Let V be a bounded region of R3 and S be its boundary. Let ϕ be the unique solution to ∇2ϕ=0 in V, with ϕ=f(x) on S, where f is a given function. Consider any smooth function w also equal to f(x) on S. Show, by using Green's first theorem or otherwise, that
∫V∣∇w∣2dV⩾∫V∣∇ϕ∣2dV
[Hint: Set w=ϕ+δ.]
Consider the partial differential equation
∂t∂w=∇2w
for w(t,x), with initial condition w(0,x)=w0(x) in V, and boundary condition w(t,x)= f(x) on S for all t⩾0. Show that
∂t∂∫V∣∇w∣2dV⩽0
with equality holding only when w(t,x)=ϕ(x).
Show that (∗) remains true with the boundary condition
∂t∂w+α(x)∂n∂w=0
on S, provided α(x)⩾0.
3/II/10A Vector Calculus
Write down Stokes' theorem for a vector field B(x) on R3.
Consider the bounded surface S defined by
z=x2+y2,41⩽z⩽1
Sketch the surface and calculate the surface element dS. For the vector field
B=(−y3,x3,z3)
calculate I=∫S(∇×B)⋅dS directly.
Show using Stokes' theorem that I may be rewritten as a line integral and verify this yields the same result.