Flux of a Vector Through a Surface: x²+y²=8, z-x²-y²=0

In summary, the problem involves calculating the flux of a given vector through a closed surface composed of a plane and a paraboloid. The outward and inward normals are used to find the flux, and it is not necessary to use the same normal for both surfaces. The integrals are bound by the limits of the given surfaces.
  • #1
cristina89
29
0

Homework Statement


The velocity of a fluid is given, in cartesian coordinates (x, y, z), by [itex]\vec{v}[/itex] = [itex]v_{0}x\hat{z}[/itex] being a constant with velocity dimensions.
a) Calculate the flux of this vector through the closed surface composed by z-x²-y²=0 and by the plan z=8 limited by the circle with radius a=[itex]\sqrt{8}[/itex] (x²+y²=8).

Homework Equations


[itex]\int\int{\vec{v}}\cdot\vec{n}\cdot dS[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution


Well. I've calculated this and it gave me 0 as a result... But I don't know if I did it right.
I've started with

[itex]\int\int{\vec{v}}\cdot\vec{n}\cdot dS[/itex] = [itex]\int\int{v_{0}x}\cdot dS[/itex]

So I've transformed into polar coordinates and it gave me
[itex]\int\int{v_{0}rcosθ}\cdot rdrdθ[/itex] = [itex]\int\int{v_{0}rcosθ}\cdot rdrdθ[/itex]
[itex]= v_{0} \int^{2\pi}_{0}\int^{8}_{0}r²cosθdrdθ[/itex]

And developing this, it gave me 0 as a result. Is this correct?
 
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  • #2
hi cristina89! :smile:
cristina89 said:
[itex]\int\int{\vec{v}}\cdot\vec{n}\cdot dS[/itex] = [itex]\int\int{v_{0}x}\cdot dS[/itex]

no, [itex]\int\int{v_{0}x}(\hat{z}\cdot\hat{n})dS[/itex]
 
  • #3
tiny-tim said:
hi cristina89! :smile:


no, [itex]\int\int{v_{0}x}(\hat{z}\cdot\hat{n})dS[/itex]

ahh ok. so [itex]\int\int{v_{0}x}(\hat{z}\cdot\hat{n})dS = \int\int v_{0}x(\hat{z})\frac{v_{0}x\hat{z}}{\sqrt{v_{0}^{2}x^{2}}}[/itex] right?
What should I do after that? I'm now confused if there is this normal vector in this integral. Is this correct?
 
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  • #4
cristina89 said:
[itex]\int\int{v_{0}x}(\hat{z}\cdot\hat{n})dS = \int\int v_{0}x(\hat{z})\frac{v_{0}x\hat{z}}{\sqrt{v_{0}^{2}x^{2}}}[/itex]

i don't understand that :confused:

(and that fraction is just [itex]\hat{z}[/itex])

[itex]\hat{z}\cdot\hat{n}[/itex] is cos of the slope of the normal (= sin of the slope of the surface)
 
  • #5
tiny-tim said:
i don't understand that :confused:

(and that fraction is just [itex]\hat{z}[/itex])

[itex]\hat{z}\cdot\hat{n}[/itex] is cos of the slope of the normal (= sin of the slope of the surface)

Can't I think that [itex]\hat{n}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{v}{|v|} = \frac{v_{0}x\hat{z}}{\sqrt{v_{0}^{2}x^{2}}} = \hat{z}[/itex]?
And then [itex]\int\int{v_{0}x\hat{z}\hat{z}dS}[/itex]?

Can you explain to me this "[itex]\hat{z}\cdot\hat{n}[/itex] is cos of the slope of the normal (= sin of the slope of the surface)"? :S I can't understand that...
 
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  • #6
There are two surfaces involved here: the paraboloid [itex]z= x^2+ y^2[/itex] and the plane z= 8. Obviously (I hope it is obvious!) the outward normal to the plane z= 8 is [itex]\vec{k}[/itex] and the inward normal is [itex]-\vec{k}[/itex].

