Fundamental

theorem for
Line integrals

Dr. Hina Dutt

[email protected]
SEECS-NUST
 Thomas’
• Chapter: 16
Calculus (14th
• Sections: 16.3
Edition)

Calculus Early
Transcendentals • Chapter: 16
(8th Edition) By • Section: 16.3
James Stewart
Introduction
A gravitational field 𝐆 is a vector field that represents the effect of
gravity at a point in space due to the presence of a massive object.
The gravitational force on a body of mass 𝑚 placed in the field is
given by 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐆.

Similarly, an electric field 𝐄 is a vector field in space that represents

the effect of electric forces on a charged particle placed within it.
The force on a body of charge 𝑞 placed in the field is given by
𝐅 = 𝑞𝐄.
Introduction
In gravitational and electric fields, the amount of work it takes to
move a mass or charge from one point to another depends on the
initial and final positions of the object—not on which path is
taken between these positions.

In this section we study vector fields with this independence-of

path property and the calculation of work integrals associated
with them.
Introduction
Recall that the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus can be
written as
𝑏

න 𝐹′(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝐹 𝑏 − 𝐹 𝑎 (1)
𝑎
where 𝐹′ is continuous on [𝑎, 𝑏].

We also called Equation (1) the Net Change Theorem: The

integral of a rate of change is the net change.
Introduction
Suppose we think of the gradient vector ∇𝑓 of a function
𝑓 of two or three variables as a sort of derivative of 𝑓,
then the next theorem can be regarded as a version of
the Fundamental Theorem for line integrals.
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FT) for Line
Integrals Theorem 2
Let 𝐶 be a smooth curve given by the vector function 𝐫 t , 𝑎 < 𝑡 < 𝑏.
Let 𝑓 be a differentiable function of two or three variables whose
gradient vector ∇𝑓 is continuous on 𝐶. Then

න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = 𝑓 𝐫(𝑏) − 𝑓 𝐫 𝑎 (2)

𝐶

The theorem 2 says that we can evaluate the line integral of a conservative
vector field (the gradient vector field of the potential function 𝑓) simply by
knowing the value of 𝑓 at the endpoints of 𝐶.
In fact, Theorem says that the line integral of ∇𝑓 is the net change in 𝑓.
Note
If 𝑓 is a function of two variables and 𝐶 is a
plane curve with initial point 𝐴 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and
terminal point B 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , as in Figure, then
Theorem becomes

න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = 𝑓 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 − 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑦1
𝐶
Note
If 𝑓 is a function of three variables and 𝐶 is
a space curve with initial point 𝐴 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1
and terminal point B 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 , as in
Figure, then Theorem becomes

න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = 𝑓 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 − 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1
𝐶
FT for Line Integrals
Proof:
f ( r ( t ) )  r ' ( t ) dt
b
C
 f  dr = 
a

 f dx f dy f dz 
b
=  + +  dt
a
 x dt y dt z dt 

f ( r ( t ) ) dt = f ( r ( b ) ) − f ( r ( a ) )
b d
=
a dt

Although we have proved Theorem for smooth curves, it is also true for
piecewise smooth curves. This can be seen by subdividing 𝐶 into a finite
number of smooth curves and adding the resulting integrals.
Example
Find the work done by the gravitational field
𝑚𝑀𝐺
𝐅 𝐱 =− 3
𝐱
𝐱
in moving a particle with mass 𝑚 from the point (3, 4, 12) to
the point (2, 2, 0) along a piecewise-smooth curve 𝐶.
Conservative Vector Field
න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = 𝑓 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 − 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ,
𝐶

Suppose 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 are two piecewise-smooth curves (which are called paths)
that have the same initial point 𝐴 and terminal point 𝐵. We know that, in general

න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 ≠ න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 .
𝐶1 𝐶2
But one implication of FT is that whenever ∇𝑓 is continuous, we have

න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 .
𝐶1 𝐶2
Conservative Vector Field
න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = 𝑓 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 − 𝑓 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ,
𝐶

In other words, the line integral of

a conservative vector field
depends only on the initial point
and terminal point of a curve.
Independence of Path
In general, if 𝐅 is a continuous vector field with domain 𝐷, we say
that the line integral ‫𝑓∇ 𝐶׬‬. 𝑑𝐫 is independent of path if

න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫
𝐶1 𝐶2
for any two paths 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 in 𝐷 that have the same initial points
and the same terminal points.
Independence of Path
With this terminology we can say that

Line integrals of conservative vector

fields are independent of path.
Closed and Simple Curves
A curve is called closed curve if its
terminal point coincides with its initial
point, that is, 𝐫 𝑎 = 𝐫(𝑏).

