Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2014 / ia / Paper 3 / 11A / ii

On the outward-oriented sphere of radius $R$, $\mathbf{n}=\mathbf{x}/R$, so $\mathbf{x}\cdot d\mathbf{S}=RdS$. HenceAway from the origin, the divergence and curl of a radial vector field with $f(r)=r^{-3}$ giveIf the enclosed volume excludes the origin and its boundary avoids it, this field is smooth throughout the volume. The divergence theorem then gives $I=0$. The nonzero sphere flux is compatible with zero divergence away from the origin because the enclosed singularity prevents applying that smooth-volume theorem directly to the full ball.