MATH 550
Professor Girardi
Comments on Problem 8 from Section 7.6.



The solution to this problem in the Study Guide For Vector Calculus (4th edition) is correct except for the following errors.

Part (a) is correct.

Part (b):
The integral that they set up for the volume is fine but their integation is NOT fine. If you do the integration correctly, you see that the volume is 3pi R^4/2. This is always larger than piR^4/2 though.

Part (c):
By Gauss's Theorem we see easily that the flux is -60piR^4k, so we know their solution is wrong. Thier mistake: on the side that makes contact with the mountain, (T_r cross T_t) dot k should be -r, but they have r. So the flux out this part should be 84 pi R^4k and not -84 pi R^4k. So the total flux is then -60piR^4k.



Please direct all inquiries about this page to girardi@math.sc.edu
Findable from URL: http://www.math.sc.edu/~girardi/