Evaluate the surface integral $\iint\limits_{\sum}f\cdot d\sigma$

In summary, to evaluate the surface integral on the given plane, we need to parametrize $\sum$ using the given restrictions and outward unit normal. However, the computation of the answer provided is incorrect, and the correct answer is $\frac{7}{4}$, not $\frac{15}{4}$.
  • #1
WMDhamnekar
MHB
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Evaluate the surface integral $\iint\limits_{\sum} f \cdot d\sigma $ where $ f(x,y,z) = x^2\hat{i} + xy\hat{j} + z\hat{k}$ and $\sum$ is the part of the plane 6x +3y +2z =6 with x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0,

z ≥ 0 , with the outward unit normal n pointing in the positive z direction.

My attempt to answer this question:

We need to parametrize the $\sum$. As we project $\sum$ onto xy-plane, it yields triangular region R = {(x,y): 0 ≤ x≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ (2-2x) }. Thus, using (u,v) instead of (x,y), we see that,

x=u, y =v , z= 3-3u-3v/2 for 0 ≤ u ≤ 1, 0 ≤ v ≤ (2-2u) is the parametrization of $\sum$ over R (since z = 3-3x-3y/2 on $\sum$)
For (u,v) in R and for r(u,v) = x(u,v)i + y(u,v)j + z(u,v)k = ui + vj + (3-3u-3v/2)k we have

$\displaystyle\left\vert\frac{\partial{r}}{\partial{u}} \times \frac{\partial{r}}{\partial{v}} \displaystyle\right\vert= [1,0,-3] \times[ 0,1,-3/2] = [3, 3/2 ,1] \Rightarrow \left\vert \frac{\partial{r}}{\partial{u}} \times \frac{\partial{r}}{\partial{v}} \right\vert= \frac72$

Thus, integrating over R using vertical slices $\iint\limits_{\sum} f\cdot d\sigma = \iint\limits_{\sum} f\cdot n d\sigma $
$ \iint\limits_{\sum} f\cdot d\sigma=\iint\limits_{R} (f(x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v))\cdot n )\left\vert \frac{\partial{r}}{\partial{u}} \times \frac{\partial{r}}{\partial{v}} \right\vert dv du $

$\iint\limits_{\sum} f\cdot d\sigma = \int_0^1 \int_0^{2-2u} (\frac67 u^2 + \frac{3uv}{7} + \frac67 -\frac67 u -\frac37 v )\frac72 dv du $

$\iint\limits_{\sum} f\cdot d\sigma = \frac74 $

But the answer provided is $\frac{15}{4}.$How is that? Where are we wrong in the computation of answer?
 
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  • #2
Remember that [tex]
\mathbf{n} \left\| \frac{\partial \mathbf{r}}{\partial u} \times \frac{\partial \mathbf{r}}{\partial v} \right\|\,du\,dv
= \left(\frac{\partial \mathbf{r}}{\partial u} \times \frac{\partial \mathbf{r}}{\partial v}\right)\,du\,dv.[/tex]

With your parametrization, [tex]\mathbf{n}\,d\sigma = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ \frac32 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\,du\,dv[/tex] and hence [tex]
\int_\Sigma \mathbf{f} \cdot \mathbf{n} \,d\sigma = \int_0^1 \int_0^{2(1-x)}
3x^2 + \frac32 (x-1)y + 3(1 - x) \,dy\,dx[/tex] for which I also get [itex]\frac 74[/itex].
 

FAQ: Evaluate the surface integral $\iint\limits_{\sum}f\cdot d\sigma$

What is a surface integral?

A surface integral is a mathematical concept used in multivariable calculus to calculate the flux or flow of a vector field over a two-dimensional surface.

How is a surface integral different from a regular integral?

A surface integral is performed over a two-dimensional surface, while a regular integral is performed over a one-dimensional interval. In a surface integral, the function being integrated is multiplied by an element of surface area, whereas in a regular integral, the function is multiplied by an element of length.

What is the significance of the symbol $\iint\limits_{\sum}$ in the surface integral?

The symbol $\iint\limits_{\sum}$ represents a double integral, indicating that the surface integral is being performed over a two-dimensional surface. The $\sum$ symbol denotes the surface over which the integral is being evaluated.

What is the purpose of the function $f$ in the surface integral?

The function $f$ represents the magnitude of the vector field being integrated over the surface. It can be thought of as the "strength" or "density" of the vector field at each point on the surface.

How is a surface integral used in real-world applications?

Surface integrals have many applications in physics and engineering, such as calculating the flux of a fluid through a surface, finding the total electric charge on a surface, or determining the mass of a curved object. They are also used in computer graphics to calculate lighting and shading effects on curved surfaces.

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