L43. Green's theorem I — statement and the boundary-interior idea made precise
Module 4
2026-09-16 · 10:22 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use Green's Theorem to evaluate $\oint_C ((x+y) dx + x^2 dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the square with vertices $(0,0), (1,0), (1,1), (0,1)$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = x+y$ and $Q = x^2$.
- Compute partial derivatives: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 2x$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 1$.
- The integrand is $2x - 1$.
- Set up the double integral over the square: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 (2x - 1) dy dx$.
- Integrate with respect to $y$: $\int_0^1 (2x - 1) dx$.
- Integrate with respect to $x$: $[x^2 - x]_0^1 = (1-1) - (0-0) = 0$.
Answer: 0
Problem 2. Evaluate $\oint_C (y^2 dx + 3xy dy)$ where $C$ is the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = y^2$ and $Q = 3xy$.
- Compute partial derivatives: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 3y$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 2y$.
- The integrand is $3y - 2y = y$.
- Set up the double integral over the disk $R$ of radius 2: $\iint_R y dA$.
- By symmetry, the integral of $y$ over a disk centered at the origin is 0.
Answer: 0
Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = (e^x - y) \mathbf{i} + (e^y + x) \mathbf{j}$. Find the circulation around the boundary of the region $R$ defined by $0 \le x \le 2$ and $0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = e^x - y$ and $Q = e^y + x$.
- Compute partial derivatives: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = -1$.
- The integrand is $1 - (-1) = 2$.
- The region $R$ is a rectangle with area $2 \times 1 = 2$.
- The integral is $\iint_R 2 dA = 2 \times \text{Area}(R) = 2 \times 2 = 4$.
Answer: 4
L44. Green's theorem II — proof sketch and computations
Module 4
2026-09-17 · 11:25 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use Green's Theorem to evaluate $\oint_C ((y + x^2) dx + (x + y^2) dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the square $[0, 1] \times [0, 1]$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = y + x^2$ and $Q = x + y^2$.
- Compute the 2D curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 1$.
- The integrand is $1 - 1 = 0$.
- The double integral of $0$ over the square is $0$.
Answer: 0
Problem 2. Evaluate $\oint_C (y^2 dx + 3xy dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the semi-circle $x^2 + y^2 = 1, y \ge 0$ and the segment from $(-1, 0)$ to $(1, 0)$, oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = y^2$ and $Q = 3xy$.
- Compute the 2D curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 3y$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 2y$.
- The integrand is $3y - 2y = y$.
- Set up the double integral in polar coordinates: $\int_0^\pi \int_0^1 (r \sin \theta) r dr d\theta$.
- Integrate $r^2$ to get $1/3$ and $\sin \theta$ from $0$ to $\pi$ to get $2$.
- The result is $2/3$.
Answer: 2/3
Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = (e^x - y, e^y + x)$. Calculate the work done by this field around the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ oriented clockwise.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = e^x - y$ and $Q = e^y + x$.
- Compute the 2D curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = -1$.
- The integrand is $1 - (-1) = 2$.
- The double integral over the disk of radius $2$ is $2 \times \text{Area} = 2 \times (\pi \cdot 2^2) = 8\pi$.
- Since the orientation is clockwise, multiply by $-1$.
Answer: -8\pi
L45. Green's theorem III — area by boundary; the planimeter
Module 4
2026-09-18 · 12:21 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use the formula $\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \oint_C (x dy - y dx)$ to find the area of the ellipse defined by $x = 2 \cos t$ and $y = \sin t$ for $t \in [0, 2\pi]$.
Reveal solution
- Compute differentials: $dx = -2 \sin t dt$ and $dy = \cos t dt$.
- Substitute into the integrand: $x dy - y dx = (2 \cos t)(\cos t dt) - (\sin t)(-2 \sin t dt)$.
- Simplify the expression: $2 \cos^2 t dt + 2 \sin^2 t dt = 2(\cos^2 t + \sin^2 t) dt = 2 dt$.
- Integrate from $0$ to $2\pi$: $\int_0^{2\pi} 2 dt = 4\pi$.
- Multiply by the factor of $1/2$: $\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}(4\pi) = 2\pi$.
Answer: 2\pi
Problem 2. Find the area of the region bounded by the curve $x = t^2$ and $y = t^3 - 3t$ for $t \in [-\sqrt{3}, \sqrt{3}]$.
