Surface area

Objective: Find the area of the surface f (x, y, z) = c over a closed and bounded plane region R. Formula for Surface Area
The area of the surface f (x, y, z) = c over a closed and bounded
plane region R is ZZ
|∇f |
Surface area = dA, (8)
R |∇f · p|

where p is a unit vector normal to R and ∇f · p ̸= 0.

The area is the double integral over R of the magnitude

of ∇f divided by the magnitude of
the scalar component of ∇f normal to R.

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• Here f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 − z
Find the area of the surface cut Planar region R : x2 + y 2 ≤ 4 (disc in xy-plane) Surface integral
from the bottom of the paraboloid Unit normal to R: p = k Let S be a surface defined by a continuous function g(x, y, z) = d, and R be the shadow region
x2 +y 2 −z = 0 by the plane z = 4. of the surface S defined by the equation f (x, y, z) = c, then the integral of g over S is the
• Then ∇fp= 2xî + 2y ĵ − k̂ p integral ZZ
|∇f | = (2x)2 + (2y)2 + 1 = 4x2 + 4y 2 + 1 |∇f |
|∇f · p| = |∇f · k| = | − 1| = 1 Surface integral = g(x, y, z) dA, (9)
R |∇f · p|
• In the region R: dA = dxdy where p is a unit vector normal to R and ∇f · p ̸= 0.
ZZ
|∇f | Formula for Surface Area
Surface area = dA
|∇f · p|
Z ZR p The area of the surface f (x, y, z) = c over a closed
Z Z and bounded plane region R is
= 4x2 + 4y 2 + 1 dxdy |∇f |
x2 +y 2 ≤4
Surface area = dA, (8)
Z R |∇f · p|
2π Z 2 p
= 4r2 + 1 rdrdθ where p is a unit vector normal to R and ∇f · p ̸= 0.
0 0
π √
= (17 17 − 1)
6
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The Surface Area Differential and the Differential Form for Surface Integrals Example: Surface integral on planar surface
ZZ Integrate g(x, y, z) = xyz over the sur-
|∇f | • We integrate xyz over each of the six sides and add
dσ = dA g dσ (10) face of the cube cut from the first oc-
|∇f · p| the results.
| {z } | S{z } tant by the planes x = 1, y = 1, and
Surface area differential Differential formula for surface integrals
z = 1. • Since xyz = 0 on the sides that lie in the coordinate
• If S is partitioned by smooth curves into a finite number of non-overlapping smooth planes, the integral over the surface of the cube
patches (i.e., if S is piece-wise smooth), then the integral over S is the sum of the integrals reduces to
over the patches. ZZ ZZ
ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ xyz dσ = xyz dσ
Cube surface Z ZSide A
g dσ = g dσ + g dσ + · · · + g dσ
S S1 S2 Sn + xyz dσ
Z ZSide B
+ xyz dσ
Side c

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Side A is the surface f (x, y, z) = z = 1 over the square region Rxy : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1, in Example: Surface integral on non-planar surface
the xy-plane. For this surface and region,
Consider a vector field F = y î − xĵ + z k̂ defined over a surface which is ZZ
p = k̂, ∇f = k̂, |∇f | = 1, |∇f · p| = |∇f · k̂| = |k̂ · k̂| = 1 the upper hemisphere S : x2 +y 2 +z 2 = 1, z ≥ 0. Calculate the surface integral (∇×F)·n̂ dσ.
S

|∇f | 1 Orientation: Positive î ĵ k̂

dσ = dA = dxdy= dxdy (as expected for planar surface) z
|∇f · p| 1 ∇ × F = ∂x ∂y ∂z = k̂(−1 − 1) = −2k̂ (11)
xyz = xy(1) = xy S y −x z

ZZ ZZ Z 1Z 1 y Let g(x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 + z 2 − 1, z ≥ 0.
1 R
xyz dσ = = xy dxdy = xy dxdy = ∇g ∇g ∇g
Side A Rxy 0 0 4 n̂ = 7→ n̂ dσ = dA = dA
x |∇g| |∇g · p| |∇g · k̂|
Using symmetry, ZZ (2x, 2y, 2z)
1 1 1 3 Boundary: Anti-clockwise n̂ dσ = dA (12)
xyz dσ = + + = Surface: Right hand co-ordinate 2z
Cube surface 4 4 4 4 ZZ ZZ ZZ
system −2 · 2z
(∇×F)·n̂ dσ = da = −2 dA = −2π
Surface normal n̂: Outward S R 2z R
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Stokes’ theorem Gauss’ theorem: Motivation
Video quiz learning

Que: By knowing the amount of the flux passing through the surface of the box,
can we find the amount of charge inside the box? or vice versa?
Gauss’s law: Relates the electric flux through a closed surface
to the charge contained within that surface.
“The total electric flux out of a closed surface is equal to
the charge enclosed divided by the permittivity.”

