9.6: Surface Integrals

We have seen that a line integral is an integral over a path in a plane or in space. However, if we wish to integrate over a surface (a two-dimensional object) rather than a path (a one-dimensional object) in space, then we need a new kind of integral that can handle integration over objects in higher dimensions. We can extend the concept of a line integral to a surface integral to allow us to perform this integration.

Surface integrals are important for the same reasons that line integrals are important. They have many applications to physics and engineering, and they allow us to develop higher dimensional versions of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. In particular, surface integrals allow us to generalize Green’s theorem to higher dimensions, and they appear in some important theorems we discuss in later sections.

Parametric Surfaces

A surface integral is similar to a line integral, except the integration is done over a surface rather than a path. In this sense, surface integrals expand on our study of line integrals. Just as with line integrals, there are two kinds of surface integrals: a surface integral of a scalar-valued function and a surface integral of a vector field.

However, before we can integrate over a surface, we need to consider the surface itself. Recall that to calculate a scalar or vector line integral over curve $C$, we first need to parameterize $C$. In a similar way, to calculate a surface integral over surface $S$, we need to parameterize $S$. That is, we need a working concept of a parameterized surface (or a parametric surface), in the same way that we already have a concept of a parameterized curve.

A parameterized surface is given by a description of the form

$$\vecs{r}(u,v) = \langle x (u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v)\rangle.$$

Notice that this parameterization involves two parameters, $u$ and $v$, because a surface is two-dimensional, and therefore two variables are needed to trace out the surface. The parameters $u$ and $v$ vary over a region called the parameter domain, or parameter space—the set of points in the $uv$-plane that can be substituted into $\vecs r$. Each choice of $u$ and $v$ in the parameter domain gives a point on the surface, just as each choice of a parameter $t$ gives a point on a parameterized curve. The entire surface is created by making all possible choices of $u$ and $v$ over the parameter domain.

Definition: Parameter Domain

Given a parameterization of surface

$$\vecs{r}(u,v) = \langle x (u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v)\rangle.$$

the parameter domain of the parameterization is the set of points in the $uv$-plane that can be substituted into $\vecs r$.

Example $\PageIndex{1}$: Parameterizing a Cylinder

Describe surface $S$ parameterized by

$$\vecs{r}(u,v) = \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, -\infty < u < \infty, \, -\infty < v < \infty. \nonumber$$

Solution

To get an idea of the shape of the surface, we first plot some points. Since the parameter domain is all of $\mathbb{R}^2$, we can choose any value for u and v and plot the corresponding point. If $u = v = 0$, then $\vecs r(0,0) = \langle 1,0,0 \rangle$, so point (1, 0, 0) is on $S$. Similarly, points $\vecs r(\pi, 2) = (-1,0,2)$ and $\vecs r \left(\dfrac{\pi}{2}, 4\right) = (0,1,4)$ are on $S$.

Although plotting points may give us an idea of the shape of the surface, we usually need quite a few points to see the shape. Since it is time-consuming to plot dozens or hundreds of points, we use another strategy. To visualize $S$, we visualize two families of curves that lie on $S$. In the first family of curves we hold $u$ constant; in the second family of curves we hold $v$ constant. This allows us to build a “skeleton” of the surface, thereby getting an idea of its shape.

• Suppose that $u$ is a constant $K$. Then the curve traced out by the parameterization is $\langle \cos K, \, \sin K, \, v \rangle$, which gives a vertical line that goes through point $(\cos K, \sin K, v \rangle$ in the $xy$-plane.
• Suppose that $v$ is a constant $K$. Then the curve traced out by the parameterization is $\langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, K \rangle$, which gives a circle in plane $z = K$ with radius 1 and center $(0, 0, K)$.

If $u$ is held constant, then we get vertical lines; if $v$ is held constant, then we get circles of radius 1 centered around the vertical line that goes through the origin. Therefore the surface traced out by the parameterization is cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1$ (Figure $\PageIndex{1}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{1}$: (a) Lines $\langle \cos K, \, \sin K, v \rangle$ for $K = 0, \, \dfrac{\pi}{2}, \, \pi$, and $\dfrac{3\pi}{2}$. (b) Circles $\langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, K \rangle$ for $K = -2, -1, 1,$ and $2$ (c) The lines and circles together. As $u$ and $v$ vary, they describe a cylinder.

