Divergence Theorem — Question 6

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Question 6

Let EE be the first-octant tetrahedron x+y+z≤1x+y+z\le 1, and let S=∂ES=\partial E be outward oriented. For 𝑭(x,y,z)=⟨x2,y2,z2⟩,\mathbf F(x,y,z)=\langle x^2,y^2,z^2\rangle, compute the total outward flux.

Tasks

  1. Find the divergence.

  2. Evaluate the needed coordinate moments over the tetrahedron.

  3. Check the answer directly on the slanted face.

Original worksheet page 1: question and worked solution for 6-6-006
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Question 6 – Solution

Strategy. Symmetry makes the three first moments equal; the coordinate-plane faces also provide a short direct check.

Step 1: Divergence ∇⋅𝑭=2x+2y+2z.\nabla\cdot\mathbf F=2x+2y+2z. The tetrahedron has volume 1/61/6 and centroid (1/4,1/4,1/4)(1/4,1/4,1/4), so ∭ExdV=∭EydV=∭EzdV=14⋅16=124.\iiint_E x\,dV=\iiint_E y\,dV=\iiint_E z\,dV =\frac 14\cdot\frac 16=\frac 1{24}.

See the diagram in the original worksheet below.

Step 2: Apply the theorem ∬S𝑭⋅𝒏dS=2(124+124+124)=14.\boxed{\iint_S\mathbf F\cdot\mathbf n\,dS =2\left(\frac 1{24}+\frac 1{24}+\frac 1{24}\right)=\frac 14}.

Step 3: Direct check On each coordinate face the corresponding field component is zero, so those fluxes vanish. On z=1−x−yz=1-x-y, the outward vector element is ⟨1,1,1⟩dA\langle 1,1,1\rangle dA, giving ∬D(x2+y2+(1−x−y)2)dA=14.\iint_D\bigl(x^2+y^2+(1-x-y)^2\bigr)\,dA=\frac 14.

Verification The direct slanted-face integral agrees with the divergence result and is positive, as expected in the first octant.

Original worksheet page 2: question and worked solution for 6-6-006

Original worksheet layout. Use Enlarge or open the PDF for a closer view.