Integral and Vector Calculus

Prof. Hari Shankar Mahato

Department of Mathematics
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

Lecture - 59
Stoke's Theorem

Hello students. So, in the previous class, we started with Gauss divergence theorem and
we also looked into the statement of Gauss divergence theorem and how we can convert a
surface integral into a volume integral and then a volume integral back into the surface
integral. So, whichever is given, if in your question if you are asked to evaluate the other
one, you can use the Gauss divergence theorem. And since we have only two more lectures
left, today we will start with one example on Gauss divergence theorem and then we move
to our final theorem in vector calculus which is basically stokes theorem and unfortunately
we do not have any more lectures left.

So, we may not be able to practice examples from the integral calculus section or even
from the introduction of the vector calculus part, but we will try to solve at least two or
three examples on stokes theorem just to make the concepts clear. So, today, we will start
with one example on Gauss divergence theorem.

(Refer Slide Time: 01:31)

So, in the statement from the Gauss divergence theorem, you remember that you can write
if 𝐹⃗ is any vector function, then you can write the volume integral over the divergence of
. .
let us say our vector function is 𝐹⃗ , then in that case I can write ∭𝑉 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝐹⃗ 𝑑𝑉 = ∬𝑆 𝐹⃗ . 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆.
.
So, this is basically our, I am sorry. So, this one is just ∬𝑆 𝐹⃗ . 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆.

So, this is basically our Gauss divergence theorem. And with the help of Gauss divergence
term, you can be able to convert or if you are given to evaluate a surface integral, you can
just convert it into a volume integral and the things will become very straightforward. So,
we will solve one example based on this Gauss divergence theorem.

So, the first example is for today, so the first example is let us say by converting the surface
.
integral into a volume integral, evaluate surface integral ∬𝑆(𝑥 3 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 + 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑧𝑑𝑥 +
𝑧 3 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦) where S is the surface of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1. So, this is basically our sphere. And
we have to convert the surface integral which is to be evaluated on the surface of the sphere
into a volume integral and then we have to calculate the value of this surface integral. So,
we know that from Gauss divergence theorem, we know that, so we have learnt this
formula.

So, there are like two or three expressions for Gauss divergence theorem and one of them
is this one another one is with d x, d y, d y, d z and d y d x form. So, we are going to write
.
that form here. So, by divergence theorem we know that, ∬𝑆(𝐹1 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 + 𝐹2 𝑑𝑧𝑑𝑥 +
. 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹2 𝜕𝐹3
𝐹3 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦) = ∭𝑉( 𝜕𝑥1 + + )𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧.
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

So, this is the required how to say form in terms of for Cartesian coordinates like x, y and
z. So, now, we can compare. So, you see this surface integral here and this surface integral
here, if we compare these two forms, then in that case our 𝐹1 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥 3 , 𝐹2 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) =
𝑦 3 , 𝐹3 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑧 3 right. So, here V is the volume enclosed by the surface S.

Since 𝐹1 is a function of x only, y is 𝐹2 is a function of y only and 𝐹3 is a function of z

only, it makes our life a lot easier because it may happen that here 𝐹3 could be a product
of x y z and their power and things like that. So, then it would have become a little bit
complicated. But since here everything is just like a function of one variable only, then
this is a fairly simple example to do. So, now, by the divergence theorem let me name this
equation as 1. So, from equation 1 if we convert this surface integral, into a volume
integral, then it will take this form like an equation 1. And in equation 1, V is the volume
𝜕𝐹1 𝜕𝐹2
enclosed by this fair S which is given here and we have to evaluate = 3𝑥 2 , =
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝐹3
3𝑦 2 , = 3𝑧 2
𝜕𝑧

, alright. So, let us substitute all these values here.

(Refer Slide Time: 07:02)

So, from 1 and let me call this equation as 2. So, this is as 2. So, from 1 and 2, we have
.
volume integral over V 3 ∭𝑉(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 )𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧. Now, this is basically volume
integral and if we substitute this as 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1,

So, and then d x d y d z is basically dv, so that is the volume element. So, I can write it as
dv alright and this means that we are basically doing or calculating the volume of that
sphere right. So, if your vector function is 1 like in this case and I mean not vector function.
So, if your function overall is 1 in a way, then in that case here this means that you are
actually doing a volume or calculating the volume of the given surface. So, that is what
this mean and here in our case, the given surface is a sphere of unit radius.