Notice that if $x = \cos u$ and $y = \sin u$, then $x^2 + y^2 = 1$, so points from S do indeed lie on the cylinder. Conversely, each point on the cylinder is contained in some circle $\langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, k \rangle$ for some $k$, and therefore each point on the cylinder is contained in the parameterized surface (Figure $\PageIndex{2}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{2}$: Cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$ has parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle r \, \cos u, \, r \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 2\pi, \, -\infty < v < \infty$.

Analysis

Notice that if we change the parameter domain, we could get a different surface. For example, if we restricted the domain to $0 \leq u \leq \pi, \, -\infty < v < 6$, then the surface would be a half-cylinder of height 6.

Exercise $\PageIndex{1}$

Describe the surface with parameterization

$$\vecs{r} (u,v) = \langle 2 \, \cos u, \, 2 \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 2\pi, \, -\infty < v < \infty \nonumber$$

Hint

Hold $u$ and $v$ constant, and see what kind of curves result.

Answer

Cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 4$

It follows from Example $\PageIndex{1}$ that we can parameterize all cylinders of the form $x^2 + y^2 = R^2$. If S is a cylinder given by equation $x^2 + y^2 = R^2$, then a parameterization of $S$ is $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle R \, \cos u, \, R \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 2 \pi, \, -\infty < v < \infty.$

We can also find different types of surfaces given their parameterization, or we can find a parameterization when we are given a surface.

Example $\PageIndex{2}$: Describing a Surface

Describe surface $S$ parameterized by $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u \, \cos v, \, u \, \sin v, \, u^2 \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < \infty, \, 0 \leq v < 2\pi$.

Solution

Notice that if $u$ is held constant, then the resulting curve is a circle of radius $u$ in plane $z = u$. Therefore, as $u$ increases, the radius of the resulting circle increases. If $v$ is held constant, then the resulting curve is a vertical parabola. Therefore, we expect the surface to be an elliptic paraboloid. To confirm this, notice that

$$\begin{align*} x^2 + y^2 &= (u \, \cos v)^2 + (u \, \sin v)^2 \\[4pt] &= u^2 \cos^2 v + u^2 sin^2 v \\[4pt] &= u^2 \\[4pt] &=z\end{align*}$$

Therefore, the surface is the elliptic paraboloid $x^2 + y^2 = z$ (Figure $\PageIndex{3}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{3}$: (a) Circles arise from holding $u$ constant; the vertical parabolas arise from holding $v$ constant. (b) An elliptic paraboloid results from all choices of $u$ and $v$ in the parameter domain.

Exercise $\PageIndex{2}$

Describe the surface parameterized by $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u \, \cos v, \, u \, \sin v, \, u \rangle, \, - \infty < u < \infty, \, 0 \leq v < 2\pi$.

Hint

Hold $u$ constant and see what kind of curves result. Imagine what happens as $u$ increases or decreases.

Answer

Cone $x^2 + y^2 = z^2$

Example $\PageIndex{3}$: Finding a Parameterization

Give a parameterization of the cone $x^2 + y^2 = z^2$ lying on or above the plane $z = -2$.

Solution

The horizontal cross-section of the cone at height $z = u$ is circle $x^2 + y^2 = u^2$. Therefore, a point on the cone at height $u$ has coordinates $(u \, \cos v, \, u \, \sin v, \, u)$ for angle $v$. Hence, a parameterization of the cone is $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u \, \cos v, \, u \, \sin v, \, u \rangle$. Since we are not interested in the entire cone, only the portion on or above plane $z = -2$, the parameter domain is given by $-2 < u < \infty, \, 0 \leq v < 2\pi$ (Figure $\PageIndex{4}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{4}$: Cone $x^2 + y^2 = z^2$ has parametrization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u \, \cos v, \, u \, \sin v \rangle , \, - \infty < u < \infty, \, 0 \leq v \leq 2\pi$.

Exercise $\PageIndex{3}$

Give a parameterization for the portion of cone $x^2 + y^2 = z^2$ lying in the first octant.

Hint

Consider the parameter domain for this surface.

