Section 15.

2*****: How To Calculate an Integral Over a Curve, C, in Plane or in Space and its
Applications to Physics and Real life

Learning Objectives of 15.2

By the end of this section, you should learn:

➢ The basic applications of an Integral over a Curve:

Curve
1dS

Curve
f ( x, y, z) dS ,

Curve
F • TdS = ?
➢ How to Calculate an Integral Over a Curve to get the Length of the Curve?

➢ How to Calculate an Integral Over a Curve to get the mass of the Curve?

➢ How to Calculate an Integral Over a Curve of a Vector Field to get the work done by the vector
field to move an object along the Curve?

Question: What are the applications of an Integral Over a Curve C?

Answer: The main applications are:

Application 1: Calculus I: Ch7: Section 7.4 and Calculus II: Ch12: Section 5.

We need an Integral over a Curve C to Calculate the

Length of C. Length (C) =  dS
Curve:C

dS = Length of an extyremly small arc of the Cable C=Curved

dx = Length of an extyremly small line segment= flat
From Calculus I, you know how to calculate the length
of a line segment:  a, b:
Length (  a, b ) =  dx = Integral over a flat line segment
 a ,b 
dx = Length of an extyremly small line segment= flat
Application 2: Calculus II: Mass

Mass of the Curved Cable C =  f ( x, y, z )dS

C =Cable

dS = Length of an extyremly small part of the Cable C.

f ( x, y, z ) = Mass density of the Cable C.
Application 3: Calculus II: Work
We need to use an Integral Over a Curved Cable C of a Force Field F ( x, y , z ) to Find the Work
done by this Force Field to move an object from the point A to the point B on the Cable. This Work is
given by the following Integral Over the Curved Cable C:

dW=(Force) • dC dC : Displacement Vector

Work of a Vector Field F ( x, y, z ) over the Curved Cable C

= F ( x, y, z ) • T ( x, y, z )dC
Cable =C

Question: How To Calculate the Length of a Curve C using an Integral Over the Curve C?

Answer: Reminder from Chapter 7, Section 7.4 and Chapter 12: S5

Case 1: Assume the Curve C is defined by a rectangular function: y = f ( x), axb

To find the length of the Curve C given by: y = f ( x), a  x  b , we divide it into an
infinite number of extremely small arcs of length: dS. Assume the arc dS is defined from the point

P(x1 , y1 ) to the point Q(x 2 , y2 ) . Since dS is infinitely small, we can take:

 dS = distance between P(x1 , y1 ) and Q(x 2 , y2 )
dS = ( x2 − x1 ) 2 + ( y2 − y1 ) 2
dS = (dx) 2 + (dy) 2
dy 2
dS = ( 1 + ( ) )dx
dx
dS = ( 1 + ( f '( x)) 2 )dx
b
Length (C) =  dS =  1 + ( f '( x))2 dx
Curve:C a

Case 2: Assume that the Curve C is defined by a set of parametric functions:

 x = x(t ), a t b

 y=y(t)

We know that: dS = (dx) 2 + (dy ) 2

dx = x '(t )dt

  dS = ( x '(t )dt )2 + ( y '(t )dt ) 2 
 dy = y '(t )dt
dS = ( ( x '(t ))2 + ( y '(t ))2 )dt 
b
Length (C) =  dS =  ( x '(t )) 2 + ( y '(t )) 2 dt
Curve:C a

Case 3: The Curve C is defined by a Vector Function r (t ) :

r (t ) = x(t )i + y(t ) j, a t b

r '(t ) = x '(t )i + y '(t ) j 
r '(t ) = x '(t ) 2 + y '(t ) 2 
dS = r '(t ) dt 

b
Length (C) =  dS =  r '(t ) dt
Curve:C a

Application 2: Mass of a Curved Cable

Question: How To Find the Total Mass of a Curved Cable in a Plane or in Space?

