Line integration

Define line integration: Let 𝑟⃗ = 𝐹⃗ (𝑆), where 𝑆 is the arc length measured from a fixed point be the
equation of the curve 𝐶 and let 𝐴 and 𝐵 be two points on the curve.

⃗⃗ be the unit tangent vector to the curve at a point. Then at that point on the curve
If 𝑇

𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑇
⃗⃗(= 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)

is the component of 𝐹⃗ in the direction of 𝑇

⃗⃗. Let us subdivide the arc from 𝐴 and 𝐵 into 𝑁 elements
of the length ∆𝑆 and form the sum

∑ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑇
⃗⃗ ∆𝑆

Now take the limit of this sum as 𝑁 → ∞, then the length ∆𝑆 → 0. This limit if it exists is called line
integration of the vector 𝐹⃗ along the curve 𝐶 from 𝐴 and 𝐵 and is written as

𝐵 𝑑𝑟⃗
lim ∑ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑇 ⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑆 = ∫ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑆 = ∫ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗
⃗⃗ ∆𝑆 = ∫ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑇
∆𝑆→0 𝐶
𝑑𝑆 𝐶
𝐴 𝑑𝑡

Since as the unit tangent

𝑑𝑟⃗ 𝑑𝑟⃗
⃗⃗ =
𝑇 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟⃗ 𝑑𝑆
| | 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡
Problem-6: If 𝐴⃗ = (3𝑥 2 + 6𝑦)𝑖̂ − 14𝑦𝑧𝑗̂ + 20𝑥𝑧 2 𝑘̂ , evaluate ∫𝐶 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ from (0,0,0) to (1,1,1)
along the following paths 𝐶:

(a) 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑡 2 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 .
(b) The straight lines from (0,0,0) to (1,0,0) then to (1,1,0) and then to (1,1,1).
(c) The straight line joining (0,0,0) to (1,1,1).

Solution: (a) If 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑡 2 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 , the points (0,0,0) to (1,1,1) corresponding to 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑡 =

1 respectively. Therefore,

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ ((3𝑥 2 + 6𝑦)𝑖̂ − 14𝑦𝑧𝑗̂ + 20𝑥𝑧 2 𝑘̂) ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂ + 𝑑𝑧𝑘̂)

𝐶 𝐶

= ∮ ((3𝑥 2 + 6𝑦)𝑑𝑥 − 14𝑦𝑧𝑑𝑦 + 20𝑥𝑧 2 𝑑𝑧)

𝐶

(1)

Now from Eq.(1)

𝑡=1

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ ((3𝑡 2 + 6𝑡 2 )𝑑𝑡 − 14(𝑡 2 )(𝑡 3 )𝑑(𝑡 2 ) + 20(𝑡)(𝑡 3 )2 𝑑(𝑡 3 ))

𝐶 𝑡=0

𝑡=1

= ∫ (9𝑡 2 − 28𝑡 6 + 60𝑡 9 )𝑑𝑡

𝑡=0

= [3𝑡 3 − 73𝑡 7 + 6𝑡10 ]10 = 5

(b) Along the straight line 𝑂𝐴, from (0,0,0) to (1,0,0), here 𝑥 varies from 0 to 1 and 𝑦 = 0, 𝑧 = 0.
So that, 𝑑𝑦 = 0 and 𝑑𝑧 = 0. Then the integral over this part of the path is

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ ((3𝑥 2 + 6(0))𝑑𝑥 − 14(0)(0)(0) + 20(𝑥)(0)2 (0))

𝑂𝐴 𝑥=0
 1

= ∫ 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 = [𝑥 3 ]10 = 1
𝑥=0

Along the straight line 𝐴𝐵, from (1,0,0) to (1,1,0), here 𝑦 varies from 0 to 1 and x= 1, 𝑧 = 0. So
that, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 and 𝑑𝑧 = 0. Then the integral over this part of the path is

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ ((3(1)2 + 6𝑦)0 − 14𝑦(0)𝑑𝑦 + 20(1)(0)2 0) = 0

𝐴𝐵 𝑦=0

Along the straight line 𝐵𝐶, from (1,1,0) to (1,1,1), here 𝑧 varies from 0 to 1 and x= 1, 𝑦 = 1. So
that, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 and 𝑑𝑦 = 0. Then the integral over this part of the path is

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫((3(1)2 + 6(1))0 − 14(1)(0)0 + 20(1)(𝑧)2 𝑑𝑧)