So, in that case we can write 4 by 3 or what we can do is instead of substituting, there is
another method which we can follow.
(Refer Slide Time: 09:14)

So, what we can do? Instead of substituting this one, I can substitute just to make things a
little bit more clear, I can substitute 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 cos 𝜑 , 𝑦 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜑 , 𝑧 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃.
.
Then in that case, this will be 3 ∭𝑉 𝑟 2 𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜑.

1 𝜋 2𝜋
So, now for this V, what we can do is we can write 3 ∫𝑟=0 ∫𝜃=0 ∫𝜑=0 𝑟 4 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜑. So,

we can integrate because they are not product they are not in a way involving 𝜃 and r
together. So, we can integrate with respect to r and we can integrate for 𝜃 for the integral
with respect to 𝜃.

1 𝜋 2𝜋 1
So that means, this will reduce to 3 ∫𝑟=0 ∫𝜃=0 𝑟 4 sin 𝜃 [∫0 𝑑𝜑] 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃 = 3 × 2𝜋 × 2 5.

12𝜋
So, ultimately it will be . So, you see initially we had a very how to say complicated
5

expression where it is not that much complicated but still we had to calculate the surface
integral. So, in the question itself it says that convert the surface integral into a volume
integral. So, if we are asked to convert this surface integral to a volume integral, we just
have to use this divergence theorem. And in that divergence theorem if you compare, then
this is basically our 𝐹1 , this is basically 𝐹2 and this is basically 𝐹3 . And on the right hand
side of that divergence theorem, we had to calculate the partial derivatives. So, we
calculated the partial derivatives, we substituted these partial derivatives here and then we
are just substituting taking the help of a spherical polar coordinate system.
So, we substitute 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 cos 𝜑 , 𝑦 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜑 , 𝑧 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃. So, the volume
element will be 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜑(𝑟 sin 𝜃) and then we have here 𝑟 2 basically. So, we so this is our
basically volume element and that is the function with what we are getting from this 𝑥 2 +
𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 . So, all together this is the 𝑟 4 , this is 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜑(𝑟 sin 𝜃) and the limit for r is 0 to 1
for 𝜃 is 0 to 𝜋 and 𝜑 is 0 to 2𝜋. Then when you integrate, you obtain this integral the value
of this surface integral. So, that is how we use the Gauss divergence theorem.

So, whenever you are given a surface integral, you can use Gauss divergence theorem to
convert it into a volume integral and it will become very easy. Because when you are
evaluating surface integral, in some cases you may have a parallelepiped, cube or a cube
and then in that case, you have to do the surface integral on every surface. However, if you
convert that surface integral into a volume integral and the light will become much easier,
then in that case we just have to get the limits for x, y and z and do that calculate that
divergence and hopefully the whole thing will become very easy. So, this is one of the
examples motivated from Gauss divergence theorem. And now we move to our final
theorem which is basically stokes theorem. So, I am going to write the statement first.

(Refer Slide Time: 14:40)

So, Stoke’s theorem, so let me have a look at the statement in my lecture note. So, the
Stoke’s theorem says let S be a piecewise smooth open surface bounded by a piecewise
simple closed curve C and let 𝐹⃗ (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) be a continuous vector function which has
continuous first order partial derivatives in a region of space which contains S in it is
 . . .
interial, then ∮𝐶 𝐹⃗ . 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∬𝑆 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙𝐹⃗ . 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆 = ∬𝑆(∇
⃗⃗ × 𝐹⃗ ). 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆 or we can write it as where 𝑛̂

is a unit outward drawn normal alright. So, this is the required statement and of course S
so if you are walking along the curve C, then your surface S must lie on the left hand side.

So, that is how we choose the curve C that the orientation is always in the anticlockwise
direction. So, that is the property of this curve C and n is outward drawn normal. So, if
you are walking in the anticlockwise direction, then your surface will always lie on the
left. That is how we mean by closed, that is what we mean by this piecewise smooth
bounded by a simple closed curve C. And 𝑛̂ is actually the outward or normal on the
. .
surface S and this then in that case you can write the, so ∮𝐶 𝐹⃗ . 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∬𝑆 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙𝐹⃗ . 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆 =
.
⃗⃗ × 𝐹⃗ ). 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆. So, this is also a very important theorem in vector calculus and also in
∬𝑆(∇
applied it several other branches of applied mathematics where we take help of this
theorem.