Answer: We assume that the Mass Denisty of the Cable is not constant

To find the Total Mass, M, of a Cable, C, in a Plane, we Divide it into, an infinite number of Arcs of
length dS and mass dM. Assume the mass density of the cable at any point (x, y) is given by:

f ( x, y) . Then:
dM
f ( x, y ) =  dM = f ( x, y)dS 
dS

Total Mass of Cable C in 2D =  dM =  f ( x, y)dS

Cable Cable
Total Mass of Cable C(3D) =  dM =  f ( x, y, z )dS
Cable Cable

Remember:

To calculate easily the above integrals for the total mass, we just need to represent the Cable by a
vector function in plane or in space as follows:

r (t ) = x(t )i + y(t ) j or
r (t ) = x(t )i + y(t ) j + z (t )k ; at b

dS = ( x '(t ))2 + ( y '(t ))2 dt = r '(t ) dt

dS = ( x '(t ))2 + ( y '(t ))2 + ( z '(t )) 2 dt = r '(t ) dt

Then:

Theorem 15.4 in plane and in space: How to evaluate an integral over a Curve as a Definite Integral:

Magic:
Mass of a Cable in a Plane
= f ( x, y )dS : Integral over a Curve
Cable
b
=  f ( x(t ), y (t )) ( x '(t )) 2 + ( y '(t )) 2 dt : Integral over a Line segment.
a

Mass of a Cable in Space =  f ( x, y, z)dS

Cable

=  f ( x(t ), y(t ), z (t )) ( x '(t ))2 + ( y '(t )) 2 + ( z '(t )) 2 dt

b

Example 1:
Calculate the Mass of the Cable C going from the point P(0,0,0) to Q(1, 2, 1) whose mass density is:

f ( x, y, z) = x2 − y + 3z see the Figure above.

Hint: Mass of C =  ( x 2 − y + 3z )dS

C

Solution: Guideline to Calculate an Integral over a Curve C

Step0***: Choose the Method to use to Calculate an Integral over a Curve of a scalar function f(x, y) or
f(x, y, z).

You need to find a representation of the curve. You could use: Method 1: rectangular function.
Method 2: vector function based on a parametrization of the curve. Let’s use Method2. Our Curve is a
line segment in Space from P to Q. Ween, we need to find a parametrization of this line segment. Go
to Step1.

Step1: Find the parametric functions that represent your Curve in Space.

Here, you need to find the parametric equations for a Line segment in Space. Then, you need:

a. A point on the Line: P(0, 0, 0)

b. A Vector that is Parallel to your Line.

Take: PQ=(a, b, c)=(1, 2, 1).

Then, the parametric equations for this Line are:

x = x(t ) = x0 + at
y = y(t ) = y 0 + bt
z = z (t ) = z 0 + ct a t b
 x = t

 y = 2t
z = t atb

Domain of t?
P(0=x,0=y,0=z)=P(x(t),y(t),z(t))  x(t)=0=t  t=0
Q(1=x,2=y,1=z)=Q(x(t),y(t),z(t))  x(t)=1=t  t=1
0  t 1
Step2: Find dS in terms of dt.

x = t  x '(t ) = 1
y = 2t  y '(t ) = 2
z = t  z'(t)=1
dS= x '(t ) 2 + y '(t ) 2 + z '(t ) 2 dt
dS = 1 + 22 + 12 dt = 6dt
Step3: Find Your Curve Integral:

x 2 − y + 3z = t 2 − 2t + 3t
1 5 6
C ( x − y + 3z )dS =  (t 2 − 2t + 3t ) 6dt =
2
(kg)
0 6
= Mass of the Cable C whose mass density is:
f(x,y,z)=x 2 − y + 3z
Example 2:
Calculate the following Integral Over the Curve C (or Find the mass of C ) represented by:

4 32 1 2
r (t ) = ti + t j + t k ; 0  t  2
3 2

 ( x + 2)dS
C

Solution: Guideline to Calculate an Integral over a Curve of a scalar function

Step0***: Choose the Method to use to Calculate an Integral over a Curve of a scalar function f(x, y) or
f(x, y, z).

You need to find a representation of the curve. You could use: Method 1: rectangular function.
Method 2: vector function based on a parametrization of the curve. Here we are given: a vector
function. Let’s use it. Go to Step1.

Step1: Find the parametric functions that represent your Curve in Space

Here they are given to you.

