and ∂/∂z, we


can also consider the formal cross product of ∇ with the vector field F as
follows:

i j k
∂ ∂ ∂
∇×F =
∂x ∂y ∂z
P Q R

∂R ∂Q ∂P ∂R ∂Q ∂P
=( − )i + ( − )j + ( − )k
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y

= curl F

MATH 170 Calculus II 38 / 48


Curl

Example 18
If F(x, y, z) = xzi + xyzj − y 2 k, find curl F.

Solution.
i j k
∂ ∂ ∂
curl F = ∇ × F =
∂x ∂y ∂z
xz xyz −y 2

∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
=( (−y 2 ) − (xyz))i − ( (−y 2 ) − (xz))j + ( (xyz) − (xz))k
∂y ∂z ∂x ∂z ∂x ∂y

= (−2y − xy)i − (0 − x)j + (yz − 0)k

= −y(2 + x)i + xj + yzk.

MATH 170 Calculus II 39 / 48


Curl

Theorem 19
If f is a function of three variables that has continuous second partial
derivatives, then
curl(∇f ) = 0
.

Since a conservative vector field is the one for which F = ∇f . So above


theorem can be stated as:

If F is conservative then curlF = 0.

MATH 170 Calculus II 40 / 48


Curl

Example 20
Show that the vector field F(x, y, z) = xzi + xyzj − y 2 k is not
conservative.

Solution.
In example 7 we found curl(F) = −y(2 + x)i + xj + yzk. Since
curl(F) ̸= 0, F is not conservative.

MATH 170 Calculus II 41 / 48


Curl

The converse of Theorem 8 is not true in general, but the following


theorem says the converse is true if F is defined everywhere.
Theorem 21
If F is a vector field defined on all of R3 whose component functions have
continuous partial derivatives and curl F = 0, then F is a conservative
vector field.

MATH 170 Calculus II 42 / 48


Curl

Example 22
(a)Show that the vector field F(x, y, z) = y 2 z 3 i + 2xyz 3 j + 3xy 2 z 2 k is
conservative vector field. (b) Find a function f such that F = ∇f .

Solution.
(a) We compute the curl of F
i j k
∂ ∂ ∂
curlF = ∇ × F =
∂x ∂y ∂z
y 2 z 3 2xyz 3 3xy 2 z 2

= (6xyz 2 − 6xyz 2 )i − (3y 2 z 2 − 3y 2 z 2 )j + (2yz 3 − 2yz 3 )k = 0

Since curlF = 0 on R3 , F is a conservative vector field.

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Curl

Solution (Cont.)

(b) In order to find the potential function we solve the equations

fx (x, y, z) = y 2 z 3 (1)
fy (x, y, z) = 2xyz 3 (2)
fz (x, y, z) = 3xy 2 z 2 (3)

Integrating (1) with respect to x, we obtain

f (x, y, z) = xy 2 z 3 + g(y, z)

MATH 170 Calculus II 44 / 48


Curl

Solution (Cont.)

Differentiating f with respect to y, we get fy (x, y, z) = 2xyz 3 + gy (y, z),


so comparison with (2) gives gy (y, z) = 0. Thus g(y, z) = h(z) and

fz (x, y, z) = 3xy 2 z 2 + h′ (z).

Then (3) gives h′ (z) = 0. Therefore

f (x, y, z) = xy 2 z 3 + K
.

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Divergence

Definition 23
If F = P i + Qj + Rk is a vector field on R3 and ∂P/∂x, ∂Q/∂y and ∂R/∂z
exist, then divergence of F is the function of three variables defined by

∂P ∂Q ∂R
divF = + +
∂x ∂y ∂z
In terms of the gradient operator the divergence of F

divF = ∇ · F

.
If F(x, y, z) is the velocity of a fluid then div F is the rate of change of the
mass of the fluid flowing from the point (x, y, z) per unit volume.So div F
measures the the tendency of the fluid to diverge from the point (x, y, z).
If div F=0, then F is said to be incompressible.

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Divergence

Example 24
If F(x, y, z) = xzi + xyzj − y 2 k find divF.

Solution (Cont.)
By definition of divergence we have
∂ ∂ ∂
divF = ∇ · F = (xz) + (xyz) + (−y 2 )
∂x ∂y ∂z
= z + xz

MATH 170 Calculus II 47 / 48


Divergence

Theorem 25
If F = P i + Qj + Rk is a vector field on R3 and P, Q, R have continuous
second order partial derivatives then

div curlF = 0

Note that div curlF = ∇ · (∇ × F). It is easily verified by using the


definitions of div and curl.

MATH 170 Calculus II 48 / 48

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