Reveal solution
- Compute differentials: $dx = 2t dt$ and $dy = (3t^2 - 3) dt$.
- Substitute into $x dy - y dx$: $(t^2)(3t^2 - 3) dt - (t^3 - 3t)(2t dt)$.
- Expand and simplify: $(3t^4 - 3t^2) dt - (2t^4 - 6t^2) dt = (t^4 + 3t^2) dt$.
- Integrate from $-\sqrt{3}$ to $\sqrt{3}$: $\int_{-\sqrt{3}}^{\sqrt{3}} (t^4 + 3t^2) dt = [\frac{1}{5}t^5 + t^3]_{-\sqrt{3}}^{\sqrt{3}}$.
- Evaluate: $(\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{5} + 3\sqrt{3}) - (-\frac{9\sqrt{3}}{5} - 3\sqrt{3}) = \frac{18\sqrt{3}}{5} + 6\sqrt{3} = \frac{48\sqrt{3}}{5}$.
- Multiply by $1/2$: $\text{Area} = \frac{24\sqrt{3}}{5}$.
Answer: \frac{24\sqrt{3}}{5}
Problem 3. A region is bounded by the line $y = x$ and the parabola $y = x^2$. Use the boundary integral $\oint_C x dy$ to find the area.
Reveal solution
- The boundary consists of two parts: $C_1$ from $(0,0)$ to $(1,1)$ along $y=x^2$, and $C_2$ from $(1,1)$ back to $(0,0)$ along $y=x$.
- For $C_1$: $x=t, y=t^2, dy=2t dt$ for $t \in [0,1]$. $\int_{C_1} x dy = \int_0^1 t(2t dt) = \int_0^1 2t^2 dt = [\frac{2}{3}t^3]_0^1 = \frac{2}{3}$.
- For $C_2$: $x=t, y=t, dy=dt$ for $t$ from $1$ to $0$. $\int_{C_2} x dy = \int_1^0 t dt = [\frac{1}{2}t^2]_1^0 = 0 - \frac{1}{2} = -\frac{1}{2}$.
- Sum the integrals: $\text{Area} = \frac{2}{3} - \frac{1}{2} = \frac{4-3}{6} = \frac{1}{6}$.
Answer: 1/6
L46. Flux form of Green's theorem — the 2D divergence theorem
Module 4
2026-09-19 · 10:40 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the outward flux of the vector field $\mathbf{F} = 3x\mathbf{i} + 2y\mathbf{j}$ across the boundary of the disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 9$.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = 3x$ and $Q = 2y$.
- Compute the divergence: $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = 3 + 2 = 5$.
- Apply the flux form of Green's Theorem: $\text{Flux} = \iint_R 5 dA$.
- The area of the disk with radius 3 is $\pi(3)^2 = 9\pi$.
- The total flux is $5 \times 9\pi = 45\pi$.
Answer: 45\pi
Problem 2. Find the net outward flux of $\mathbf{F} = (x+y)\mathbf{i} + (x-y)\mathbf{j}$ across the boundary of the rectangle $0 \le x \le 2, 0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = x+y$ and $Q = x-y$.
- Compute the divergence: $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = -1$.
- The divergence is $1 + (-1) = 0$.
- The integral of zero over any region is zero.
Answer: 0
Problem 3. Calculate the outward flux of $\mathbf{F} = e^y\mathbf{i} + x^2\mathbf{j}$ across the boundary of the region $R$ defined by $0 \le x \le 1$ and $0 \le y \le x$.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = e^y$ and $Q = x^2$.
- Compute the divergence: $\frac{\partial P}{\partial x} = 0$ and $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial y} = 0$.
- The divergence is $0 + 0 = 0$.
- The total flux is the double integral of zero, which is zero.
Answer: 0
L47. Parametrised surfaces and surface area
Module 4
2026-09-20 · 11:46 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the area of the part of the plane $x + y + z = 1$ that lies in the first octant ($x \ge 0, y \ge 0, z \ge 0$).
Reveal solution
- Rewrite the surface as $z = 1 - x - y$.
- Compute partial derivatives: $f_x = -1$ and $f_y = -1$.
- Find the area element: $\sqrt{1 + (-1)^2 + (-1)^2} = \sqrt{3}$.
- Identify the domain $D$ in the $xy$-plane: the triangle bounded by $x=0, y=0,$ and $x+y=1$.
