← 2024 Paper 1

UPSC 2024 Maths Optional Paper 1 Q7c — Step-by-Step Solution

20 marks · Section B

Stokes' theorem · Vector Analysis · asked 10× in 14 yrs · Read the full method →

Question

State Stokes’ theorem and verify it for F⃗=xyi^+yzj^+zxk^\vec F=xy\hat i+yz\hat j+zx\hat k over the surface SS, which is the upwardly oriented part of the cylinder z=1−x2z=1-x^2, for 0≤x≤10\le x\le 1, −2≤y≤2-2\le y\le 2.

Technique

Direct computation of both sides; use n^ dS=(−gx,−gy,1) dx dy\hat n\,dS=(-g_x,-g_y,1)\,dx\,dy for the upward orientation; exploit yy-symmetry to kill odd integrals.

Solution

Stokes’ Theorem

Let SS be a piecewise-smooth oriented surface with boundary C=∂SC=\partial S traversed with induced orientation, and F⃗\vec F a C1C^1 vector field. Then

∮CF⃗⋅dr⃗=∬S(∇×F⃗)⋅n^ dS.\oint_{C}\vec F\cdot d\vec r=\iint_S(\nabla\times\vec F)\cdot\hat n\,dS.

Setup

The surface S is the parabolic cylinder z=1-x^2 over 0\le x\le1, -2\le y\le2 (blue ruling lines), oriented with upward normal \hat n. Its boundary \partial S=C_1\cup C_2\cup C_3\cup C_4 is the four highlighted edges, traversed counter-clockwise as seen from above (right-hand rule): C_1 at y=-2, C_2 at x=1, C_3 at y=2, C_4 at x=0. Getting this induced orientation right is the crux of the line-integral side.

SS is parameterised by (x,y)(x,y) over D=[0,1]×[−2,2]D=[0,1]\times[-2,2], with z=g(x,y)=1−x2z=g(x,y)=1-x^2. Upward normal element: n^ dS=(−gx,−gy,1) dx dy=(2x,0,1) dx dy\hat n\,dS=(-g_x,-g_y,1)\,dx\,dy=(2x,0,1)\,dx\,dy.

The boundary CC consists of four pieces traversed counter-clockwise from above:

PieceParametrisationRange
C1C_1r⃗=(x,−2,1−x2)\vec r=(x,-2,1-x^2)x:0→1x:0\to 1
C2C_2r⃗=(1,y,0)\vec r=(1,y,0)y:−2→2y:-2\to 2
C3C_3r⃗=(x,2,1−x2)\vec r=(x,2,1-x^2)x:1→0x:1\to 0
C4C_4r⃗=(0,y,1)\vec r=(0,y,1)y:2→−2y:2\to -2

LHS — ∮CF⃗⋅dr⃗\oint_C\vec F\cdot d\vec r

C1C_1: dr⃗=(1,0,−2x) dxd\vec r=(1,0,-2x)\,dx, F⃗=(−2x,−2(1−x2),x(1−x2))\vec F=(-2x,-2(1-x^2),x(1-x^2)).

∫01(−2x−2x2(1−x2)(−2x))⋯  =  ∫01(−2x−2x2+2x4) dx=−1−23+25=−1915.\int_0^1(-2x-2x^2(1-x^2)(-2x))\cdots\;=\;\int_0^1(-2x-2x^2+2x^4)\,dx=-1-\tfrac{2}{3}+\tfrac{2}{5}=-\tfrac{19}{15}.

Actually computing F⃗⋅dr⃗=(−2x)(1)+(0)+x(1−x2)(−2x)=−2x−2x2+2x4\vec F\cdot d\vec r=(-2x)(1)+(0)+x(1-x^2)(-2x)=-2x-2x^2+2x^4:

∫01(−2x−2x2+2x4) dx=[−x2−2x33+2x55]01=−1−23+25=−1915.\int_0^1(-2x-2x^2+2x^4)\,dx=[-x^2-\tfrac{2x^3}{3}+\tfrac{2x^5}{5}]_0^1=-1-\tfrac{2}{3}+\tfrac{2}{5}=-\tfrac{19}{15}.

C2C_2: dr⃗=(0,1,0) dyd\vec r=(0,1,0)\,dy, F⃗⋅dr⃗=y⋅0=0\vec F\cdot d\vec r=y\cdot 0=0. Integral =0=0.

C3C_3: dr⃗=(1,0,−2x) dxd\vec r=(1,0,-2x)\,dx, x:1→0x:1\to 0, F⃗=(2x,2(1−x2),x(1−x2))\vec F=(2x,2(1-x^2),x(1-x^2)). F⃗⋅dr⃗=2x+x(1−x2)(−2x)=2x−2x2+2x4\vec F\cdot d\vec r=2x+x(1-x^2)(-2x)=2x-2x^2+2x^4.

∫10(2x−2x2+2x4) dx=−∫01(2x−2x2+2x4) dx=−(1−23+25)=−1115.\int_1^0(2x-2x^2+2x^4)\,dx=-\int_0^1(2x-2x^2+2x^4)\,dx=-(1-\tfrac{2}{3}+\tfrac{2}{5})=-\tfrac{11}{15}.

C4C_4: dr⃗=(0,1,0) dyd\vec r=(0,1,0)\,dy, y:2→−2y:2\to -2, F⃗⋅dr⃗=y\vec F\cdot d\vec r=y. ∫2−2y dy=0\int_2^{-2}y\,dy=0.

Total: −1915+0−1115+0=−2-\tfrac{19}{15}+0-\tfrac{11}{15}+0=-2.

RHS — ∬S(∇×F⃗)⋅n^ dS\iint_S(\nabla\times\vec F)\cdot\hat n\,dS

∇×F⃗=(−y,−z,−x).\nabla\times\vec F=(-y,-z,-x). (∇×F⃗)⋅n^ dS=(−y)(2x)+(−z)(0)+(−x)(1) dx dy=(−2xy−x) dx dy.(\nabla\times\vec F)\cdot\hat n\,dS=(-y)(2x)+(-z)(0)+(-x)(1)\,dx\,dy=(-2xy-x)\,dx\,dy. ∫01 ⁣ ⁣∫−22(−2xy−x) dy dx.\int_0^1\!\!\int_{-2}^{2}(-2xy-x)\,dy\,dx.

Inner: ∫−22−2xy dy=0\int_{-2}^{2}-2xy\,dy=0 (odd in yy); ∫−22−x dy=−4x\int_{-2}^{2}-x\,dy=-4x. So inner =−4x=-4x.

∫01−4x dx=−2.\int_0^1-4x\,dx=-2.

Both sides equal −2-2: Stokes’ theorem is verified.

Answer

  ∮CF⃗⋅dr⃗=∬S(∇×F⃗)⋅n^ dS=−2.  \boxed{\;\oint_C\vec F\cdot d\vec r=\iint_S(\nabla\times\vec F)\cdot\hat n\,dS=-2.\;}
We post more of this — worked solutions, CSAT trap breakdowns, guide chapters — a few times a week on Telegram. Free, no sign-in. Join

This solution is part of the Maths Coverage Map — 14 years, mapped. Get the take-away PDF free.