15 Vector Analysis

15.1 Introduction to Line Integrals

margin:
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
Figure 15.1.1: Finding area under a curve in space. Λ

We first used integration to find “area under a curve.” In this section, we learn to do this (again), but in a different context.

Consider the surface and curve shown in Figure 15.1.1(a). The surface is given by f(x,y)=1-cos(x)sin(y). The dashed curve lies in the x-y plane and is the familiar y=x2 parabola from -1x1; we’ll call this curve C. The curve drawn with a solid line in the graph is the curve in space that lies on our surface with x and y values that lie on C.

The question we want to answer is this: what is the area that lies below the curve drawn with the solid line? In other words, what is the area of the region above C and under the the surface f? This region is shown in Figure 15.1.1(b).

We suspect the answer can be found using an integral, but before trying to figure out what that integral is, let us first try to approximate its value.

In Figure 15.1.1(c), four rectangles have been drawn over the curve C. The bottom corners of each rectangle lie on C, and each rectangle has a height given by the function f(x,y) for some (x,y) pair along C between the rectangle’s bottom corners.

As we know how to find the area of each rectangle, we are able to approximate the area above C and under f. Clearly, our approximation will be an approximation. The heights of the rectangles do not match exactly with the surface f, nor does the base of each rectangle follow perfectly the path of C.

In typical calculus fashion, our approximation can be improved by using more rectangles. The sum of the areas of these rectangles gives an approximate value of the true area above C and under f. As the area of each rectangle is “height × width”, we assert that the

area above C(heights×widths).

When first learning of the integral, and approximating areas with “heights × widths”, the width was a small change in x: dx. That will not suffice in this context. Rather, each width of a rectangle is actually approximating the arc length of a small portion of C. In Section 12.5, we used s to represent the arc-length parameter of a curve. A small amount of arc length will thus be represented by ds.

The height of each rectangle will be determined in some way by the surface f. If we parameterize C by s, an s-value corresponds to an (x,y) pair that lies on the parabola C. Since f is a function of x and y, and x and y are functions of s, we can say that f is a function of s. Given a value s, we can compute f(s) and find a height. Thus

area under f and above C (heights×widths);
area under f and above C =limΔs0f(ci)Δsi
=Cf(s)ds. (15.1.1)

Here we have introduce a new notation, the integral symbol with a subscript of C. It is reminiscent of our usage of R. Using the train of thought found in the Integration Review preceding this section, we interpret “Cf(s)ds” as meaning “sum up, along a curve C, function values f(s)×small arc lengths.” It is understood here that s represents the arc-length parameter.

All this leads us to a definition. The integral found in Equation (15.1.1) is called a line integral. We formally define it below, but note that the definition is very abstract. On one hand, one is apt to say “the definition makes sense,” while on the other, one is equally apt to say “but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this definition.” We’ll address that after the definition, and actually find an answer to the area problem we posed at the beginning of this section.

margin: Note: Definition 15.1.1 uses the term scalar field which has not yet been defined. Its meaning is discussed in the paragraph preceding Definition 15.3.1 when it is compared to a vector field. Λ
Definition 15.1.1 Line Integral Over A Scalar Field

Let C be a smooth curve parameterized by s, the arc-length parameter, and let f be a continuous function of s. A line integral is an integral of the form

Cf(s)ds=limΔs0i=1nf(ci)Δsi,

where s1<s2<<sn is any partition of the s-interval over which C is defined, ci is any value in the ith subinterval, Δsi is the width of the ith subinterval, and Δs is the length of the longest subinterval in the partition.

When C is a closed curve, i.e., a curve that ends at the same point at which it starts, we use

Cf(s)dsinstead ofCf(s)ds.

The definition of the line integral does not specify whether C is a curve in the plane or space (or hyperspace), as the definition holds regardless. For now, we’ll assume C lies in the x-y plane.

This definition of the line integral doesn’t really say anything new. If C is a curve and s is the arc-length parameter of C on asb, then

Cf(s)ds=abf(s)ds.