So, for example, in partial differential equations or even in fluid mechanics and these
theorems have a very wide application. So, this is required statement and we can also write
this theorem in a Cartesian form. So, I have it in my lecture notes here. So, if I write it as
a Cartesian form, then in that case we can write it as let. So, alternatively or a different
form basically, so alternative or a different form a different form. So, basically let 𝐹⃗ =
𝐹1 𝑖̂ + 𝐹2 𝑗̂ + 𝐹3 𝑘̂ and let 𝑛̂ the outward drawn normal, the outward drawn normal makes
angle 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾 with positive directions of x, y and z axes.

(Refer Slide Time: 20:15)

Then, we can write our normal 𝑛̂ = cos 𝛼 𝑖̂ + cos 𝛽 𝑗̂ + cos 𝛾 𝑘̂ and we know that 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙𝐹⃗ ,
𝑖̂ 𝑗̂ 𝑘̂
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
if 𝐹⃗ has three components and 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙𝐹⃗ = | |.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹1 𝐹2 𝐹3

So, we basically take a dot product with this normal 𝑛̂ which is given here. So, on the left
.
hand side, basically we will have line integral. So, therefore, ∮𝐶(𝐹1 𝑖̂ + 𝐹2 𝑗̂ + 𝐹3 𝑘̂ ). (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ +
.
𝑑𝑦𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑧𝑘̂) = ∬𝑆(∇
⃗⃗ × 𝐹⃗ ). (cos 𝛼 𝑖̂ + cos 𝛽 𝑗̂ + cos 𝛾 𝑘̂)𝑑𝑆.

So, now, we can calculate the 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙𝐹⃗ easily and then we take the dot product and therefore,
.
the whole thing will reduce to and here it will be ∮𝐶(𝐹1 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐹2 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐹3 𝑑𝑧) =
. 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹2 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹3 𝜕𝐹 𝜕𝐹1
∬𝑆 [( 𝜕𝑦3 − 𝜕𝑧
) cos 𝛼 + ( 𝜕𝑧1 − 𝜕𝑥
) cos 𝛽 + ( 𝜕𝑥2 − 𝜕𝑦
) cos 𝛾 ]𝑑𝑆.

So, this is the required form of Stoke’s theorem in the Cartesian form. So, like these
theorem or Gauss divergence theorem, Stoke’s theorem also have also has very wide
application in vector calculus and we will practice a few examples motivated from stokes
theorem and then we will probably close this topic. So, let me just try to find out, ok. So,
here I have some examples.

(Refer Slide Time: 23:29)

.
So, example 1, I guess. So, first example is prove that ∮𝑐 𝑟⃗. 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 0. So, we have to show

that, so that line integral of this 𝑟⃗ is our given vector function in this case. So, 𝐹⃗ = 𝑟⃗ and
line integral over this curve C where C is again any piecewise smooth curve closed curve
. . .
of course, ∮𝐶 𝑟⃗. 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∬𝑆(𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙𝑟⃗). 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆 = ∬𝑆 0. 𝑛̂ 𝑑𝑆 = 0 right.

So, this is how we use the Gauss stokes theorem. Next, we can show that a similar type of
result. So, show that, so there are several show that type of problems which you can also
.
⃗⃗𝜑 . 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 0 . So, our given
solve with this with the help of stokes theorem. Show that ∫𝐶 𝜑∇

function 𝐹⃗ = 𝜑∇
⃗⃗𝜑.

. . .
⃗⃗𝜑 . 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∬ 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙( 𝜑∇
So, here we can have ∫𝐶 𝜑∇ ⃗⃗𝜑). 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆 = ∬ [𝜑𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙∇
⃗⃗𝜑 + ∇
⃗⃗𝜑 ×
𝑆 𝑆

⃗∇⃗𝜑]. 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆.

So, this is basically ⃗⃗

0 because 𝑎⃗ × 𝑎⃗ = ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗𝜑 = 0. So, this is also 0 and this is 0
0 and 𝜑𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑙∇
by definition. So, ultimately we have this as 0, this as 0. So, the integrand is 0 and
.
therefore,∬𝑆 0. 𝑛̂𝑑𝑆 = 0. and then we integrate over surface integral S let us say. So, this
.
⃗⃗𝜑 . 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 0.
is ultimately 0 so, ∫𝐶 𝜑∇

So, you see we did not have to go through any complicated calculation or something, we
just had to use Stoke’s theorem. That means, that you can convert your line integral into a
surface integral and then the rest of the simplification is pretty much straightforward. So,
these were the, to prove that examples that we solved today, but in our next class we will
consider at least one or two examples motivated from the stokes theorem where we might
need to verify the stokes theorem and we will start such examples in our next class.

So, I thank you for your attention today and I will see you in your next class.