Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2015 / Prelims / Mathematics V resit / Question 2

For a bounded region $V\subset {\mathbb{R}}^3$ with piecewise smooth boundary, suppose $\mathbf{F}$ is a continuously differentiable vector field on an open neighbourhood of its closure. The divergence theorem, with outward unit normal vector $\mathbf{n}$, isThe surface integral measures total outward flux. Edges and isolated vertices have zero surface area and do not affect the integral.

In Cartesian coordinates, write the constant vector as $\mathbf{c}=(c_1,c_2,c_3)$. The product rule and constancy of its components giveThe last expression is the dot product with the gradient, so

Apply the divergence theorem to $\varphi \mathbf{c}$, using ii. Because the vector $\mathbf{c}$ is constant, it can be taken outside both integrals:This holds for every $\mathbf{c}$, in particular each of the three Cartesian basis vectors. Equality of the three components proves the gradient volume-to-boundary identityIt suffices that $\varphi$ be a continuously differentiable function on a neighbourhood of the closure of $V$.

Use cylindrical coordinates. The real square root restricts the projection to $0\le r\le 1$, and there $r-1\le 0\le \sqrt{1-r^2}$. Since $\nabla x={\mathbf{e}}_x$, the volume integral isFor an independent boundary calculation, split $\partial V$ into an upper hemisphere $S_{+}$ and a lower right circular conical surface $S_{-}$. They meet in the circle $r=1,z=0$ and there is no additional planar face.

On $S_{+}$, use the parametrizationThe outward unit normal vector is $\mathbf{R}$, and the surface area element is $\sin \alpha d\alpha d\theta$. The $y$ and $z$ components of ${\iint }_{S_{+}}x\mathbf{n}dS$ vanish by the angular integrals of $\sin \theta \cos \theta$ and $\cos \theta$. The $x$ component isOn $S_{-}$, the parametrization $(r\cos \theta ,r\sin \theta ,r-1)$ has outward vector area elementIts negative vertical component points out below the solid. Multiplying by $x=r\cos \theta$ and using the same angular symmetry in integration givesTherefore the independently evaluated surface integral isin agreement with the volume integral. The isolated apex of the cone does not contribute to the surface integral.