- Integrate: $\int_0^1 \int_0^{1-x} \sqrt{3} \, dy dx = \sqrt{3} \int_0^1 (1-x) dx = \sqrt{3} [x - x^2/2]_0^1 = \sqrt{3}/2$.
Answer: $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$
Problem 2. Calculate the area of the surface $z = xy$ over the region $0 \le x \le 1, 0 \le y \le 1$.
Reveal solution
- Compute partial derivatives: $f_x = y$ and $f_y = x$.
- The area element is $\sqrt{1 + y^2 + x^2}$.
- Set up the integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \sqrt{1 + x^2 + y^2} \, dx dy$.
Answer: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \sqrt{1 + x^2 + y^2} \, dx dy$
Problem 3. A cylinder of radius $R$ and height $H$ is parametrised by $\mathbf{r}(\theta, z) = \langle R\cos\theta, R\sin\theta, z \rangle$. Use the surface area formula to verify the lateral area is $2\pi RH$.
Reveal solution
- Compute $\mathbf{r}_\theta = \langle -R\sin\theta, R\cos\theta, 0 \rangle$.
- Compute $\mathbf{r}_z = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
- Compute the cross product: $\mathbf{r}_\theta \times \mathbf{r}_z = \langle R\cos\theta, R\sin\theta, 0 \rangle$.
- Find the magnitude: $\sqrt{R^2\cos^2\theta + R^2\sin^2\theta + 0} = R$.
- Integrate over $0 \le \theta \le 2\pi$ and $0 \le z \le H$: $\int_0^H \int_0^{2\pi} R \, d\theta dz = R(2\pi)(H) = 2\pi RH$.
Answer: $2\pi RH$
L48. Surface integrals of scalar functions
Module 4
2026-09-21 · 11:58 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the surface integral of $f(x, y, z) = x + y + z$ over the part of the plane $x + y + z = 1$ that lies in the first octant ($x, y, z \ge 0$).
Reveal solution
- Parameterise the surface as $z = 1 - x - y$ over the domain $D: 0 \le x \le 1, 0 \le y \le 1 - x$.
- Compute the surface area element: $z_x = -1, z_y = -1$, so $dS = \sqrt{1 + (-1)^2 + (-1)^2} dx dy = \sqrt{3} dx dy$.
- Substitute $z$ into the function: $f = x + y + (1 - x - y) = 1$.
- Set up the integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^{1-x} 1 \cdot \sqrt{3} dy dx$.
- Evaluate: $\sqrt{3} \int_0^1 (1 - x) dx = \sqrt{3} [x - x^2/2]_0^1 = \sqrt{3}/2$.
Answer: $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$
Problem 2. Find the total mass of a thin hemispherical shell of radius $R = 2$ defined by $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4, z \ge 0$, if the density is $\rho(x, y, z) = z$.
Reveal solution
- Use spherical coordinates with $\rho = 2$. The area element is $dS = R^2 \sin \phi d\theta d\phi = 4 \sin \phi d\theta d\phi$.
- The density is $\rho = z = 2 \cos \phi$.
- Set up the integral: $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/2} (2 \cos \phi)(4 \sin \phi) d\phi d\theta$.
- Simplify the integrand: $8 \sin \phi \cos \phi = 4 \sin(2\phi)$.
- Evaluate: $2\pi \int_0^{\pi/2} 4 \sin(2\phi) d\phi = 2\pi [-2 \cos(2\phi)]_0^{\pi/2} = 2\pi [2 - (-2)] = 8\pi$.
Answer: $8\pi$
Problem 3. Calculate the average value of $f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2$ over the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1$ for $0 \le z \le 2$.
Reveal solution
- Parameterise the cylinder: $x = \cos \theta, y = \sin \theta, z = z$.
- Compute $dS$: $\mathbf{r}_\theta = (-\sin \theta, \cos \theta, 0)$ and $\mathbf{r}_z = (0, 0, 1)$. The cross product is $(\cos \theta, \sin \theta, 0)$, and its magnitude is $1$. So $dS = d\theta dz$.
- Substitute into $f$: $f = \cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1$.
- Compute the total integral: $\int_0^2 \int_0^{2\pi} 1 \cdot 1 d\theta dz = 4\pi$.
- Compute the surface area: $\text{Area}(S) = \int_0^2 \int_0^{2\pi} 1 d\theta dz = 4\pi$.
- Average value: $f_{\text{avg}} = 4\pi / 4\pi = 1$.
