Surface Integral Over Tetrahedron

In summary, the conversation discusses the process of integrating a function over a tetrahedron region defined by specific points. The conversation also touches on the confusion around parameterizing the faces and determining the correct normal for the surface. The final solution involves using u and v as parameters and integrating over the four faces of the tetrahedron separately.
  • #1
Lancelot59
646
1
I have to integrate this function:
[tex]
f(x,y,z)=y+x
[/tex]

Over the region S which is a tetrahedron defined by points (0,0,0), (2,0,0), (0,2,0), (0,0,2).

So after I drew it out I saw that three of the faces were right up against the XZ, YZ, and XY planes. I'm getting stuck on parameterizing the faces.

I tried to do the face against the XZ plane. Using u and v I drew the plane and got a line going from (0,2) to (2,0) in the new U/V plane.

I got these as my functions for the line:
[tex]v=-u+2[/tex]
[tex]u=-v+2[/tex]

From there I parameterized it like so:
[tex]
r(u,v)=(u,0,v)
[/tex]
[tex]
r(u,v)=(u,0,-u+2)
[/tex]

with my normal being:
[tex]
\vec{N}=T_{u} X T_{v} (0,-1,0)
[/tex]
[tex]
\vec{N}=(1,0,-1) X (0,0,0)
[/tex]
[tex]
||\vec{N}||=0
[/tex]

So then combing f and r:
[tex]
f(r(u,v))=0+u=u
[/tex]

To get:
[tex]\int\int f(r(u,v)) * ||N(u,v)|| dA[/tex]
[tex]\int\int u * 0 *dA[/tex]

So I'm confused here. Does that mean that there is no surface integral on that face? Once I get the integrals over the rest of the faces, do I just add them up?
 
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  • #2
Lancelot59 said:
I have to integrate this function:
[tex]
f(x,y,z)=y+x
[/tex]

Over the region S which is a tetrahedron defined by points (0,0,0), (2,0,0), (0,2,0), (0,0,2).

So after I drew it out I saw that three of the faces were right up against the XZ, YZ, and XY planes. I'm getting stuck on parameterizing the faces.

I tried to do the face against the XZ plane. Using u and v I drew the plane and got a line going from (0,2) to (2,0) in the new U/V plane.

I got these as my functions for the line:
[tex]v=-u+2[/tex]
[tex]u=-v+2[/tex]

From there I parameterized it like so:
[tex]
r(u,v)=(u,0,v)
[/tex]
[tex]
r(u,v)=(u,0,-u+2)
[/tex]

You don't want to parameterize the line, you want to parametrize the triangular surface. Your original r(u,v) = (u,0,v) is correct because you need two variables. But you need to specify v goes from 0 to 2 -u or u goes from 0 to 2-v in the inner integral limits.

with my normal being:
[tex]
\vec{N}=T_{u} X T_{v} (0,-1,0)
[/tex]

That would be ru x rv. (Why don't you just use x and z as the natural parameters? And for that matter observe the outward normal is -k.)

[tex]
\vec{N}=(1,0,-1) X (0,0,0)
[/tex]
[tex]
||\vec{N}||=0
[/tex]
Not sure what that is, but it's wrong.
So then combing f and r:
[tex]
f(r(u,v))=0+u=u
[/tex]

To get:
[tex]\int\int f(r(u,v)) * ||N(u,v)|| dA[/tex]
[tex]\int\int u * 0 *dA[/tex]

So I'm confused here. Does that mean that there is no surface integral on that face? Once I get the integrals over the rest of the faces, do I just add them up?

Your dA should be ||(0,-1,0)|| du dv = du dv so your integral should be

[tex]\int_0^2\int_0^{2-v} u*1\, du dv[/tex]

Onward! Only 3 more faces left.:-p
 
  • #3
LCKurtz said:
You don't want to parameterize the line, you want to parametrize the triangular surface. Your original r(u,v) = (u,0,v) is correct because you need two variables. But you need to specify v goes from 0 to 2 -u or u goes from 0 to 2-v in the inner integral limits.
Okay, that makes sense...

That would be ru x rv. (Why don't you just use x and z as the natural parameters? And for that matter observe the outward normal is -k.)
I like u and v...can't really say why.

How is that the normal? The face is up against the XZ plane.

Not sure what that is, but it's wrong.
That was supposed to be the normal...

Your dA should be ||(0,-1,0)|| du dv = du dv so your integral should be

[tex]\int_0^2\int_0^{2-v} u*1\, du dv[/tex]

Onward! Only 3 more faces left.:-p
Could be worse I guess.
 
  • #4
LCKurtz said:
That would be ru x rv. (Why don't you just use x and z as the natural parameters? And for that matter observe the outward normal is -k.)

Lancelot59 said:
How is that the normal? The face is up against the XZ plane.

That was supposed to be the normal...

That's a woops! Obviously I meant -j, which is what I actually used as ||(0,-1,0)||dudv. And the = dudv in that equation is also a copy & paste typo.
 

FAQ: Surface Integral Over Tetrahedron

1. What is a surface integral over a tetrahedron?

A surface integral over a tetrahedron is a mathematical calculation that involves finding the area of a surface that is bounded by four triangular faces. It is used in various fields of science and engineering, such as fluid dynamics and electromagnetism.

2. How is a surface integral over a tetrahedron calculated?

To calculate a surface integral over a tetrahedron, the surface is first divided into smaller triangles. The area of each triangle is then calculated using basic geometry formulas, and the areas are added together to find the total surface area.

3. What is the significance of a surface integral over a tetrahedron?

A surface integral over a tetrahedron is significant because it allows us to find the total surface area of a three-dimensional object, which is an important parameter in many scientific and engineering applications. It also helps in solving various mathematical problems involving surfaces.

4. How is a surface integral over a tetrahedron related to other types of integrals?

A surface integral over a tetrahedron is a special case of a more general type of integral called a triple integral, which involves finding the volume under a three-dimensional surface. It is also related to line integrals and double integrals, which involve finding the length and area under a curve, respectively.

5. What are some real-world applications of a surface integral over a tetrahedron?

A surface integral over a tetrahedron has many real-world applications, such as calculating the flow rate of a fluid over an irregular surface, finding the electric field strength around a charged object, and determining the heat transfer in a three-dimensional object. It is also used in computer graphics and 3D modeling to calculate the surface area of complex objects.

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