𝐵𝐶 𝑧=0

1 1
2
20𝑧3 20
= ∫ 20𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = [ ] =
3 0 3
𝑧=0

Adding

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ + ∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ + ∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗

𝐶 𝑂𝐴 𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶

20 23
= 1+0+ =
3 3
(c) The equation of the straight line joining the points (0,0,0) and 𝐶(1,1,1) is given by

𝑥−0 𝑦−0 𝑧−0

= =
0−1 0−1 0−1

𝑥 = 𝑦 = 𝑧 = 𝑡 (Say)

Therefore, the parametric equation is 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑡 and 𝑧 = 𝑡. Where 𝑡 varies from 0 to 1. Hence, Eq.
(1) gives

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫(3 𝑡 2 + 6𝑡) 𝑑𝑡 − 14(𝑡)(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 + 20(𝑡)(𝑡)2 𝑑𝑡

𝐶 𝑡=0

𝑡=1

= ∫ (3𝑡 2 + 6𝑡 − 14𝑡 2 + 20𝑡 3 )𝑑𝑡

𝑡=0

𝑡=1

= ∫ (6𝑡 − 11𝑡 2 + 20𝑡 3 )𝑑𝑡

𝑡=0

1
11𝑡 3
2
13
= [3𝑡 − + 5𝑡 4 ] =
3 0
3

Problem-7: Find the work done in moving a particle in a force field is given by 𝐹⃗ = 3𝑥𝑦𝑖̂ − 5𝑧𝑗̂ +
10𝑥𝑘̂ along the curve 𝑥 = 𝑡 2 + 1, 𝑦 = 2𝑡 2 , 𝑧 = 𝑡 3 from 𝑡 = 1 and 𝑡 = 2.

Solution:

The work =

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ (3𝑥𝑦𝑖̂ − 5𝑧𝑗̂ + 10𝑥𝑘̂) ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂ + 𝑑𝑧𝑘̂)

𝐶 𝐶

= ∮ (3𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 5𝑧𝑑𝑦 + 10𝑥𝑑𝑧)

𝐶

(1)

Now using the parametric equation in Eq.(1)

 𝑡=2

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ (3(𝑡 2 + 1)(2𝑡 2 )𝑑(𝑡 2 + 1) − 5(𝑡 3 )𝑑(2𝑡 2 ) + 10(𝑡 2 + 1)𝑑(𝑡 3 ))

𝐶 𝑡=1

= ∫(12𝑡 5 + 10𝑡 4 + 12𝑡 3 + 30𝑡 2 )𝑑𝑡

𝑡=1

= [6𝑡 6 + 2𝑡 5 + 3𝑡 4 + 10𝑡 3 ]12 = 303

Problem-8: If 𝐹⃗ = 3𝑥𝑦𝑖̂ − 𝑦 2 𝑗̂, evaluate ∮𝐶 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗, where 𝐶 is the curve in the 𝑥𝑦 plane, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 ,
from (0,0) to (1,2).

Solution: Since the integration performed in the 𝑥𝑦 plane (𝑧 = 0), 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ (3𝑥𝑦𝑖̂ − 𝑦 2 𝑗̂) ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂)

𝐶 𝐶

= ∮ (3𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦)
𝐶

(1)

Let us consider 𝑥 = 𝑡 in 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 . Then the parametric equation of 𝐶 are 𝑥 = 𝑡, 𝑦 = 2𝑡 2 . Points (0,0)

to (1,2) correspond to 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑡 = 1 respectively. Then

𝑡=1

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ (3(𝑡)(2𝑡 2 )𝑑𝑡 − (2𝑡 2 )2 𝑑(2𝑡 2 ))

𝐶 𝑡=0

1
7
= ∫(6𝑡 3 − 16𝑡 5 )𝑑𝑡 = −
6
𝑡=0

Another Method: Substitute 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 into Eq. (1), where 𝑥 varies from 0 to 1. Then

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫(3(𝑥)(2𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑥 − (2𝑥 2 )2 𝑑(2𝑥 2 ))

𝐶 𝑥=0
 1
7
= ∫(6𝑥 3 − 16𝑥 5 )𝑑𝑥 = −
6
𝑥=0

Problem-9: Find the work done in moving a particle once around a circle 𝐶 in the 𝑥𝑦 plane, if the
circle has centre at the origin and the radius 3 and if the force field is given by 𝐹⃗ = (2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧)𝑖̂ +
(𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 2 )𝑗̂ + (3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 4𝑧)𝑘̂.

