Module-IV: Vector Calculus

Lesson 47

Stokes’s Theorem

47.1 Introduction
Let C be a curve in two dimensions which is written in the parametric form r = r ( s ) . Then,
the unit tangent vector to C is given by

dx dy
=
T i+ j
ds ds

Let v be written in the form =

v gi − fj.

 dx dy  dx dy
Then v.T =
( gi − fj ).  i + j =g −f .
 ds ds  ds ds

By Green’s theorem , we have

 ∂f ∂g 
∫ v.dr= ∫ v.Tds= ∫ gdx − fdy= ∫∫ −  ∂x + ∂y dxdy= ∫∫ (∇ × v).kdxdy. \
C C C R R

This result can be considered as a particular case of the Stokes’s theorem. Extension of the
Green’s theorem to three dimensions can be done under the following generalizations.

(i) The closed curve C enclosing R in the plane → the closed curve C bounding an
open smooth orientable surface S (open two sided surface).
(ii) The unit normal n to C → the unit outward or inward normal n to S.
(iii) Counter clockwise direction of C → the direction of C is governed by the direction
of the normal n to S. If n is taken as outward normal, then C is oriented as right
handed screw and if n is taken as inward normal, then C is oriented as left handed
screw.

47.2 The Main Result

We now state the Stokes’s theorem.

47.2.1 Theorem (Stokes’s Theorem): Let S be a piecewise smooth orient able surface
bounded by a piecewise smooth simple closed curve C. Let
v( x, y, z ) =v1 ( x, y, z )i + v2 ( x, y, z ) j + v3 ( x, y, z ) k be a vector function which is continuous and
has continuous first order partial derivatives in a domain which contains S. If C is traversed
in the positive direction, then

∫ v.dr= ∫ (v.T )ds= ∫∫ (∇ × v).ndA

C C S

where n is the unit normal to S in the direction o orientation of C.

 Stokes’s Theorem

In terms of components of v we have

∫ [v ( x, y, z )dx + v ( x, y, z )dy + v ( x, y, z)dz=] ∫∫ (∇ × v).ndA.

C
1 2 3
S

47.2.2 Remark: As in divergence theorem, the theorem holds if the given surface S can be
subdivided into finitely many special surfaces such that each of these surfaces can be
described in the required manner.

47.2.3 Remark: To prove the Stokes’s theorem, it is not necessary that the equation of the
surface should be simultaneously written in the =
forms z f=
( x, y ), y g ( x, z ) and x = h( y, z )
. For example, if we take the question of the surface as z = f ( x, y ) and assume that f ( x, y )
has continuous second order partial derivatives then the theorem can be easily proved.

47.2.4 Remark: (Physical interpretation of curl)

We know that in rigid body rotation, if v denotes the tangential (linear) velocity of a point on
it, then curl v represents the angular velocity of the uniformly rotating body. We also know
that a line integral of a vector field v around a simple closed curve C defines the circulation
of v around C. For example, if v denotes the velocity of a fluid, then circulation gives the
amount by which the fluid tends to turn the curve by rotating or circulating around C.
Therefore, circulation (line integral) is closely related to curl of the vector field. To see this,
let Cr be a small circle with centre at P* ( x* , y* , z * ) . Then, by Stokes’s theorem, we have

∫ v.dr = ∫∫ curlv.ndA
Cr Sr

where S r is a small surface whose bounding curve is Cr . Let P ( x, y, z ) be any arbitrary point
on Cr . We approximate curlv( P ) ≈ curlv( P* ). Then, we have

∫ v.dr ∫∫= [curlv( P* ).n( P* )]∫∫ dA

* *
[curlv( P )].n( P )dA
Cr Sr Sr

= [curlv( P* ).n( P )] Ar
*

where Ar is the surface area of S r . Let the radius r of Cr tend to zero. Then, the
approximation curlv( P ) ≈ curlv( P* ) becomes more accurate and in the limit as r → 0, we get

1
curlv( P* ).n( P ) = lim ∫ v.dr.
*

r →0 Ar Cr

The left hand side of the above equation is the normal component of curl v. The right hand
side of equation is circulation of v per unit area. The left hand side is maximum when the
circle Cr is positioned such that the normal to surface, n( P* ) points in the same direction as
curlv( P* ).

2
 Stokes’s Theorem

47.2.5 Remark: Stokes’s theorem states that the value of the surface integral is same for any
surface as long as the boundary curve, bounding the projection R on any coordinate plane, is
the same curve C. Hence, in the degenerate case, when S coincides with R, we can take n=k
or j or i depending on whether the projection is taken on the x-y plane or x-z plane or y-z
plane.

47.2.6 Example: Verify Stokes’s theorem for the vector field v = (3 x − y )i − 2 yz 2 j − 2 y 2 zk ,

where S is the surface of the sphere x 2 + y 2 + z 2= 16, z > 0.