The real difference with this integral from the standard “abf(x)dx” we used in the past is that of context. Our previous integrals naturally summed up values over an interval on the x-axis, whereas now we are summing up values over a curve. If we can parameterize the curve with the arc-length parameter, we can evaluate the line integral just as before. Unfortunately, parameterizing a curve in terms of the arc-length parameter is usually very difficult, so we must develop a method of evaluating line integrals using a different parameterization.

Given a curve C, find any smooth parameterization of C: x=g(t) and y=h(t), for continuous functions g and h, where atb. We can represent this parameterization with a vector-valued function, r(t)=g(t),h(t).

In Section 12.5, we defined the arc-length parameter in Equation (12.5.1) as

s(t)=0tr(u)du.

By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, dsdt=r(t). Because r(t) is smooth, this is strictly positive, and so s has an inverse: t=β(s). This means that f(s)=f(g(β(s)),h(β(s))) and

Cf(s)ds=0α(b)f(s)ds=0α(b)f(g(β(s)),h(β(s)))ds.

We can now substitute s=α(t) to see that

Cf(s)ds=abf(g(t),h(t))r(t)dt.

We restate this as a theorem, along with its three-dimensional analogue, followed by an example where we finally evaluate an integral and find an area.

Theorem 15.1.1 Evaluating a Line Integral Over A Scalar Field


Let C be a curve parameterized by r(t)=g(t),h(t), atb, where g and h are continuously differentiable, and let z=f(x,y), where f is continuous over C. Then Cf(s)ds=abf(g(t),h(t))r(t)dt. Let C be a curve parameterized by r(t)=g(t),h(t),k(t), atb, where g, h and k are continuously differentiable, and let w=f(x,y,z), where f is continuous over C. Then Cf(s)ds=abf(g(t),h(t),k(t))r(t)dt.

To be clear, the first point of Theorem 15.1.1 can be used to find the area under a surface z=f(x,y) and above a curve C. This is also a signed area; when f<0, then we have a negative area that subtracts from our answer. We will later give an understanding of the line integral when C is a curve in space.

Let’s do an example where we actually compute an area.

Example 15.1.1 Evaluating a line integral: area under a surface over a curve.

Find the area under the surface f(x,y)=cos(x)+sin(y)+2 over the curve C, which is the segment of the line y=2x+1 on -1x1, as shown in Figure 15.1.2.

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(a) (b)
Figure 15.1.2: Finding area under a curve in Example 15.1.1.

SolutionOur first step is to represent C with a vector-valued function. Since C is a simple line, and we have a explicit relationship between y and x (namely, that y is 2x+1), we can let x=t, y=2t+1, and write r(t)=t,2t+1 for -1t1.

We find the values of f over C as f(x,y)=f(t,2t+1)=cos(t)+sin(2t+1)+2. We also need r(t); with r(t)=1,2, we have r(t)=5. Thus ds=5dt.

The area we seek is

Cf(s)ds =-11(cos(t)+sin(2t+1)+2)5dt
=5(sin(t)-12cos(2t+1)+2t)|-11
14.418units2.

We will practice setting up and evaluating a line integral in another example, then find the area described at the beginning of this section.

Example 15.1.2 Evaluating a line integral: area under a surface over a curve.

Find margin:
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(a)
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(b)
Figure 15.1.3: Finding area under a curve in Example 15.1.2. Λ
the area over the unit circle in the x-y plane and under the surface f(x,y)=x2-y2+3, shown in Figure 15.1.3.

SolutionThe curve C is the unit circle, which we will describe with the parameterization r(t)=cost,sint for 0t2π. We find r(t)=1, so ds=1dt.

We find the values of f over C as f(x,y)=f(cost,sint)=cos2t-sin2t+3. Thus the area we seek is (note the use of the f(s)𝑑s notation):

Cf(s)ds =02π(cos2t-sin2t+3)dt
=6π.