4 32 1
x(t ) = t , y (t ) = t , z (t ) = t 2 , 0  t  2
3 2
Step2: Find dC

dS= x '(t )2 + y '(t )2 + z '(t )2 dt

dS = 1 + 4t + t 2 dt
Step3: Find Your Curve Integral
( x + 2) = t + 2
2
C
( x + 2)dC =  (t + 2) t 2 + 4t + 1dt
0
1
1 2
=  2(t + 2)(t + 4t + 1) 2 dt = 15.29 (kg)
2

2 0
1
1 2
=  f '(t ) f (t ) 2 dt = 15.29 (kg) (Calculus I)
2 0

Application 3: How to Calculate the Work of a Vector Field F ( x, y , z ) needed to move a Particle

on a Curve C from a point A to a point B using an Integral of the Vector Field F ( x, y, z ) Over the
Curve C?

Remember: Here, T ( x, y, z ) is a given unit tangent vector to C. C is a Curve given to you and
F ( x, y , z ) is Force Field also given to you.

Kind reminder:

Question: How to Calculate the Work of a Constant Force?

Answer: If the constant force is not acting along the direction of Motion, then:

In our Case, we need to find the Work, along a Curve C, of the Tangential component of the Variable

Force F ( x, y , z ) .

F ( x, y, z ) = TC ( x, y, z ) + NC ( x, y, z )

The tangential component of F ( x, y , z ) is the vector projection of F ( x, y , z ) onto the

unit tangent vector T . See Figure above. Form Section 11.3, we know that:
F •T T
TC ( x, y, z ) = projT F =  = ( F • T )T
T T

F = Force Field
To Calculate this work, we divide this Curve C into, an infinite number of extremely small arcs, S, of
length dS.

Then, we assume that our Variable Force ( F • T )T is constant along each Arc S. Then, the little

work, dW, done by this constant Force: ( F • T )T ( x, y, z ) to move a Particle from a point P to
a point Q along this extremely small Arc, S is given by:

dW (( F • T )T , PQ) = (( F • T )T ) • PQ

This equation is the heart of this section 15.2 and Ch15.

All we need now, is to find the Displacement Vector PQ and its length PQ .

From this graph, we can see that when Q is very close to P:

From this graph, we see that: when Q is very close to P

PQ will be along the Unit Tangent Vector T .
Then, we can take: PQ = PQ * T = dST

dW = (F • T )TdST = (F • T )T • T dS= (F • T )dS

2
T •T = T = 1

W ( F , C ( A, B)) =  (F • T )dS
C

Work ( F , C ) =  (F • T )dS
Curve:C
Curve:C
(F • T )dS

is called: Integral of a Vector Field F in Scalar Form

since dS is a scalar.
Remember: The integral of a vector field can be written under 3 different forms:

1. Scalar form

2. Vector form

3. Differential form

Now, let’s find the Vector Form of an Integral of a Vector Field over a Curve C.

If the curve C is represented by a vector function:

r (t ) = x(t )i + y (t ) j, t   a, b  
r '(t ) = x '(t )i + y '(t ) j
Then: r '(t ) and T are parallel since both are tangent to C.
r '(t )
Then: we can take: T=
r '(t )

dr
We know that: dS = r '(t ) dt = r '(t )  dr = r '(t )dt
and
dt
r '(t )
Then : W ((F • T )T , C ) =  (F • T )dS =  (F • ) r '(t ) dt
C C r '(t )
=  F • r '(t )dt =  F • dr
C C
Then :
W ((F • T )T , C ) =  F • d r = Integral of a Vector Field in Vector Form
C

since dr is a Vector.
To calculate this integral, we can use the Form:
b
W ((F • T )T , C ) =  F • d r =  F( x(t ), y (t )) • r '(t )dt
C a

This is Method1.
Now, let’s find the Differential Form of an Integral of a Vector Field over a Curve C.