Answer

$\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u \, \cos v, \, u \, \sin v, \, u \rangle, \, 0 < u < \infty, \, 0 \leq v < \dfrac{\pi}{2}$

We have discussed parameterizations of various surfaces, but two important types of surfaces need a separate discussion: spheres and graphs of two-variable functions. To parameterize a sphere, it is easiest to use spherical coordinates. The sphere of radius $\rho$ centered at the origin is given by the parameterization

$\vecs r(\phi,\theta) = \langle \rho \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, \rho \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, \rho \, \cos \phi \rangle, \, 0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi, \, 0 \leq \phi \leq \pi.$

The idea of this parameterization is that as $\phi$ sweeps downward from the positive $z$-axis, a circle of radius $\rho \, \sin \phi$ is traced out by letting $\theta$ run from 0 to $2\pi$. To see this, let $\phi$ be fixed. Then

$$\begin{align*} x^2 + y^2 &= (\rho \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi)^2 + (\rho \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi)^2 \\[4pt] &= \rho^2 \sin^2 \phi (\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta) \\[4pt] &= \rho^2 \, \sin^2 \phi \\[4pt] &= (\rho \, \sin \phi)^2. \end{align*}$$

This results in the desired circle (Figure $\PageIndex{5}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{5}$: The sphere of radius $\rho$ has parameterization $\vecs r(\phi, \theta) = \langle \rho \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, \rho \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, \rho \, \cos \phi \rangle, \, 0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi, \, 0 \leq \phi \leq \pi.$

Finally, to parameterize the graph of a two-variable function, we first let $z = f(x,y)$ be a function of two variables. The simplest parameterization of the graph of $f$ is $\vecs r(x,y) = \langle x,y,f(x,y) \rangle$, where $x$ and $y$ vary over the domain of $f$ (Figure $\PageIndex{6}$). For example, the graph of $f(x,y) = x^2 y$ can be parameterized by $\vecs r(x,y) = \langle x,y,x^2y \rangle$, where the parameters $x$ and $y$ vary over the domain of $f$. If we only care about a piece of the graph of $f$ - say, the piece of the graph over rectangle $[ 1,3] \times [2,5]$ - then we can restrict the parameter domain to give this piece of the surface:

$$\vecs r(x,y) = \langle x,y,x^2y \rangle, \, 1 \leq x \leq 3, \, 2 \leq y \leq 5.$$

Similarly, if $S$ is a surface given by equation $x = g(y,z)$ or equation $y = h(x,z)$, then a parameterization of $S$ is $\vecs r(y,z) = \langle g(y,z), \, y,z\rangle$ or $\vecs r(x,z) = \langle x,h(x,z), z\rangle$, respectively. For example, the graph of paraboloid $2y = x^2 + z^2$ can be parameterized by $\vecs r(x,y) = \left\langle x, \dfrac{x^2+z^2}{2}, z \right\rangle, \, 0 \leq x < \infty, \, 0 \leq z < \infty$. Notice that we do not need to vary over the entire domain of $y$ because $x$ and $z$ are squared.

Figure $\PageIndex{6}$: The simplest parameterization of the graph of a function is $\vecs r(x,y) = \langle x,y,f(x,y)\rangle$.

Let’s now generalize the notions of smoothness and regularity to a parametric surface. Recall that curve parameterization $\vecs r(t), \, a \leq t \leq b$ is regular (or smooth) if $\vecs r'(t) \neq \vecs 0$ for all $t$ in $[a,b]$. For a curve, this condition ensures that the image of $\vecs r$ really is a curve, and not just a point. For example, consider curve parameterization $\vecs r(t) = \langle 1,2\rangle, \, 0 \leq t \leq 5$. The image of this parameterization is simply point $(1,2)$, which is not a curve. Notice also that $\vecs r'(t) = \vecs 0$. The fact that the derivative is the zero vector indicates we are not actually looking at a curve.

Analogously, we would like a notion of regularity (or smoothness) for surfaces so that a surface parameterization really does trace out a surface. To motivate the definition of regularity of a surface parameterization, consider the parameterization

$$\vecs r(u,v) = \langle 0, \, \cos v, \, 1 \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 1, \, 0 \leq v \leq \pi.$$

Although this parameterization appears to be the parameterization of a surface, notice that the image is actually a line (Figure $\PageIndex{7}$). How could we avoid parameterizations such as this? Parameterizations that do not give an actual surface? Notice that $\vecs r_u = \langle 0,0,0 \rangle$ and $\vecs r_v = \langle 0, -\sin v, 0\rangle$, and the corresponding cross product is zero. The analog of the condition $\vecs r'(t) = \vecs 0$ is that $\vecs r_u \times \vecs r_v$ is not zero for point $(u,v)$ in the parameter domain, which is a regular parameterization.

