# work for closed curve x²+y²=1 in the plane z=0

• Jul 5th 2013, 08:25 PM
n22
work for closed curve x²+y²=1 in the plane z=0
Hi I am not sure if i am doing this right.The question im having issues with is in green text.
The text in blue are the other parts of the question(I included it because it may be necessary...but was easy to calculate.)..
F is a force field . F=2xyzi+ (x²z+2y)j+(x²y-2z)k
Calculate ∇xF,and show its conservative.
find potential function Φ for F,
Hence find the work done by F.around the closed curve x²+y²=1 in the plane z=0, transversed in a counterclockwise direction ,starting and ending at the point (1,0,0)
(Clearly this is the base of a cylinder.)
Here is my method :

letting x=costi (α)
y=sintj
since x²+y²=1,y=√1-x² (β)
then subbing (α) into (B)
I got r=sin²ti+cos²tj=1 t ranges from 0 to 2π
then dr=(2sintcost)idt-(2costsint)jdt
• Jul 5th 2013, 08:30 PM
zzephod
Re: work for closed curve x²+y²=1 in the plane z=0
Quote:

Originally Posted by n22
Hi I am not sure if i am doing this right.The question im having issues with is in green text.
The text in blue are the other parts of the question(I included it because it may be necessary...but was easy to calculate.)..
F is a force field . F=2xyzi+ (x²z+2y)j+(x²y-2z)k
Calculate ∇xF,and show its conservative.
find potential function Φ for F,
Hence find the work done by F.around the closed curve x²+y²=1 in the plane z=0, transversed in a counterclockwise direction ,starting and ending at the point (1,0,0)
(Clearly this is the base of a cylinder.)
Here is my method :

letting x=costi (α)
y=sintj
since x²+y²=1,y=√1-x² (β)
then subbing (α) into (B)
I got r=sin²ti+cos²tj=1 t ranges from 0 to 2π
then dr=(2sintcost)idt-(2costsint)jdt

Isn't the work done 0 just because you have a closed curve and a conservative field?

.
• Jul 6th 2013, 11:47 PM
n22
Re: work for closed curve x²+y²=1 in the plane z=0
[QUOTE=zzephod;791883]Isn't the work done 0 just because you have a closed curve and a conservative field?

Hi, yes you are correct.... but what if it were not a closed curve...............then how would one approach this question?
• Jul 7th 2013, 08:24 AM
zzephod
Re: work for closed curve x²+y²=1 in the plane z=0
[QUOTE=n22;791951]
Quote:

Originally Posted by zzephod
Isn't the work done 0 just because you have a closed curve and a conservative field?

Hi, yes you are correct.... but what if it were not a closed curve...............then how would one approach this question?

You use $x=\cos(\theta)$, $y=\sin(\theta)$, $z=0$ and integrate $F(\cos(\theta).\sin(\theta),0)$ with respect to $\theta$ from $\theta=0$ to $2\pi$.

.