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• Differential form of Maxwell’s equations in homogeneous medium: Gauss’ divergence theorem

∂H ZZ ZZZ
∇ × E = −µ (Faraday’s law) (13) qtotal
∂t E · n̂ dσ = = ∇ · E dV (Integral form of Gauss’s law) (18)
∂E S ϵ V
∇ × H = −ϵ (Ampere’s law) (14)
∂t • Under suitable conditions, the outward flux of a vector field across a closed surface
q
∇·E = (Gauss’ law) (15) (oriented outward) equals the triple integral of the divergence of the field over the region
ϵ
∇·H = 0 (Gauss’s law for magnetism) (16) enclosed by the surface.

• Gauss’s law: “The total electric flux out of a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed Gauss’ divergence theorem
divided by the permittivity.” The flux of a vector field F across a closed oriented surface S in the direction of
the surface’s outward unit normal field n̂ equals the integral of ∇ · F over the
• Electric flux in an area is defined as the electric field multiplied by the area of the surface
region V enclosed by theZsurface:
Z ZZZ
projected in a plane and perpendicular to the field.
ZZ ZZZ F · n̂ dσ = ∇ · F dV. (19)
qtotal S V
E · n̂ dσ = = ∇ · E dV (Integral form of Gauss’s law) (17)
S ϵ V

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Example Verify the divergence theorem for the field F = xî + y ĵ + z k̂ over the sphere
x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = a2 . F = xî + y ĵ + z k̂ S : x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = a2
ZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ
Divergence Theorem F · n̂ dσ = ∇ · F dV. (19) F · n̂ dσ = a dσ = a dσ = a(4πa2 ) = 4πa3
S V S S S

• To calculate ∇ · F :
• To calculate the outward unit normal to the surface: Let the equation of surface be ∂ ∂ ∂
f (x, y, z) = x2 + y 2 + z 2 − a2 . Then the the outward unit normal to the surface is given by ∇·F=
(x) + (y) + (z) = 3
∂x ∂y ∂z
∇f 2(xî + y ĵ + z k̂) xî + y ĵ + z k̂ ZZZ ZZZ  
n̂ = =p = 4 3
|∇f | 2 2
4(x + y + z ) 2 a ∴ ∇ · F dV = 3 dV = 3 πa = 4πa3
V V 3
x2 + y 2 + z 2
∴ F · n̂ dσ = dσ = a dσ ZZ ZZZ
a
ZZ ZZ ZZ ⇒ F · n̂ dσ = ∇ · F dV.
S V
F · n̂ dσ = a dσ = a dσ = a(4πa2 ) = 4πa3
S S S Thus we verified the divergence theorem.

• To calculate ∇ · F :
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Example Verify the divergence theorem for the field F = xî + y ĵ + z k̂ over the cube For square APQR: x = 1 For square OBTC: x = 0
0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1, 0 ≤ z ≤ 1. z z

ZZ ZZZ C = (0, 0, 1) T C = (0, 0, 1) T

Divergence Theorem F · n̂ dσ = ∇ · F dV. (19)

S V R Q R Q

z B = (0, 1, 0) B = (0, 1, 0)
O y O y

C = (0, 0, 1) T

P P
x A = (1, 0, 0) x A = (1, 0, 0)
R Q

O
B = (0, 1, 0)
y F = 1î + y ĵ + z k̂ F = 0î + y ĵ + z k̂

P
x A = (1, 0, 0)
n̂ = î n̂ = −î
ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ
F · n̂ dσ = + + + + + F · n̂ dσ
S AP QR OBT C P BT Q AOCR AP BO RQT C ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ
F · n̂ dσ = 1 dydz = 1 F · n̂ dσ = 0 dydz = 0
S AP QR S OBT C
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 z

C = (0, 0, 1) T

R Q

B = (0, 1, 0)
O y

P
x A = (1, 0, 0)

F = xî + y ĵ + z k̂
ZThus
Z we have ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ ZZ The End.
F · n̂ dσ = + + + + + F · n̂ dσ
S AP QR OBT C P BT Q AOCR RQT C AP BO
= 1+0+1+0+1+0
= 3 (20)
ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ
Check ∇ · F dV = 3 dV = 3 · dV = 3.
V V V
Thus Gauss’ theorem is verified. 7→ Use it to simplify the calculations.
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