(Note: we may have approximated this answer from the start. The unit circle has a circumference of 2π, and we may have guessed that due to the apparent symmetry of our surface, the average height of the surface is 3.)

We now consider the example that introduced this section.

Example 15.1.3 Evaluating a line integral: area under a surface over a curve.

Find the area under f(x,y)=1-cos(x)sin(y) and over the parabola y=x2, from -1x1.

SolutionWe parameterize our curve C as r(t)=t,t2 for -1t1; we find r(t)=1+4t2, so ds=1+4t2dt.

Replacing x and y with their respective functions of t, we have f(x,y)=f(t,t2)=1-cos(t)sin(t2). Thus the area under f and over C is found to be

Cf(s)ds =-11(1-cos(t)sin(t2))1+t2dt.
This integral is impossible to evaluate using the techniques developed in this text. We resort to a numerical approximation; accurate to two places after the decimal, we find the area is
=2.17.

We give one more example of finding area.

Example 15.1.4 Evaluating a line integral: area under a curve in space.

Find margin:
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Figure 15.1.4: Finding area under a curve in Example 15.1.4. Λ
the area above the x-y plane and below the helix parameterized by r(t)=cost,2sint,t/π, for 0t2π, as shown in Figure 15.1.4.

SolutionNote how this is problem is different than the previous examples: here, the height is not given by a surface, but by the curve itself.

We use the given vector-valued function r(t) to determine the curve C in the x-y plane by simply using the first two components of r(t): c(t)=cost,2sint. Thus ds=c(t)dt=sin2t+4cos2tdt.

The height is not found by evaluating a surface over C, but rather it is given directly by the third component of r(t): t/π. Thus

Cf(s)ds=02πtπsin2t+4cos2tdt9.69,

where the approximation was obtained using numerical methods.

Note how in each of the previous examples we are effectively finding “area under a curve”, just as we did when first learning of integration. We have used the phrase “area over a curve C and under a surface,” but that is because of the important role C plays in the integral. The figures show how the curve C defines another curve on the surface z=f(x,y), and we are finding the area under that curve.

Properties of Line Integrals

margin: C1ADC2B (a)C1ADC2B (b) Figure 15.1.5: Illustrating properties of line integrals. Λ

Many properties of line integrals can be inferred from general integration properties. For instance, if k is a scalar, then Ckf(s)ds=kCf(s)ds.

One property in particular of line integrals is worth noting. If C is a curve composed of subcurves C1 and C2, where they share only one point in common (see Figure 15.1.5(a)), then the line integral over C is the sum of the line integrals over C1 and C2:

Cf(s)ds=C1f(s)ds+C2f(s)ds.

This property allows us to evaluate line integrals over some curves C that are not smooth. Note how in Figure 15.1.5(b) the curve is not smooth at D, so by our definition of the line integral we cannot evaluate Cf(s)ds. However, one can evaluate line integrals over C1 and C2 and their sum will be the desired quantity.

A curve C that is composed of two or more smooth curves is said to be piecewise smooth. In this chapter, any statement that is made about smooth curves also holds for piecewise smooth curves.

We state these properties as a theorem.

Theorem 15.1.2 Properties of Line Integrals Over Scalar Fields


(a) Let C be a smooth curve parameterized by the arc-length parameter s, let f and g be continuous functions of s, and let k1 and k2 be scalars. Then C(k1f(s)+k2g(s))ds=k1Cf(s)ds+k2Cg(s)ds. (b) Let C be piecewise smooth, composed of smooth components C1 and C2. Then Cf(s)ds=C1f(s)ds+C2f(s)ds.

Mass and Center of Mass

We first learned integration as a method to find area under a curve, then later used integration to compute a variety of other quantities, such as arc length, volume, force, etc. In this section, we also introduced line integrals as a method to find area under a curve, and now we explore one more application.