Solution: Consider projection of S on the x-y plane. The projection is the circular region
x 2 + y 2 ≤ 16, z =
0 and the bounding curve C is the circle z = 0, x 2 + y 2 = 16.

We have

∫ v.dr = ∫ (3x − y)dx − 2 yz dy − 2 y zdz = ∫ (3x − y)dx

2 2

C C C

=
since z=0. Setting cos θ , y 4sin θ , we obtain
x 4=

2π 2π
3 1 
C∫ (3x − y)dx =
∫0 4(3cos θ − sin θ )(−4sin θ )dθ =
−16 ∫  sin 2θ − (1 − cos 2θ )  dθ
0 
2 2 
1
= 16
=   2π 16π .
2

i j k
∇ × v = ∂ / ∂x ∂ / ∂y ∂ / ∂z = i (−4 yz + 4 yz ) − j (0) + k (1) = k
3 x − y −2 yz 2 −2 y 2 z
Now,
2( xi + yj + zk ) 1 z
=n = ( xi + yj + zk ), (∇ × v=
).n .
2 x2 + y 2 + z 2 4 4

Therefore,

z z dxdy z dxdy
∫∫ (∇ × v=
S
).ndA ∫∫=
4
dA ∫∫ = ∫∫ = ∫∫=
4 n.k
S
4 ( z / 4)
R
dxdy
R R
16π

which is the area of the circular region in the x-y plane. Hence, Stokes’s theorem is proved.

3
 Stokes’s Theorem

∫ (2 y dx + x dy + zdz
3 3
47.2.7 Example: Evaluate where C is the trace of the cone
C

=z (x + y )
2 2

intersected by the plane x=4 and S is the surface of the cone below z=4.

Solution: We have v = 2 y 3i + x3 j + zk and

i j k
curlv =∂ / ∂x ∂ / ∂y ∂ / ∂z =i (0) − j (0) + k (3 x 2 − 6 y 2 ).
2 y3 x3 z
If the outward normal to S is taken, then it points downwards. Then, the orientation of C is
taken in the clockwise direction. Alternatively, if the inward normal to S is taken, then C is
oriented in the counter clockwise direction.

Let f ( x, y, z=
) x 2 + y 2 − z= 0 be taken as the equation of the surface. Then, the normal and
unit normal are given by

xi + yj xi + yj − zk ( xi + yj − zk ) / z xi + yj − zk
=N = −k = and n = except at the
x2 + y 2 z ( x2 + y 2 + z 2 ) / z 2 2z
origin.

(3 x 2 − 6 y 2 ) (3 x 2 − 6 y 2 ) dxdy
We have ∫∫ (∇ × v).ndA =
S
∫∫ −
S 2
dA = − ∫∫ −
S 2 (−1/ 2)

=
since dxdy = (n.k )dA. Therefore, substituting cos θ , y r sin θ , we obtain
x r=

4 0

∫∫ (∇ × v= ∫∫ (3x − 6 y )= ∫ ∫π (3cos θ − 6sin 2 θ )r 3 drdθ

2 2 2
).ndA dxdy
S R r =0 2

4 0 4 0
3 3
= ∫ ∫
2 0 2π
[(1 + cos 2θ ) − 2(1 − cos 2θ )]r 3 drd
=θ ∫ ∫
2 0 2π
(3cos 2θ − 1)r 3 drdθ

3  r 4  4  3sin 2θ  0
=    −θ  192π .
=
2  4 0 2  2π

=
The bounding curve C is given by x 2 + y 2 = 16, z = 4. Now setting cos θ , y 4sin θ ,
x 4=

4
 Stokes’s Theorem

∫ 2 y dx + x dy + zdz
= ∫ 2 y dx + x dy
3 3 3 3

C C
0
= ∫π 64[2sin θ (−4sin θ ) + cos3 θ (4 cos θ )]
3

2
We obtain 2π π /2
−256 ∫ [cos θ − 2sin θ ]dθ =
= 4
−1024 ∫ (cos 4 θ − 2sin 4 θ
4

0 0

3 1 π  3 1 π 
=
−1024  . . − 2  . .   =192π .
4 4 2  4 2 2 

Hence, the theorem is verified.

Suggested Readings

Courant, R. and John, F. (1989), Introduction to Calculus and Analysis, Vol. II, Springer-
Verlag, New York.

Jain, R.K. and Iyengar, S.R.K. (2002) Advanced Engineering Mathematics, Narosa
Publishing House, New Delhi.

Jordan, D.W. and Smith, P. (2002) Mathematical Techniques, Oxford University Press,
Oxford.

Kreyszig, E. (1999) Advanced Engineering Mathematics, John Wiley, New York.

Piskunov, N. (1974) Differentail and Integral Calculus, Vol. II, MIR Publishers, Moscow.

Wylie, C. R. and Barrett, L.C. (2003) Advanced Engineering Mathematics, Tata McGraw-
Hill, New Delhi.