Figure $\PageIndex{7}$: The image of parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle 0, \cos v, 1 \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 1, \, 0 \leq v \leq \pi$ is a line.

DEFINITION: regular parameterization

Parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v) \rangle$ is a regular parameterization if $\vecs r_u \times \vecs r_v$ is not zero for point $(u,v)$ in the parameter domain.

If parameterization $\vec{r}$ is regular, then the image of $\vec{r}$ is a two-dimensional object, as a surface should be. Throughout this chapter, parameterizations $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v) \rangle$are assumed to be regular.

Recall that curve parameterization $\vecs r(t), \, a \leq t \leq b$ is smooth if $\vecs r'(t)$ is continuous and $\vecs r'(t) \neq \vecs 0$ for all $t$ in $[a,b]$. Informally, a curve parameterization is smooth if the resulting curve has no sharp corners. The definition of a smooth surface parameterization is similar. Informally, a surface parameterization is smooth if the resulting surface has no sharp corners.

DEFINITION: Smooth Surfaces

A surface parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v) \rangle$ is smooth if vector $\vecs r_u \times \vecs r_v$ is not zero for any choice of $u$ and $v$ in the parameter domain.

A surface may also be piecewise smooth if it has smooth faces but also has locations where the directional derivatives do not exist.

Example $\PageIndex{4}$: Identifying Smooth and Nonsmooth Surfaces

Which of the figures in Figure $\PageIndex{8}$ is smooth?

Figure $\PageIndex{8}$: (a) This surface is smooth. (b) This surface is piecewise smooth.

Solution

The surface in Figure $\PageIndex{8a}$ can be parameterized by

$$\vecs r(u,v) = \langle (2 + \cos v) \cos u, \, (2 + \cos v) \sin u, \, \sin v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < 2\pi, \, 0 \leq v < 2\pi \nonumber$$

(we can use technology to verify). Notice that vectors

$$\vecs r_u = \langle - (2 + \cos v)\sin u, \, (2 + \cos v) \cos u, 0 \rangle \nonumber$$

and

$$\vecs r_v = \langle -\sin v \, \cos u, \, - \sin v \, \sin u, \, \cos v \rangle \nonumber$$

exist for any choice of $u$ and $v$ in the parameter domain, and

$$\begin{align*} \vecs r_u \times \vecs r_v &= \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{\hat{i}}& \mathbf{\hat{j}}& \mathbf{\hat{k}} \\ -(2 + \cos v)\sin u & (2 + \cos v)\cos u & 0\\ -\sin v \, \cos u & - \sin v \, \sin u & \cos v \end{vmatrix} \\[4pt] &= [(2 + \cos v)\cos u \, \cos v] \mathbf{\hat{i}} + [2 + \cos v) \sin u \, \cos v] \mathbf{\hat{j}} + [(2 + \cos v)\sin v \, \sin^2 u + (2 + \cos v) \sin v \, \cos^2 u]\mathbf{\hat{k}} \\[4pt] &= [(2 + \cos v)\cos u \, \cos v] \mathbf{\hat{i}} + [(2 + \cos v) \sin u \, \cos v]\mathbf{\hat{j}} + [(2 + \cos v)\sin v ] \mathbf{\hat{k}}. \end{align*}$$

The $\mathbf{\hat{k}}$ component of this vector is zero only if $v = 0$ or $v = \pi$. If $v = 0$ or $v = \pi$, then the only choices for $u$ that make the $\mathbf{\hat{j}}$ component zero are $u = 0$ or $u = \pi$. But, these choices of $u$ do not make the $\mathbf{\hat{i}}$ component zero. Therefore, $\vecs r_u \times \vecs r_v$ is not zero for any choice of $u$ and $v$ in the parameter domain, and the parameterization is smooth. Notice that the corresponding surface has no sharp corners.

In the pyramid in Figure $\PageIndex{8b}$, the sharpness of the corners ensures that directional derivatives do not exist at those locations. Therefore, the pyramid has no smooth parameterization. However, the pyramid consists of four smooth faces, and thus this surface is piecewise smooth.

Exercise $\PageIndex{4}$

Is the surface parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u^{2v}, v + 1, \, \sin u \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 2, \, 0 \leq v \leq 3$ smooth?

Hint

Investigate the cross product $\vecs r_u \times \vecs r_v$.