A curve is called simple curve that doesn’t

intersect itself anywhere between its
endpoints.
Independence of Path Theorem 3

‫𝑓∇ 𝐶׬‬. 𝑑𝐫 is independent of path if in 𝐷 if and only if

න ∇𝑓. 𝑑𝐫 = 0
𝐶
for every closed path 𝐶 in 𝐷.
Physical Interpretation

The physical interpretation of Theorem 3 is that the work done by a

conservative force field (such as the gravitational or electric field) as
it moves an object around a closed path is 0.
Simply-Connected Region

A simply-connected region in the

plane is a connected region 𝐷 such
that every simple closed curve in 𝐷
encloses only points that are in 𝐷.

Notice from Figure that, intuitively

speaking, a simply-connected region
contains no hole and can’t consist of two
separate pieces.
Simply Connected Domain
Not Simply Connected Domain (Multiply
Connected Domain)
Conservative Vector Field Theorem 4

Suppose 𝐅 is a vector field that is continuous on an open connected

region 𝐷. If ‫𝑓∇ 𝐶׬‬. 𝑑𝐫 is independent of path in 𝐷, then 𝐅 is a
conservative vector field on 𝐷; that is, there exists a function 𝑓 such
that ∇𝑓 = 𝐹.
How is it possible to determine whether
or not a vector field is conservative?
Test for Conservative Vector Field (Planes)
Let 𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝐢 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝐣 is a conservative vector field,
where 𝑀 and 𝑁 have continuous first-order partial derivatives
on a domain 𝐷, then throughout 𝐷 we have
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁
= (∗)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
Conversely, if 𝐷 is simply connected and (∗) holds at each point
in 𝐷, then 𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦 𝐢 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦 𝐣 is conservative.
Test for Conservative Vector Field (Space)
Let 𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐢 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐣 + 𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐤 is a conservative
vector field where 𝑀, 𝑁 and 𝑃 have continuous first-order partial derivatives
in domain 𝐷, then
𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑀 𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑁 𝜕𝑃
= , = , = , (∗∗)
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
i.e. curl 𝐅 = 𝟎.
Conversely, a vector field 𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐢 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐣 + 𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐤
satisfying these conditions on an open simply-connected region 𝐷 and 𝑀, 𝑁
and 𝑃 have continuous first partial derivatives in 𝐷, then 𝐅 is conservative.
Conservative Vector Field
Let 𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑀 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐢 + 𝑁 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐣 + 𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐤 have
continuous first-order partial derivatives in an open connected
region 𝐷 and let 𝐶 be a piecewise smooth curve in 𝐷, then the
following statements are equivalent (all true or all false):
1. 𝐅 is a conservative vector field i.e., 𝐅 = ∇𝑓, for some function 𝑓.
2. ‫𝐅 𝐶׬‬. 𝑑𝐫 is independent of path.
3. ‫𝐅 𝐶׬‬. 𝑑𝐫 = 0, for every closed curve 𝐶 in 𝐷.
4. Conditions (∗∗) hold.
Example
Determine whether or not the vector field
𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 𝑦 𝐢 + 𝑥 − 2 𝐣
is conservative.
Example
Determine whether or not the vector field
𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦 = 3 + 2𝑥𝑦 𝐢 + 𝑥 2 − 3𝑦 2 𝐣
is conservative.
Example
Determine whether or not the following vector fields are
conservative:
i. 𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑧 2 𝐢 + 𝑒 −𝑦 𝐣 + 2𝑥𝑧 𝐤
ii. 𝐅 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑥𝑦𝐢 + 𝑥 2 𝐣 + sin 𝑧 𝐤
Example
Show that the vector field
𝑦 𝑥
𝐅= − 2 2
𝐢+ 2 2
𝐣 + 0𝐤
𝑥 +𝑦 𝑥 +𝑦
satisfies the equations in the Component Test, but is not
conservative over its natural domain. Explain why this is possible.
Example
Example
Exact Differential Forms
It is often convenient to express work and circulation integrals in the differential
𝑏
form‫ 𝑥𝑑𝑀 𝑎׬‬+ 𝑁𝑑𝑦 + 𝑃𝑑𝑧.
Such line integrals are relatively easy to evaluate if 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝑁𝑑𝑦 + 𝑃𝑑𝑧 is the total
differential of a function 𝑓 and 𝐶 is any path joining the two points from 𝐴 to B. For
then
Differential Form
Test for Exactness
Example
Show that 𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑦 + 4𝑑𝑧 is exact and evaluate the integral
(2,3,−1)

න 𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑑𝑦 + 4𝑧
(1,1,1)
over any path from 1, 1, 1 to (2, 3, −1)
Example
 Thomas’
• Chapter: 16
Calculus (14th • Sections: 16.3 Questions: 1-32
Edition)

Calculus Early
Transcendentals • Chapter: 16
(8th Edition) By • Section: 16.3 Questions: 3-20
James Stewart