Vector line integral weighted by a scalar field
ID: vector-line-integral-weighted-by-a-scalar-field
For an oriented parametric curve and scalar field , define the componentwise line integralIts value is a vector and reversing orientation changes its sign. It differs from the scalar arc length integral , which is independent of orientation. A request to integrate a scalar field along a curve should specify which differential is intended.
For the counterclockwise circle , suppose the restricted field has Fourier series . Orthogonality givesThe oriented vector integral selects the first angular harmonics, whereas the scalar arc-length integral selects the mean.
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