Solution: In the 𝑥𝑦 plane, 𝑧 = 0, therefore the force field is 𝐹⃗ = (2𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑖̂ + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑗̂ + (3𝑥 −
2𝑦)𝑘̂ and 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂. So that, the work done is

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ [(2𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑖̂ + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑗̂ + (3𝑥 − 2𝑦)𝑘̂] ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂)

𝐶 𝐶

= ∮ [(2𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑦]

𝐶

(1)

Choose the parametric equation of the circle as 𝑥 = 3 cos 𝜃 and 𝑦 = 3 sin 𝜃, 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋. Therefore
from Eq. (1)

2𝜋

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ [(2 ∙ 3 cos 𝜃 − 3 sin 𝜃)(−3 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃) + (3 ∙ cos 𝜃 + 3 ∙ sin 𝜃)(3 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃)]
𝐶 0
 2𝜋

= ∫ [9 − 9 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃]𝑑𝜃

0

2𝜋

= 16 ∫ [8𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 sin 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + sin 𝜃]𝑑𝜃

0

2𝜋
9𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
= [9𝜃 − ] = 18𝜋
2 0

Exercise-39: If 𝐹⃗ = (2𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑖̂ + (3𝑦 − 𝑥)𝑗̂, evaluate ∮𝐶 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗, where 𝐶 is the curve in the 𝑥𝑦 plane
consisting of the straight lines from (0,0) to (2,1) and then to (3,2).

Solution: Since the integration performed in the 𝑥𝑦 plane (𝑧 = 0), 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂.

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ ((2𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑖̂ + (3𝑦 − 𝑥)𝑗̂) ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂)

𝐶 𝐶

= ∮ ((2𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (3𝑦 − 𝑥)𝑑𝑦)

𝐶

(1)

Figure-3
From Figure-3, we observed that the curve 𝐶 in the 𝑥𝑦 plane consisting of the straight lines from
𝑂(0,0) to 𝐴(2,1) and then to 𝐵(3,2). Therefore from Eq. (1)

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ + ∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗

𝐶 𝑂𝐴 𝐴𝐵

(2)

Along the straight line 𝑂𝐴, the equation of the straight line joining the points from (0,0) to (2,0)
here 𝑥 varies from 0 to 2 and 𝑦 = 0. So that, 𝑑𝑦 = 0. Then the integral over this part of the path is

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫((2𝑥 + 0)𝑑𝑥 + (3(0) − 𝑥)0)

𝑂𝐴 𝑥=0

= ∫ 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = [𝑥 2 ]20 = 4
𝑥=0

Along the straight line 𝐴𝐵, the equation of the straight line joining the points from (2,0) to (3,2) is

𝑥−2 𝑦−0
=
2−3 0−2

𝑥−2 𝑦
= =
−1 −2

𝑥−2 𝑦
= =𝑡
1 2

Therefore, 𝑥 = 𝑡 + 2, 𝑦 = 2𝑡. Where 𝑡 varies from 0 to 1.

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗
𝐴𝐵

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫{(2(𝑡 + 2) + (2𝑡))𝑑𝑡 + (3(2𝑡) − (𝑡 + 2))(2𝑑𝑡)}

𝐴𝐵 𝑡=0
 1

= ∫{2𝑡 + 4 + 2𝑡 + 12𝑡 − 2𝑡 − 4} 𝑑𝑡
0

= ∫{14𝑡} 𝑑𝑡
0

= [7𝑡 2 𝑡]10 = 7

Therefore

∮ 𝐴⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 4 + 7 = 11
𝐶

Exercise-43: If 𝐹⃗ = (2𝑥 + 𝑦 2 )𝑖̂ + (3𝑦 − 4𝑥)𝑗̂, evaluate ∮𝐶 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗, where 𝐶 of Figure 4 (a) in the
indicated direction (b) opposite to the indicated direction.

Figure-4

Solution: Since the integration performed in the 𝑥𝑦 plane (𝑧 = 0), 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂.

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ ((2𝑥 + 𝑦 2 )𝑖̂ + (3𝑦 − 4𝑥)𝑗̂) ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂)

𝐶 𝐶
 = ∮ ((2𝑥 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥 + (3𝑦 − 4𝑥)𝑑𝑦)
𝐶

(1)

From Figure-4, we observed that the curve 𝐶 in the 𝑥𝑦 plane consisting of the straight lines from
(0,0) to (2,0) then to (2,1) and then to (0,0).

