What is the value of the line integral?

In summary, the problem asks to use Green's theorem to find the integral of the given function along two different curves: first, a simple closed curve defined by x = −y2 + 4 and x = 2, and second, a square with vertices at (-1,0), (1,0), (0,1), and (0,-1). The solution involves calculating the partial derivatives of the function and using Green's theorem, which results in an integral of 0 due to the conservative nature of the field.
  • #1
brainslush
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0

Homework Statement


Use Green’s theorem to find the integral
[itex]\oint_{\gamma} \frac{-y}{x^2+y^2}dx+\frac{x}{x^2+y^2}dy[/itex]
along two different curves γ: first where γ is the simple closed curve which goes along x = −y2 + 4 and x = 2, and second where γ is the square with vertices (−1, 0), (1, 0), (0, 1), (0, −1).


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I'm bit confused b/c
[itex]d(\frac{-y}{x^2+y^2})/dy = \frac{y^2-x^2}{(x^2+y^2)^2}[/itex]
[itex]d(\frac{x}{x^2+y^2})/dx = \frac{y^2-x^2}{(x^2+y^2)^2}[/itex]

Then by Green's theorem one gets

[itex]\int_{A}\int (d(\frac{x}{x^2+y^2})/dx-d(\frac{-y}{x^2+y^2})/dy) dx dy = \int_{A}\int 0 dx dy = 0[/itex]

What am I missing?
 
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  • #2
You are not missing anything. The answer IS 0.

Here you have a line integral of a conservative field (you can tell it's conservative from the equality of the partial derivatives).
A line integral of a conservative field will always be zero for any path that begins and ends at the same point, i.e any closed curve.
 

FAQ: What is the value of the line integral?

What is Green's Theorem?

Green's Theorem is a mathematical tool used to calculate the line integral of a two-dimensional vector field over a closed curve. It relates the line integral to a double integral over the region enclosed by the curve.

When is Green's Theorem used?

Green's Theorem is used when calculating the work done by a force along a closed path or when finding the area enclosed by a curve in a two-dimensional plane.

How is Green's Theorem applied?

To apply Green's Theorem, the vector field must be continuous and have continuous partial derivatives over the region enclosed by the curve. The curve must also be simple and closed, meaning it does not intersect itself.

What is the formula for Green's Theorem?

The formula for Green's Theorem is ∮C P(x,y)dx + Q(x,y)dy = ∬R ( ∂Q/∂x - ∂P/∂y ) dA, where C is the closed curve, R is the region enclosed by C, P and Q are the components of the vector field, and dA is the infinitesimal area element.

What are the advantages of using Green's Theorem?

Green's Theorem can simplify calculations by converting a line integral into a double integral, which may be easier to evaluate. It also provides a useful relationship between line integrals and double integrals, making it a powerful tool in solving various problems in physics and engineering.

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