Answer: $1$
L49. Flux integrals — flow through a membrane
Module 4
2026-09-22 · 10:35 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle z, x, y \rangle$ through the unit disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ in the $xy$-plane, oriented upwards.
Reveal solution
- The surface is $z=0$, so the parameterisation is $\mathbf{r}(u, v) = \langle u, v, 0 \rangle$ with $u^2 + v^2 \le 1$.
- The normal vector is $\mathbf{r}_u \times \mathbf{r}_v = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
- Substitute the surface into the field: $\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(u, v)) = \langle 0, u, v \rangle$.
- Compute the dot product: $\langle 0, u, v \rangle \cdot \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle = v$.
- Integrate $v$ over the unit disk: $\iint_D v \, du dv$.
- By symmetry, the integral of $v$ over a disk centered at the origin is zero.
Answer: 0
Problem 2. Find the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle 0, 0, x^2 + y^2 \rangle$ through the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1$ for $0 \le z \le 2$, oriented outwards.
Reveal solution
- Parameterise the cylinder: $\mathbf{r}(\theta, z) = \langle \cos\theta, \sin\theta, z \rangle$ for $0 \le \theta \le 2\pi, 0 \le z \le 2$.
- Compute tangents: $\mathbf{r}_\theta = \langle -\sin\theta, \cos\theta, 0 \rangle$ and $\mathbf{r}_z = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
- Cross product: $\mathbf{r}_\theta \times \mathbf{r}_z = \langle \cos\theta, \sin\theta, 0 \rangle$. This points outwards.
- Substitute into field: $\mathbf{F} = \langle 0, 0, \cos^2\theta + \sin^2\theta \rangle = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
- Dot product: $\langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle \cdot \langle \cos\theta, \sin\theta, 0 \rangle = 0$.
- The integral of zero is zero.
Answer: 0
Problem 3. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, 0 \rangle$ through the upper hemisphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1, z \ge 0$, oriented upwards.
Reveal solution
- Use the graph form $z = \sqrt{1 - x^2 - y^2}$.
- Compute partials: $z_x = -x/\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}$ and $z_y = -y/\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}$.
- The normal element is $\mathbf{n} dS = \langle -z_x, -z_y, 1 \rangle dx dy = \langle x/z, y/z, 1 \rangle dx dy$.
- Dot product: $\mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} dS = \langle x, y, 0 \rangle \cdot \langle x/z, y/z, 1 \rangle dx dy = (x^2/z + y^2/z) dx dy = \frac{x^2+y^2}{z} dx dy$.
- Convert to polar: $\iint_D \frac{r^2}{\sqrt{1-r^2}} r dr d\theta$.
- Integrate $r^3/\sqrt{1-r^2}$ from $0$ to $1$ using $u = 1-r^2$. The result is $2/3$.
- Multiply by $2\pi$ from the $\theta$ integral to get $4\pi/3$.
Answer: 4\pi/3
L50. The Divergence Theorem I — statement and intuition
Module 4
2026-09-23 · 11:10 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, 2y, 3z \rangle$ through the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1$.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6$.
- Apply the Divergence Theorem: $\Phi = \iiint_V 6 dV$.
- The volume of the sphere is $\frac{4}{3}\pi(1)^3 = \frac{4}{3}\pi$.
- The flux is $6 \cdot \frac{4}{3}\pi = 8\pi$.
Answer: 8\pi
Problem 2. Find the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x^3, y^3, z^3 \rangle$ through the unit cube $[0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2$.
- Set up the triple integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2) dx dy dz$.
- Integrate $3x^2$ over the cube: $\int_0^1 3x^2 dx = [x^3]_0^1 = 1$.
- By symmetry, the integrals of $3y^2$ and $3z^2$ are also 1.
- Total flux is $1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.
Answer: 3
Problem 3. A vector field has a constant divergence $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = -5$. If the flux through a closed surface $S$ is $-100\pi$, what is the volume of the region enclosed by $S$?
Reveal solution
- Use the Divergence Theorem: $\Phi = \iiint_V (\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F}) dV$.
- Substitute the known values: $-100\pi = \iiint_V -5 dV$.
- Pull the constant out: $-100\pi = -5 \cdot \text{Volume}(V)$.
- Solve for volume: $\text{Volume}(V) = \frac{-100\pi}{-5} = 20\pi$.