Let a curve C (either in the plane or in space) represent a thin wire with variable density δ(s). We can approximate the mass of the wire by dividing the wire (i.e., the curve) into small segments of length Δsi and assume the density is constant across these small segments. The mass of each segment is density of the segment × its length; by summing up the approximate mass of each segment we can approximate the total mass:

Total Mass of Wire =δ(si)Δsi.

By taking the limit as the length of the segments approaches 0, we have the definition of the line integral as seen in Definition 15.1.1. When learning of the line integral, we let f(s) represent a height; now we let f(s)=δ(s) represent a density.

We can extend this understanding of computing mass to also compute the center of mass of a thin wire. (As a reminder, the center of mass can be a useful piece of information as objects rotate about that center.) We give the relevant formulas in the next definition, followed by an example. Note the similarities between this definition and Definition 14.6.4, which gives similar properties of solids in space.

Definition 15.1.2 Mass, Center of Mass of Thin Wire

Let a thin wire lie along a smooth curve C with continuous density function δ(s), where s is the arc length parameter.

  1. (a)

    The mass of the thin wire is M=Cδ(s)ds.

  2. (b)

    The moment about the y-z plane is Myz=Cxδ(s)ds.

  3. (c)

    The moment about the x-z plane is Mxz=Cyδ(s)ds.

  4. (d)

    The moment about the x-y plane is Mxy=Czδ(s)ds.

  5. (e)

    The center of mass of the wire is

    (x¯,y¯,z¯)=(MyzM,MxzM,MxyM).
Example 15.1.5 Evaluating a line integral: calculating mass.

A margin:
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Figure 15.1.6: Finding the mass of a thin wire in Example 15.1.5. Λ
thin wire follows the path r(t)=1+cost,1+sint,1+sin(2t), 0t2π. The density of the wire is determined by its position in space: δ(x,y,z)=y+z gm/cm. The wire is shown in Figure 15.1.6, where a light color indicates low density and a dark color represents high density. Find the mass and center of mass of the wire.

SolutionWe compute the density of the wire as

δ(x,y,z)=δ(1+cost,1+sint,1+sin(2t))=2+sint+sin(2t).

We compute ds as

ds=r(t)dt=sin2t+cos2t+4cos2(2t)dt=1+4cos2(2t)dt.

Thus the mass is

M=Cδ(s)ds=02π(2+sint+sin(2t))1+4cos2(2t)dt21.08gm.

We compute the moments about the coordinate planes:

Myz =Cxδ(s)ds=02π(1+cost)(2+sint+sin(2t))1+4cos2(2t)dt21.08.
Mxz =Cyδ(s)ds=02π(1+sint)(2+sint+sin(2t))1+4cos2(2t)dt26.35
Mxy =Czδ(s)ds=02π(1+sin(2t))(2+sint+sin(2t))1+4cos2(2t)dt25.40

Thus the center of mass of the wire is located at

(x¯,y¯,z¯)=(MyzM,MxzM,MxyM)(1,1.25,1.20),

as indicated by the dot in Figure 15.1.6. Note how in this example, the curve C is “centered” about the point (1,1,1), though the variable density of the wire pulls the center of mass out along the y and z axes.

We end this section with a callback to the Integration Review that preceded this section. A line integral looks like: Cf(s)ds. As stated before the definition of the line integral, this means “sum up, along a curve C, function values f(s) × small arc lengths.” When f(s) represents a height, we have “height × length = area.” When f(s) is a density (and we use δ(s) by convention), we have “density (mass per unit length) × length = mass.”

In the next section, we investigate a new mathematical object, the vector field. The remaining sections of this chapter are devoted to understanding integration in the context of vector fields.

Exercises 15.1

 

Terms and Concepts

  1. 1.

    Explain how a line integral can be used to find the area under a curve.

  2. 2.

    How does the evaluation of a line integral given as Cf(s)ds differ from a line integral given as Cf(s)ds?

  3. 3.
    Why are most line integrals evaluated using Theorem 15.1.1 instead of “directly” as Cf(s)ds?
  4. 4.

    Sketch a closed, piecewise smooth curve composed of three subcurves.