Along the straight line from (0,0) to (2,0), here 𝑥 varies from 0 to 2 and 𝑦 = 0. So that, 𝑑𝑦 = 0.
Then the integral over this part of the path is

∮ 𝐹 ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫((2𝑥 + 0)𝑑𝑥 + (3(0) − 4(𝑥))0)

𝑂𝐴 𝑥=0

= ∫ 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = [𝑥 2 ]20 = 4
𝑥=0

Along the straight line from (2,0) to (2,1), here 𝑦 varies from 0 to 1 and 𝑥 = 2. So that, 𝑑𝑥 = 0.
Then the integral over this part of the path is

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ ((2(2) + 𝑦 2 )0 + (3(𝑦) − 4(2))𝑑𝑦)

𝐴𝐵 𝑦=0

1 1
3𝑦 2 3 13
= ∫ (3𝑦 − 8) 𝑑𝑦 = [ − 8𝑦] = − 8 = −
2 0
2 2
𝑦=0

Along the straight line from (2,1) to (0,0), the equation of the straight line joining these points from
(2,1) to (0,0)

𝑥−2 𝑦−1
=
2−0 1−0
 𝑥−2 𝑦−1
= =𝑡
2 1

Therefore, 𝑥 = 2𝑡 + 2, 𝑦 = 𝑡 + 1. Where 𝑡 varies from 0 to −1.

−1

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∫ {(2(2𝑡 + 2) + (𝑡 + 1)2 )(2𝑑𝑡) + (3(𝑡 + 1) − 4(2𝑡 + 2))(𝑑𝑡)}

𝐵𝑂 𝑡=0

−1

= ∫ {(4𝑡 + 4 + 𝑡 2 + 2𝑡 + 1)(2𝑑𝑡) + (3𝑡 + 3 − 8𝑡 − 8)(𝑑𝑡)}

𝑡=0

−1

= ∫ {(𝑡 2 + 6𝑡 + 5)(2𝑑𝑡) + (−5𝑡 − 5)} 𝑑𝑡

𝑡=0

−1

= ∫ {(2𝑡 2 + 12𝑡 + 10 − 5𝑡 − 5)} 𝑑𝑡

𝑡=0

−1

= ∫ {(2𝑡 2 + 7𝑡 + 5)} 𝑑𝑡
𝑡=0

−1
2𝑡 3 7𝑡 2 2 7 13
=[ + + 5𝑡] = − + − 5 = −
3 2 0
3 2 6

Therefore

13 13 14
∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 4 − − =−
2 6 3
𝐶

(b) Similarly, opposite to the indicated direction

14 14
∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = − (− )=
3 3
𝐶
Exercise-44: If 𝐹⃗ = (𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑖̂ + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑗̂, evaluate ∮𝐶 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗, where 𝐶 is the closed curve of Figure
5 in the indicated direction.

Figure-5

Solution: we have

∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = ∮ [(𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑖̂ + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑗̂] ∙ (𝑑𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗̂ + 𝑑𝑧𝑘̂)

𝐶 𝐶

= ∮ [(𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑑𝑦]

𝐶

(1)

The equations of the curves 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 intersect at (0,0) and (1,1). The positive direction
in traversing C is as shown in the adjacent Figure-5.

Along 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , the line integral equals

 1

∫[(𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 + 𝑥 2 )2𝑥𝑑𝑥]

0
1

= ∫[2𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ] 𝑑𝑥
0
1

= ∫[2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥] 𝑑𝑥
0
1
2𝑥 4 𝑥 3 𝑥 2 2 1 1 4
=[ + + ] =[ + + ]=
4 3 2 𝑥=0 4 3 2 3

Along 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 from (0,0) to (1,1) the line integral equals

0
1
∫ [(𝑥 − √𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 + √𝑥) 𝑑𝑥]
2√𝑥
𝑥=1
0
√𝑥 1
= ∫ [𝑥 − √𝑥 + + ] 𝑑𝑥
2 2
𝑥=1
0
√𝑥 1
= ∫ [𝑥 − + ] 𝑑𝑥
2 2
𝑥=1
0
𝑥 2 2𝑥 3/2 𝑥 1 1 1 2
=[ − + ] = [− + − ] = −
2 6 2 𝑥=1 2 3 2 3

Then the required line integral

4 2 2
∮ 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟⃗ = − =
3 3 3
𝐶