Answer: 20\pi
L51. The Divergence Theorem II — computations and Gauss's law
Module 4
2026-09-24 · 11:24 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, 2y, 3z \rangle$ through the surface of a sphere of radius $2$ centered at the origin.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6$.
- Apply the Divergence Theorem: $\Phi = \iiint_V 6 dV$.
- The volume of a sphere is $\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$. For $r=2$, $V = \frac{4}{3}\pi(8) = \frac{32\pi}{3}$.
- The flux is $6 \cdot \frac{32\pi}{3} = 64\pi$.
Answer: 64\pi
Problem 2. Find the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x^3, y^3, z^3 \rangle$ through the unit cube $[0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2$.
- Set up the triple integral: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (3x^2 + 3y^2 + 3z^2) dx dy dz$.
- Integrate each term: $\int_0^1 3x^2 dx = 1$. By symmetry, the other two terms are also $1$.
- The total flux is $1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.
Answer: 3
Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, e^z \rangle$. Calculate the flux through the closed surface bounding the cylinder $x^2 + y^2 \le 1$ and $0 \le z \le 1$.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 1 + 1 + e^z = 2 + e^z$.
- Use cylindrical coordinates: $\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (2 + e^z) r dz dr d\theta$.
- Integrate with respect to $z$: $[2z + e^z]_0^1 = 2 + e - 1 = 1 + e$.
- Integrate with respect to $r$ and $\theta$: $(1 + e) \cdot \pi(1)^2 = \pi(1 + e)$.
Answer: \pi(1 + e)
L52. Stokes' theorem I — statement and intuition
Module 4
2026-09-25 · 10:32 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Use Stokes' Theorem to compute the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = \langle zx, xy, yz \rangle$ around the boundary of the triangle with vertices $(0,0,0)$, $(2,0,0)$, and $(0,2,0)$.
Reveal solution
- Step 1: Compute the curl of $\mathbf{F}$. $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = \langle z-x, x-y, y-z \rangle$.
- Step 2: Identify the surface $S$. The simplest surface is the flat triangle in the $xy$-plane where $z=0$.
- Step 3: Determine the normal vector. For the $xy$-plane, $\mathbf{n} = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
- Step 4: Compute the dot product $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = y-z$. Since $z=0$ on the surface, this is just $y$.
- Step 5: Integrate $y$ over the triangle region $D$ bounded by $x=0, y=0, x+y=2$. $\int_0^2 \int_0^{2-x} y dy dx = \int_0^2 \frac{1}{2}(2-x)^2 dx = [-\frac{1}{6}(2-x)^3]_0^2 = 0 - (-\frac{8}{6}) = \frac{4}{3}$.
Answer: 4/3
Problem 2. Explain why the flux of the curl of any smooth vector field $\mathbf{F}$ through a closed sphere is always zero using Stokes' Theorem.
Reveal solution
- Step 1: A closed sphere has no boundary curve $C$.
- Step 2: According to Stokes' Theorem, the surface integral of the curl equals the line integral around the boundary.
- Step 3: Since the boundary is empty (or a single point), the line integral is zero.
- Step 4: Therefore, the surface integral of the curl over any closed surface must be zero.
Answer: The boundary curve is empty, so the line integral is zero.
Problem 3. Calculate the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = \langle -y, x, e^{z^2} \rangle$ around the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 9$ in the plane $z=2$.
Reveal solution
- Step 1: Compute the curl. $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = \langle 0, 0, 1 - (-1) \rangle = \langle 0, 0, 2 \rangle$.
- Step 2: Choose the surface $S$ as the flat disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 9$ at $z=2$.
- Step 3: The normal vector is $\mathbf{n} = \langle 0, 0, 1 \rangle$.
- Step 4: The dot product is $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = 2$.
- Step 5: Integrate 2 over the area of the disk with radius 3. $\iint_S 2 dS = 2 \times (\pi \cdot 3^2) = 18\pi$.
Answer: 18\pi
L53. Stokes' theorem II — computations; consistency with Green
Module 4
2026-09-26 · 10:21 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = [xy, xz, yz]$ around the triangle with vertices $(0,0,0)$, $(1,0,0)$, and $(0,1,0)$ using Stokes' Theorem.
Reveal solution
- Compute the curl: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = [z-x, 0-z, z-y] = [z-x, -z, z-y]$.
- The surface is the triangle in the $xy$-plane, so $z=0$ and $\mathbf{n} = [0,0,1]$.
- The dot product is $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = z-y$. Since $z=0$ on the surface, the integrand is $-y$.
