Chapter 9: Vector Calculus
Section 9.5: Line Integrals
Example 9.5.15
Let be the ellipse and let be the arc subtended by an angle of radians measured counterclockwise from the positive -axis. Calculate the work that the field does on a unit positive charge as the charge moves counterclockwise along .
Solution
Mathematical Solution
The ellipse whose center is and whose semi-major and semi-minor axes are 2 and 1, respectively, is given parametrically by the position vector
=
The value of for which a polar ray subtends an angle of radians is determined by the equation . Thus, from , obtain .
The work done by the field F is given by the line integral
≐
Maple Solution - Interactive
Initialize
Tools≻Load Package: Student Vector Calculus
Loading Student:-VectorCalculus
Tools≻Tasks≻Browse: Calculus - Vector≻ Vector Algebra and Settings≻ Display Format for Vectors
Press the Access Settings button and select "Display as Column Vector"
Display Format for Vectors
Define the vector field F
Enter the free vector whose components are those of F. Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Conversions≻To Vector Field
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻F
Obtain the line integral via the Context Panel
Write the name F and press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Line Integral (Complete the dialog as per Figure 9.5.15(a).)
Context Panel: Evaluate Integral
Context Panel: Approximate≻10 (digits)
Figure 9.5.15(a) Line Integral Domain dialog
In the "Line Integral Domain" dialog, select "Ellipse," enter coordinates of the center and the lengths of the semi-major and semi-minor axes, and provide the bounding angles of the arc. At the bottom of the dialog, select "integral" as the return option. (The alternative is "value".)
It is also possible to obtain a solution from first principles.
Define the path parametrically, as a position vector
Context Panel: Assign Name
Obtain T, a unit tangent vector along the path
Write the name R. Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Frenet Formalism≻Tangent Vector≻
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Normalize≻Euclidean
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻T
Obtain
Calculus palette: Differentiation operator
Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻rho
Obtain the integrand
Common Symbols palette: Dot product operator Press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Simplify≻Simplify
Context Panel: Constructions≻Definite Integral≻ (Complete dialog as per figure at the right.)
Maple Solution - Coded
Install the Student VectorCalculus package.
Set the display format for vectors via the BasisFormat command.
Define F via the VectorField command.
Apply the LineInt command
Define the path parametrically, as the position vector R
Define R as the position vector parametrizing the circle of integration with .
Apply the Norm command to the result obtained with the diff command.
Use the TangentVector command with the option to return a unit vector.
Form and evaluate the requisite line integral
Compute with the DotProduct and simplify commands, then use the Int and int commands.
<< Previous Example Section 9.5 Next Example >>
© Maplesoft, a division of Waterloo Maple Inc., 2024. All rights reserved. This product is protected by copyright and distributed under licenses restricting its use, copying, distribution, and decompilation.
For more information on Maplesoft products and services, visit www.maplesoft.com
Download Help Document