Problems

In Exercises 5–18., a planar curve C is given along with a surface f that is defined over C. Evaluate the line integral Cf(s)ds.

  1. 5.

    C is the line segment joining the points (-2,-1) and (1,2); the surface is f(x,y)=x2+y2+2.

  2. 6.

    C is the segment of y=3x+2 on [1,2]; the surface is f(x,y)=5x+2y.

  3. 7.

    C is the circle with radius 2 centered at the point (4,2); the surface is f(x,y)=3x-y.

  4. 8.

    C is the curve given by r(t)=cost+tsint,sint-tcost on [0,2π]; the surface is f(x,y)=5.

  5. 9.

    C is the piecewise curve composed of the line segments that connect (0,1) to (1,1), then connect (1,1) to (1,0); the surface is f(x,y)=x+y2.

  6. 10.

    C is the piecewise curve composed of the line segment joining the points (0,0) and (1,1), along with the quarter-circle parameterized by cost,-sint+1 on [0,π/2](which starts at the point (1,1) and ends at (0,0); the surface is f(x,y)=x2+y2.

  7. 11.

    C is the arc of the unit circle traced from (1,0) to (0,1); the surface is f(x,y)=xy.

  8. 12.

    C is the line segment from (0,0) to (1,0); the surface is f(x,y)=xx2+1

  9. 13.

    C is polygonal path from (0,0) to (3,0) to (3,2); the surface is f(x,y)=2x+y

  10. 14.

    C is the path from (2,0) counterclockwise along the circle x2+y2=4 to the point (-2,0) and then back to (2,0) along the x-axis; the surface is f(x,y)=x+y2

  11. 15.

    C is the curve y=x3 for 0x1; the surface is f(x,y)=1+9xy.

  12. 16.

    C is the helix x=cost, y=sint, z=t for 0t2π; the surface is f(x,y,z)=z

  13. 17.

    C is the curve x=t2, y=t, z=1 for 1t2; the surface is f(x,y,z)=xy+y+2yz

  14. 18.

    C is the curve x=tsint, y=tcost, z=223t3/2 for 0t1; the surface is f(x,y,z)=z2

In Exercises 19–22., a planar curve C is given along with a surface f that is defined over C. Set up the line integral Cf(s)ds, then approximate its value using technology.

  1. 19.

    C is the portion of the parabola y=2x2+x+1 on [0,1]; the surface is f(x,y)=x2+2y.

  2. 20.

    C is the portion of the curve y=sinx on [0,π]; the surface is f(x,y)=x.

  3. 21.

    C is the ellipse given by r(t)=2cost,sint on [0,2π]; the surface is f(x,y)=10-x2-y2.

  4. 22.

    C is the portion of y=x3 on [-1,1]; the surface is f(x,y)=2x+3y+5.

In Exercises 23–26., a parameterized curve C in space is given. Find the area above the x-y plane that is under C.

  1. 23.

    C: r(t)=5t,t,t2 for 1t2.

  2. 24.

    C: r(t)=cost,sint,sin(2t)+1 for 0t2π.

  3. 25.

    C: r(t)=3cost,3sint,t2 for 0t2π.

  4. 26.

    C: r(t)=3t,4t,t for 0t1.

In Exercises 27–28., a parameterized curve C is given that represents a thin wire with density δ. Find the mass and center of mass of the thin wire.

  1. 27.

    C: r(t)=cost,sint,t for 0t4π; δ(x,y,z)=z g/cm.

  2. 28.

    C: r(t)=t-t2,t2-t3,t3-t4 for 0t1; δ(x,y,z)=x+2y+2z g/cm. Use technology to approximate the value of each integral.

  1. 29.

    Use a line integral to find the lateral surface area of the part of the cylinder x2+y2=4 below the plane x+2y+z=6 and above the xy-plane.

  2. 30.

    Prove that the Riemann integral abf(x)dx is a special case of a line integral.

  3. 31.

    Let C be a curve whose arc length is L. Show that C1ds=L.

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