Jacobian transformation and 2D curl

In summary, the conversation discussed the use of Jacobian and change of variables in integration. There was confusion about the flipping step and how it affects the integral, which was clarified by the property of the Jacobian. It was also mentioned that both methods of finding the inverse of the Jacobian lead to the same result, with the first method being more efficient in this particular example.
  • #1
Feodalherren
605
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jacobian.png

Umm what just happened?
I understand as far as u=x+y and v = y/x and when he does the 2d curl. What I don't get is the step thereafter when he flips it. How does he know to flip it? Further, when he flips it wouldn't that make the dvdu inside the integral cancel and hence leave him with dxdy?
 
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  • #2
The Jacobian has the property
[itex]J=\frac{\partial(x,y)}{\partial(u,v)}=\frac{1}{\frac{\partial(u,v)}{ \partial (x,y)}}[/itex]
so the change of variables can be written as:
[itex]\int_{S}f(x,y)dxdy=\int_{S'}f(x(u,v),y(u,v))\left|\frac{\partial(x,y)}{ \partial(u,v)}\right|dudv=\int_{S'}f(x(u,v),y(u,v))\frac{1}{\left|\frac{\partial(u,v)}{ \partial (x,y)}\right|}dudv[/itex]


This is why you can first write [itex]u=u(x,y); v=v(x,y)[/itex] and then find the inverse of the corresponding Jacobian. Of course, you can easily verify that the result comes out the same if you use their inverses directly, that is, write [itex]x=x(u,v);y=y(u,v)[/itex] and find the corresponding Jacobian, it's just that in this particular example the first method works faster. As you can see, the [itex]dudv[/itex] part remains unaffected either way.
 

FAQ: Jacobian transformation and 2D curl

What is the Jacobian transformation and why is it important in 2D curl?

The Jacobian transformation is a mathematical tool used to convert coordinates from one system to another. In 2D curl, it is used to transform coordinates from Cartesian to polar coordinates, which is essential in calculating the curl of a vector field.

How is the Jacobian transformation related to the divergence and gradient of a vector field?

The Jacobian transformation is closely related to the divergence and gradient of a vector field. It is used to calculate the gradient of a vector field in non-Cartesian coordinate systems and is a key component in the formula for calculating the divergence of a vector field.

Can the Jacobian transformation be extended to higher dimensions?

Yes, the Jacobian transformation can be extended to higher dimensions, such as 3D space. In this case, it is used to transform coordinates from Cartesian to spherical or cylindrical coordinates, which are often used in physics and engineering applications.

How is the Jacobian matrix related to the Jacobian transformation?

The Jacobian matrix is a matrix of partial derivatives that represents the Jacobian transformation. It is essential in calculating the transformation and can be used to find the determinant of the transformation, which is necessary in many applications.

Why is the 2D curl important in physics and engineering?

The 2D curl is an important concept in physics and engineering as it represents the rotation of a vector field. This is essential in understanding fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, and other physical phenomena. It is also used in engineering applications such as fluid flow analysis and electromagnetic field calculations.

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