- Integrate $-y$ over the triangle: $\int_0^1 \int_0^{1-x} -y dy dx = \int_0^1 [-\frac{1}{2}y^2]_0^{1-x} dx = \int_0^1 -\frac{1}{2}(1-x)^2 dx$.
- Evaluating the integral: $[\frac{1}{6}(1-x)^3]_0^1 = 0 - \frac{1}{6} = -\frac{1}{6}$.
Answer: -\frac{1}{6}
Problem 2. Use Stokes' Theorem to find the circulation of $\mathbf{F} = [z^2, x^2, y^2]$ around the circle $x^2 + y^2 = 4$ in the plane $z = 3$.
Reveal solution
- Compute the curl: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = [2y-0, 2z-0, 2x-0] = [2y, 2z, 2x]$.
- The surface is a flat disk at $z=3$ with $\mathbf{n} = [0,0,1]$.
- The dot product is $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = 2x$.
- Integrate $2x$ over the disk $x^2 + y^2 \le 4$.
- By symmetry, the integral of $x$ over a disk centered at the origin is zero.
Answer: 0
Problem 3. Verify Stokes' Theorem for $\mathbf{F} = [-y, x, 0]$ around the boundary of the upper hemisphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1, z \ge 0$.
Reveal solution
- Line integral: $C$ is the unit circle in $xy$-plane. $\mathbf{r}(t) = [\cos t, \sin t, 0]$, $\mathbf{r}'(t) = [-\sin t, \cos t, 0]$. $\mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{r}' = [-\sin t, \cos t, 0] \cdot [-\sin t, \cos t, 0] = 1$. $\int_0^{2\pi} 1 dt = 2\pi$.
- Surface integral: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = [0, 0, 2]$.
- Using the flat disk $S$ as the surface: $\mathbf{n} = [0,0,1]$. $\iint_S [0,0,2] \cdot [0,0,1] dS = 2 \times \text{Area}(\text{disk}) = 2\pi$.
- Both sides equal $2\pi$.
Answer: 2\pi
L54. The unified view — all four theorems as one
Module 4
2026-09-27 · 10:22 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, z \rangle$ through the surface of a cube with vertices at $(0,0,0)$ and $(2,2,2)$ using the Divergence Theorem.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial z}{\partial z} = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.
- Identify the volume of the cube: $V = 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8$.
- Apply the Divergence Theorem: $\iint_S \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} dS = \iiint_V 3 dV = 3 \times 8 = 24$.
Answer: 24
Problem 2. Use the unified view to explain why the line integral of a conservative field $\mathbf{F} = \nabla f$ around a closed loop $C$ is always zero.
Reveal solution
- By the unified view (Stokes' Theorem), the line integral around $C$ equals the surface integral of the curl of $\mathbf{F}$ over a surface $S$ bounded by $C$.
- The curl of a gradient field is always zero: $\nabla \times (\nabla f) = 0$.
- Integrating zero over the surface $S$ results in zero.
Answer: 0
Problem 3. Find the triple integral of $f(x,y,z) = 3$ over the region $V$ bounded by the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$. Then, identify a vector field $\mathbf{F}$ such that this integral represents the total flux through the boundary surface $S$ via the Divergence Theorem.
Reveal solution
- The integral is $3 \times \text{Volume of sphere} = 3 \times (\frac{4}{3}\pi 2^3) = 3 \times \frac{32\pi}{3} = 32\pi$.
- We need $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 3$.
- A simple field satisfying this is $\mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, z \rangle$.
Answer: 32\pi, \mathbf{F} = \langle x, y, z \rangle
L55. Maxwell's equations — the vocabulary of light, finally readable
Module 4
2026-09-28 · 10:28 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Given a charge density $\rho(x, y, z) = 3x^2 + 2y^2 + z^2$ inside a unit cube $V = [0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$, use the Divergence Theorem and Maxwell's first equation to find the total electric flux $\iint_S \mathbf{E} \cdot \mathbf{n} dS$ through the surface of the cube.
Reveal solution
- By the Divergence Theorem, the flux is $\iiint_V (\nabla \cdot \mathbf{E}) dV$.
- Substitute Maxwell's first equation: $\iiint_V \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_0} dV$.
- Compute the integral: $\frac{1}{\epsilon_0} \int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (3x^2 + 2y^2 + z^2) dx dy dz$.
