Chapter 5: Problem 13
Find the work done by force field \(\mathbf{F}(x, y, z)=-\frac{1}{2} x \mathbf{i}-\frac{1}{2} y \mathbf{j}+\frac{1}{4} \mathbf{k}\) on a particle as it moves along the helix \(\mathbf{r}(t)=\cos t \mathbf{i}+\sin t \mathbf{j}+t \mathbf{k}\) from point \((1,0,0)\) to point \((-1,0,3 \pi)\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The work done by the force field is \(\frac{3\pi}{4}\).
Step by step solution
01
Define the Problem
We need to find the work done by the vector field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = -\frac{1}{2} x \mathbf{i} - \frac{1}{2} y \mathbf{j} + \frac{1}{4} \mathbf{k} \) on a particle moving along the path given by \( \mathbf{r}(t) = \cos t \mathbf{i} + \sin t \mathbf{j} + t \mathbf{k} \). The particle moves from the point \((1,0,0)\) to the point \((-1,0,3\pi)\). This is a line integral problem in vector calculus.
02
Determine Parameter Range for t
The particle starts at \((1,0,0)\) when \(t=0\) because \(\cos(0) = 1\), \(\sin(0) = 0\), and \(t = 0\). The particle ends at \((-1,0,3\pi)\) when \(t=3\pi\) because \(\cos(3\pi) = -1\), \(\sin(3\pi) = 0\), and \(t = 3\pi\). Therefore, \(t\) ranges from \(0\) to \(3\pi\).
03
Find the Derivative of the Path
The derivative of the path \(\mathbf{r}(t) = \cos t \mathbf{i} + \sin t \mathbf{j} + t \mathbf{k}\) with respect to \(t\) is the velocity vector: \(\mathbf{r}'(t) = -\sin t \mathbf{i} + \cos t \mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k}\).
04
Calculate the Line Integral
The work done by the force field is given by the line integral \( W = \int_{C} \mathbf{F} \cdot d \mathbf{r} = \int_{0}^{3\pi} \mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) \cdot \mathbf{r}'(t) \, dt \). We substitute \(\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) = -\frac{1}{2} \cos t \mathbf{i} - \frac{1}{2} \sin t \mathbf{j} + \frac{1}{4} \mathbf{k}\) and \(\mathbf{r}'(t)\).
05
Evaluate the Dot Product
The dot product \(\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) \cdot \mathbf{r}'(t) = \left(-\frac{1}{2} \cos t \right)(-\sin t) + \left(-\frac{1}{2} \sin t\right)(\cos t) + \frac{1}{4}(1)\) simplifies to \(\frac{1}{2} \cos t \sin t - \frac{1}{2} \sin t \cos t + \frac{1}{4}\), which further simplifies to \(\frac{1}{4}\).
06
Integrate the Dot Product
Since \(\mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) \cdot \mathbf{r}'(t) = \frac{1}{4}\), the line integral \( W = \int_{0}^{3\pi} \frac{1}{4} \, dt \) evaluates to \(\frac{1}{4}[t]_{0}^{3\pi} = \frac{1}{4}(3\pi - 0) = \frac{3\pi}{4}\).
07
Conclusion
The work done by the force field \(\mathbf{F}\) on the particle moving along the path \(\mathbf{r}(t)\) from \((1,0,0)\) to \((-1,0,3\pi)\) is \(\frac{3\pi}{4}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Line Integrals
Line integrals are a way to integrate functions along a curve or path in vector calculus. They are especially useful for calculating work done by a force field on a particle moving along a specific trajectory. Unlike regular integrals that span an interval on the x-axis, line integrals account for paths in two or three dimensions and involve vector fields that interact with moving objects.
To compute a line integral, you must:
To compute a line integral, you must:
- Identify the path, often given by a parameterized curve, \( \mathbf{r}(t) \). For instance, our problem uses \( \mathbf{r}(t) = \cos t \mathbf{i} + \sin t \mathbf{j} + t \mathbf{k} \).
- Determine the vector field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) \) affecting the path. Here, \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = -\frac{1}{2} x \mathbf{i} - \frac{1}{2} y \mathbf{j} + \frac{1}{4} \mathbf{k} \).
- Compute the derivative of the path, \( \mathbf{r}'(t) \), which gives the tangent vector to the path.
- Substitute \( \mathbf{r}(t) \) into \( \mathbf{F} \) to get \( \mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) \), the force at each point along the path.
- Compute the dot product \( \mathbf{F}(\mathbf{r}(t)) \cdot \mathbf{r}'(t) \) at each point, which gives the work done at a specific point.
- Finally, integrate the dot product over the parameter range to find the total work done.
Force Fields
A force field is a vector field that describes the influence that forces exert on objects throughout a space. In physics and vector calculus, force fields are essential for expressing how forces like gravity, electricity, or magnetism act in various regions.
In this context, the force field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = -\frac{1}{2} x \mathbf{i} - \frac{1}{2} y \mathbf{j} + \frac{1}{4} \mathbf{k} \) is affecting a particle moving along a specific path. Here are some points to consider with force fields:
In this context, the force field \( \mathbf{F}(x, y, z) = -\frac{1}{2} x \mathbf{i} - \frac{1}{2} y \mathbf{j} + \frac{1}{4} \mathbf{k} \) is affecting a particle moving along a specific path. Here are some points to consider with force fields:
- Force fields are usually functions of position, meaning they change as you move through space. They provide both direction and magnitude of force at each point, expressed as vectors.
- The components of a force field can represent different influences, such as the \( -\frac{1}{2} x \mathbf{i} \) and \( -\frac{1}{2} y \mathbf{j} \) parts, which suggest that the force depends on the position in the x and y coordinates.
- Understanding how a particle interacts with a force field along its path is crucial for evaluating work, energy, or motion.
Helical Paths
Helical paths are fascinating curves found in nature and physics, looking like the shape of a spring or a slinky. In mathematics, these paths are typically defined by parametric equations that involve circular motion along with a linear component in another direction, giving it a 3D twist or spiral.
For our exercise, the helical path is given by the parametric equations \( \mathbf{r}(t) = \cos t \mathbf{i} + \sin t \mathbf{j} + t \mathbf{k} \). Here’s how the helical path works:
For our exercise, the helical path is given by the parametric equations \( \mathbf{r}(t) = \cos t \mathbf{i} + \sin t \mathbf{j} + t \mathbf{k} \). Here’s how the helical path works:
- The terms \( \cos t \mathbf{i} + \sin t \mathbf{j} \) define a circle in the \( xy \)-plane, moving counterclockwise as \( t \) increases.
- The \( t \mathbf{k} \) component describes upward linear movement in the z-direction, leading to a spiral as it combines with the circular path.
- Helical paths are found in structures like DNA and certain mechanical springs, showcasing their importance beyond mere calculus problems.