Assume our Curve C is reprsented by:

r(t)=x(t )i + y (t ) j ) and F(x,y) = M(x,y)i + N(x,y)j
dr
Then : = r '(t )  d r = r '(t )dt = ( x '(t )i + y '(t ) j )dt 
dt
dx(t ) dy (t )
dr = ( i+ j )dt
dt dt
 dx(t ) dy (t )
W (F, C ( A, B)) =  F • d r =  ( M ( x, y)i + N ( x, y) j ) • ( i+ j )dt
C C dt dt
=  M ( x, y) dx + N ( x, y) dy : (Method2)
C
b
=  M ( x, f ( x))dx + N ( x, f ( x)) f '( x)dx : (Method2)
a

y=f(x)=x*x axb
dy=f'(x)dx

 F•dr
C
=?
Method1: parametrization of C
Method3: S3: If F is conservative: FTLI
Method4: S4: If C is closed and in 2D, Then use the Method of Green.
Method 5: S8: If C is closed and in 3D, Then use Stokes's Theorem.

 M ( x, y)dx + N ( x, y)dy =Integral of a Vector Field : Differential Form

C

Example 1 (Example 6 from Textbook): Work

Calculate the work done by a Force Field given by:

1 1 1
F ( x, y, z ) = − xi − yj + k
2 2 4
On a particle as it moves along the helix given by: See Figure 15.14:

r (t ) = cos(t )i + sin(t ) j + tk ; 0  t  3
From the point (1, 0, 0) to the point (-1, 0, 3pi).
Solution: Guideline to find work of a Vector Field along a Curve C

To calculate this work, we will use the vector form.

Step1: Find : x(t), y(t), z(t), their derivatives, and the range of t.

x(t)=cos(t), x’(t)=-sin(t)

y(t)= sin(t), y’(t) = cos(t), z(t)=t, z’(t)=1

Range of t : (1, 0, 0)=(cos(t), sin(t), t). Then: t=0

(-1, 0, 3pi)=(cos(t), sin(t), t). Then: t=3pi

Step2: Find the vector field in terms of t

1 1 1
F ( x, y, z ) = − cos(t )i − sin(t ) j + k
2 2 4
Step3: Find r’(t)

r '(t ) = − sin(t )i + cos(t ) j + k

Step4: Find the Work of F ( x, y , z ) :

b
Work ( F , C ) =  F ( x, y, z ) • d r =  F ( x(t ), y (t ), z (t )) • r '(t )dt
Curve a
3 1 3
= dt = (Joule=Newton*meters)
0 4 4
Example 2: How to evaluate an integral of a vector field in a differential form
Let C be the circle of radius 3 represented by the vector function:

r (t ) = 3cos(t )i + 3sin(t ) j, 0  t  2
as shown in Figure 15.17. Evaluate the line integral:

C
y 3dx + ( x 3 + 3xy 2 )dy

Solution: Guideline to Calculate an Integral of a vector field in a differential form

Step1: Write down the integral of a vector field in differential form.

Let F ( x, y ) = M ( x, y )i + N ( x, y ) j

 C
M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, ydy = ? 
M ( x, y ) = y 3 , N ( x, y ) = x 2 + 3xy 2
Step2: Find the parametric functions that represent your Curve in xy-plane. Sometimes, we could
keep the rectangular equation of the Curve as in the example 9 of 15.2 on your textbook.

Here, it is given to you.

x(t ) = 3cos(t )
y (t ) = 3sin(t )
Step3: Convert everything into t: dx, dy, x, y, and C.
x(t ) = 3cos(t )
y (t ) = 3sin(t )
dx = x '(t )dt = −3sin(t )dt
dy = y '(t )dt = 3cos(t )dt
Step3: Set up your integral in terms of t and evaluate using Calculus I.

C
M ( x, y )dx + N ( x, y )dy

=  y 3dx + ( x3 + 3xy 2 )dy

C

Example 3: How to evaluate an integral of a vector field in a differential form directly without using a
parametrization

Evaluate: C
ydx + x 2 dy where C is the parabolic arc given by

y = 4 x − x2 from (4,0) to (1,3)

Solution: Guideline to Calculate an Integral of a vector field in a differential form directly

Step1: Rather done using a parametrization of the curve C, you could use directly its rectangular
representation.
y = 4 x − x2  dy=(4-2x)dx
Find the range for x from (4, 0) to (1, 3): x=4 and x=1

1
 ydx + ( x )dy =  ydx + ( x )(4 − 2 x)dx =  (4 x − x 2 + 4 x 2 − 2 x 3 )dx
2 2
C C 4

69
=
2
Handouts for Sections 15.2: Do all the examples from your textbook about 15.2. End-Of-Section 15.2.