- The integral is $[x^3]_0^1 + [\frac{2}{3}y^3]_0^1 + [\frac{1}{3}z^3]_0^1 = 1 + \frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = 2$.
- The total flux is $2 / \epsilon_0$.
Answer: $2 / \epsilon_0$
Problem 2. A magnetic field is given by $\mathbf{B} = (y^2, x^2, 0)$. Show that this field satisfies Maxwell's second equation and explain what this means physically.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(y^2) + \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(x^2) + \frac{\partial}{\partial z}(0)$.
- The result is $0 + 0 + 0 = 0$.
- Since the divergence is zero, it satisfies the equation $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} = 0$.
- Physically, this means there are no magnetic monopoles in this field; every field line that enters a region must leave it.
Answer: The divergence is $0$, so it satisfies the equation; no monopoles are present.
Problem 3. A changing magnetic field creates an electric field such that $\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = (0, 0, -2t)$. Use Stokes' Theorem to find the voltage $\oint_C \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{r}$ around a circle of radius $R=2$ in the $xy$-plane.
Reveal solution
- By Stokes' Theorem, $\oint_C \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{r} = \iint_S (\nabla \times \mathbf{E}) \cdot \mathbf{n} dS$.
- The normal vector to the $xy$-plane is $\mathbf{n} = (0, 0, 1)$.
- The dot product is $(0, 0, -2t) \cdot (0, 0, 1) = -2t$.
- The integral is $\iint_S -2t dS = -2t \times \text{Area of circle}$.
- Area is $\pi R^2 = \pi (2^2) = 4\pi$.
- The voltage is $-2t(4\pi) = -8\pi t$.
Answer: $-8\pi t$
L56. Module 4 review + self-test
Module 4
2026-09-29 · 11:55 · practice PDF
Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the flux of $\mathbf{F} = \langle x^2, y^2, z^2 \rangle$ through the surface of the unit cube $V = [0, 1] \times [0, 1] \times [0, 1]$ using the Divergence Theorem.
Reveal solution
- Compute the divergence: $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F} = 2x + 2y + 2z$.
- Set up the triple integral over the cube: $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \int_0^1 (2x + 2y + 2z) dx dy dz$.
- Integrate $2x$ over the cube: $\int_0^1 2x dx = 1$, and the other dimensions contribute $1 \times 1$. Total for $2x$ is $1$.
- By symmetry, the integrals of $2y$ and $2z$ are also $1$.
- Sum the results: $1 + 1 + 1 = 3$.
Answer: 3
Problem 2. Use Green's Theorem to evaluate $\oint_C (y^2 dx + 3xy dy)$ where $C$ is the boundary of the semi-circle $x^2 + y^2 \le 1, y \ge 0$ oriented counter-clockwise.
Reveal solution
- Identify $P = y^2$ and $Q = 3xy$.
- Compute the curl: $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial P}{\partial y} = 3y - 2y = y$.
- Set up the double integral over the semi-disk: $\iint_D y dA$.
- Use polar coordinates: $\int_0^\pi \int_0^1 (r \sin\theta) r dr d\theta$.
- Integrate $r^2$ from $0$ to $1$ to get $1/3$.
- Integrate $\sin\theta$ from $0$ to $\pi$ to get $2$.
- Multiply: $1/3 \times 2 = 2/3$.
Answer: 2/3
Problem 3. A vector field is given by $\mathbf{F} = \langle z, x, y \rangle$. Find the circulation around the triangle with vertices $(1,0,0), (0,1,0), (0,0,1)$ using Stokes' Theorem.
Reveal solution
- Compute the curl: $\nabla \times \mathbf{F} = \langle 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 \rangle = \langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle$.
- The surface $S$ is the plane $x + y + z = 1$. The unit normal vector is $\mathbf{n} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle$.
- Compute the dot product: $(\nabla \times \mathbf{F}) \cdot \mathbf{n} = \langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle \cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle = \frac{3}{\sqrt{3}} = \sqrt{3}$.
- The area of the triangle is $\frac{1}{2} |\mathbf{AB} \times \mathbf{AC}|$. $\mathbf{AB} = \langle -1, 1, 0 \rangle, \mathbf{AC} = \langle -1, 0, 1 \rangle$.
- Cross product is $\langle 1, 1, 1 \rangle$, magnitude is $\sqrt{3}$. Area is $\sqrt{3}/2$.
- Integral is $\sqrt{3} \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 3/2$.
Answer: 3/2