Chapter 5: Problem 53
For the following exercises, find the flux. Let \(\mathbf{F}=5 \mathbf{j}\) and let \(C\) be curve \(y=0,0 \leq x \leq 4\). Find the flux across \(C\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The flux across the curve is 20.
Step by step solution
01
Understand Flux Across a Curve
The flux of a vector field across a curve is given by \[ \text{flux} = \int_C \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} \, ds \]where \( \mathbf{n} \) is a unit normal vector to the curve \( C \), and \( ds \) denotes the differential element of arc length along the curve.
02
Determine the Vector Field and Curve
We are given the vector field \( \mathbf{F} = 5 \mathbf{j} \), which is a constant vector pointing in the positive y-direction, and the curve \( C \) defined by \( y = 0, 0 \leq x \leq 4 \). This implies \( C \) is a straight horizontal line segment on the x-axis from \( x = 0 \) to \( x = 4 \).
03
Compute the Unit Normal Vector
For the curve along the x-axis, the outward normal vector is along the y-direction. Since \( \mathbf{F} \) is also in the y-direction, we find the unit normal vector to be \( \mathbf{n} = \mathbf{j} \). Hence, the dot product \( \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} = (5 \mathbf{j}) \cdot \mathbf{j} = 5 \).
04
Calculate the Arc Length Differential
Since the curve is straight on the x-axis from \( x=0 \) to \( x=4 \), the differential element of arc length \( ds \, \) is simply \( dx \), where \( \int_C \, ds = \int_0^4 dx \).
05
Compute the Flux Integral
The flux across the curve \( C \) can now be calculated:\[ \text{flux} = \int_0^4 5 \, dx = 5 \int_0^4 \, dx = 5 \times [x]_0^4 = 5 \times (4 - 0) = 20. \]
06
Conclusion
The flux of the vector field \( \mathbf{F} = 5 \mathbf{j} \) across the curve \( C \) is 20.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vector Fields
A vector field is essentially a function that assigns a vector to every point in space. Think of it like a field of arrows pointing in various directions throughout a region. Each arrow represents a vector that has both magnitude (length) and direction. In our specific example, the vector field is given as \( \mathbf{F} = 5 \mathbf{j} \). This defines a constant vector field, meaning every point in the field has the same vector: an arrow pointing vertically upwards with a length of 5.
- **Components**: Vector fields like \( \mathbf{F} \) are often expressed in components, usually denoted \( \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j}, \mathbf{k} \) which represent unit vectors along the x, y, and z axes respectively.
- **Uniform Field**: Since \( \mathbf{F} = 5 \mathbf{j} \) has no \( \mathbf{i} \) or \( \mathbf{k} \) components, it is entirely aligned along the y-axis. This is a simplification since there's no variation in direction or magnitude in the field.
Unit Normal Vector
The unit normal vector is a crucial element when working with line integrals and flux across curves. A normal vector is perpendicular to a surface or curve. To convert it into a unit vector, it needs to have a magnitude (or length) of 1.
- **Finding the normal**: For the curve along the x-axis, a normal vector would naturally point in the y-direction. In our problem, since our curve is horizontal, the unit normal vector \( \mathbf{n} \) is simply \( \mathbf{j} \).
- **Importance in flux**: When calculating flux, the unit normal vector determines the direction through which the vector field crosses the curve. The dot product of the vector field and the normal vector is a measure of this flux. In our scenario, the dot product \( \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} = 5 \) is straightforward because the vectors are aligned.
Line Integrals
Line integrals are like integrals in calculus but instead of integrating over a straight line or region, you integrate over a curve. They are vital in fields like physics and engineering for calculating quantities like work done by a force or flux.
- **The setup**: For a line integral concerning flux, we use \( \int_C \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} \, ds \). Here, \( ds \) represents the tiny segments along the curve, akin to how \( dx \) is used in regular integrals. In our case, because the curve \( C \) is a simple straight line along the x-axis, \( ds \) simplifies to \( dx \).
- **Computing the integral**: With \( \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{n} = 5 \) and \( ds = dx \), the integral \( \int_0^4 5 \, dx = 20 \) succinctly computes the total flux across the curve.