The paraboloid [itex]z= x^2+ y^2/[/itex] can be written in vector form, using x and y as parameters, as [itex]\vec{r}(x,y)= x\vec{i}+ y\vec{j}+ z\vec{k}= x\vec{i}+ y\vec{j}+ (x^2+ y^2)\vec{l}[/itex]. The two derivative vectors, with respect to x and y are
[itex]\vec{r}_x= \vec{i}+2x\vec{k}[/itex] and [itex]\vec{r}_y= \vec{j}+ 2y\vec{k}[/itex] are tangent vectors to the surface at each point. Their cross product,
[tex]\left|\begin{array}{ccc}\vec{i} & \vec{j} & \vec{k} \\ 1 & 0 & 2x \\ 0 & 1 & 2y\end{array}\right|= -2x\vec{i}- 2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/tex]
is normal to the surface and [itex]\vec{n}dS= (-2x\vec{i}- 2y\vec{j}+ \vec{k})dxdy[/itex]
That, with x and y components negative, pointing inward, is the "inward normal". Multiplying by -1 to get [itex]2x\vec{i}+ 2y\vec{j}- \vec{k}[/itex] gives the "outward normal". For this problem, where you are calculating the "flux", the flux all the way through, it doesn't matter whether you use "inward" or "outward" normals as long as you are consistent, using the same for both paraboloid and plane.
 
  • #7
HallsofIvy said:
There are two surfaces involved here: the paraboloid [itex]z= x^2+ y^2[/itex] and the plane z= 8. Obviously (I hope it is obvious!) the outward normal to the plane z= 8 is [itex]\vec{k}[/itex] and the inward normal is [itex]-\vec{k}[/itex].

The paraboloid [itex]z= x^2+ y^2/[/itex] can be written in vector form, using x and y as parameters, as [itex]\vec{r}(x,y)= x\vec{i}+ y\vec{j}+ z\vec{k}= x\vec{i}+ y\vec{j}+ (x^2+ y^2)\vec{l}[/itex]. The two derivative vectors, with respect to x and y are
[itex]\vec{r}_x= \vec{i}+2x\vec{k}[/itex] and [itex]\vec{r}_y= \vec{j}+ 2y\vec{k}[/itex] are tangent vectors to the surface at each point. Their cross product,
[tex]\left|\begin{array}{ccc}\vec{i} & \vec{j} & \vec{k} \\ 1 & 0 & 2x \\ 0 & 1 & 2y\end{array}\right|= -2x\vec{i}- 2y\vec{j}+\vec{k}[/tex]
is normal to the surface and [itex]\vec{n}dS= (-2x\vec{i}- 2y\vec{j}+ \vec{k})dxdy[/itex]
That, with x and y components negative, pointing inward, is the "inward normal". Multiplying by -1 to get [itex]2x\vec{i}+ 2y\vec{j}- \vec{k}[/itex] gives the "outward normal". For this problem, where you are calculating the "flux", the flux all the way through, it doesn't matter whether you use "inward" or "outward" normals as long as you are consistent, using the same for both paraboloid and plane.

Thank you!
Is it right to bound the integrals like this [itex]\int^{2∏}_{0}\int^{8}_{0}[/itex]?
 

FAQ: Flux of a Vector Through a Surface: x²+y²=8, z-x²-y²=0

What is the definition of flux?

Flux is the rate of flow of a vector through a surface. It is a measure of the amount of a vector that passes through a given surface in a given amount of time.

How do you calculate the flux of a vector through a surface?

The flux of a vector through a surface can be calculated by taking the dot product of the vector and the unit normal vector to the surface, and then integrating this product over the surface.

What is the significance of the equation x²+y²=8 in relation to the given surface?

The equation x²+y²=8 represents a circular cross-section of the surface. This means that the surface can be visualized as a cylinder with radius 2 and height 8, with the axis of the cylinder passing through the origin.

How does the equation z-x²-y²=0 relate to the given surface?

The equation z-x²-y²=0 represents the top half of the surface. This means that the surface is a dome-like shape with a circular base and a height of 8 units.

What is the importance of finding the flux of a vector through a surface in scientific applications?

The calculation of flux is important in many scientific applications, including fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, and heat transfer. It allows us to understand the flow of various quantities through a given surface, which can have practical implications in fields such as engineering and environmental science.

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