MH1803: Calculus for Physics - Tutorial 9
1. The integral Z
a= da
S
is sometimes called the vector area of the surface S. If S happens to be fiat, then |a| is the
ordinary (scalar) area, obviously. Find the vector area of a hemispherical bowl of radius R.
Discuss the result. What can you say about the vector of any 2 surfaces sharing the same
boundary?
Solution:
The outward normal unit vector of a hemispherical bowl centered at the origin is r̂. Using
spherical coordinates:
Z
a= nS
S
Z2π Z π/2
= r̂R2 sin θdθdϕ
0 0
From Lecture Notes, we know that r̂ = i sin θ cos ϕ + j sin θ sin ϕ + k cos θ:
Z 2π Z π/2
= (i sin θ cos ϕ + j sin θ sin ϕ + k cos θ)R2 sin θdθdϕ
0 0
2
= kπR
The vector area of a hemisphere bowl of radius R is a circle.
Since regardless of what surface S is being integrated over, a is only dependent on the surface’s
boundary line. Thus, a is the same for all surfaces sharing the same boundary.
1
2. Check Stokes’ theorem for the function v = yk, using the triangular surface shown in Figure.
[Answer: a2 ]
Solution
Recall Stokes’ theorem ZZ I
(∇ × v) · dS = v · dr
S C
H
We will first evaluate C v · dr along the boundary of the triangle as shown:
2
I I
v · dr = v · (dxi + dyj + dzk)
C IC
= yk · (dxi + dyj + dzk)
ZC Z Z
= y dz + y dz + y dz
1 2 3
Z a Z 0 Z 0
= (2a − 2z) dz + (0) dz + (2a − 2x) dz
z=0 z=a z=0
2
=a
RR
We will next evaluate S (∇×v)·dS using the triangular plane. To do this, we first determine
the equation of the plane to obtain the parametric representation of the plane.
The normal vector to the surface is
i j k
n = rP Q × rRP = 0 −2a a = 2a2 i + a2 j + 2a2 k
a 0 −a
Hence the equation of the plane is
n · r ′ = (2a2 i + a2 j + 2a2 k) · ((x − 0)i + (y − 0)j + (z − a)k) = 0
⇒ 2a2 x + a2 y + 2a2 (z − a) = 0
y
⇒z =a−x−
2
Hence
y
r = xi + yj + (a − x − )k
2
i j k
∂r ∂r 1
⇒ dS = × dydx = 1 0 −1 dy dx = (i + j + k)dy dx
∂x ∂y 2
1
0 1 −
2
3
Also,
i j k
∂ ∂ ∂
∇×v = =i
∂x ∂y ∂z
0 0 y
ZZ Z a Z 2a−2x
1
∇ × v · dS = i · (i + j + k)dy dx
S x=0 y=0 2
Z a
= (2a − 2x)dx
x=0
= 2a − a2 = a2
2