Answer

Yes

Surface Area of a Parametric Surface

Our goal is to define a surface integral, and as a first step we have examined how to parameterize a surface. The second step is to define the surface area of a parametric surface. The notation needed to develop this definition is used throughout the rest of this chapter.

Let $S$ be a surface with parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v) \rangle$ over some parameter domain $D$. We assume here and throughout that the surface parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v) \rangle$ is continuously differentiable—meaning, each component function has continuous partial derivatives. Assume for the sake of simplicity that $D$ is a rectangle (although the following material can be extended to handle nonrectangular parameter domains). Divide rectangle $D$ into subrectangles $D_{ij}$ with horizontal width $\Delta u$ and vertical length $\Delta v$. Suppose that i ranges from 1 to m and j ranges from 1 to n so that $D$ is subdivided into mn rectangles. This division of $D$ into subrectangles gives a corresponding division of surface $S$ into pieces $S_{ij}$. Choose point $P_{ij}$ in each piece $S_{ij}$. Point $P_{ij}$ corresponds to point $(u_i, v_j)$ in the parameter domain.

Note that we can form a grid with lines that are parallel to the $u$-axis and the $v$-axis in the $uv$-plane. These grid lines correspond to a set of grid curves on surface $S$ that is parameterized by $\vecs r(u,v)$. Without loss of generality, we assume that $P_{ij}$ is located at the corner of two grid curves, as in Figure $\PageIndex{9}$. If we think of $\vecs r$ as a mapping from the $uv$-plane to $\mathbb{R}^3$, the grid curves are the image of the grid lines under $\vecs r$. To be precise, consider the grid lines that go through point $(u_i, v_j)$. One line is given by $x = u_i, \, y = v$; the other is given by $x = u, \, y = v_j$. In the first grid line, the horizontal component is held constant, yielding a vertical line through $(u_i, v_j)$. In the second grid line, the vertical component is held constant, yielding a horizontal line through $(u_i, v_j)$. The corresponding grid curves are $\vecs r(u_i, v)$ and $(u, v_j)$ and these curves intersect at point $P_{ij}$.

Figure $\PageIndex{9}$: Grid lines on a parameter domain correspond to grid curves on a surface.

Now consider the vectors that are tangent to these grid curves. For grid curve $\vecs r(u_i,v)$, the tangent vector at $P_{ij}$ is

$$\vecs t_v (P_{ij}) = \vecs r_v (u_i,v_j) = \langle x_v (u_i,v_j), \, y_v(u_i,v_j), \, z_v (u_i,v_j) \rangle.$$

For grid curve $\vecs r(u, v_j)$, the tangent vector at $P_{ij}$ is

$$\vecs t_u (P_{ij}) = \vecs r_u (u_i,v_j) = \langle x_u (u_i,v_j), \, y_u(u_i,v_j), \, z_u (u_i,v_j) \rangle.$$

If vector $\vecs N = \vecs t_u (P_{ij}) \times \vecs t_v (P_{ij})$ exists and is not zero, then the tangent plane at $P_{ij}$ exists (Figure $\PageIndex{10}$). If piece $S_{ij}$ is small enough, then the tangent plane at point $P_{ij}$ is a good approximation of piece $S_{ij}$.

Figure $\PageIndex{10}$: If the cross product of vectors $\vecs t_u$ and $\vecs t_v$ exists, then there is a tangent plane.

The tangent plane at $P_{ij}$ contains vectors $\vecs t_u(P_{ij})$ and $\vecs t_v(P_{ij})$ and therefore the parallelogram spanned by $\vecs t_u(P_{ij})$ and $\vecs t_v(P_{ij})$ is in the tangent plane. Since the original rectangle in the $uv$-plane corresponding to $S_{ij}$ has width $\Delta u$ and length $\Delta v$, the parallelogram that we use to approximate $S_{ij}$ is the parallelogram spanned by $\Delta u \vecs t_u(P_{ij})$ and $\Delta v \vecs t_v(P_{ij})$. In other words, we scale the tangent vectors by the constants $\Delta u$ and $\Delta v$ to match the scale of the original division of rectangles in the parameter domain. Therefore, the area of the parallelogram used to approximate the area of $S_{ij}$ is

$$\Delta S_{ij} \approx ||(\Delta u \vecs t_u (P_{ij})) \times (\Delta v \vecs t_v (P_{ij})) || = ||\vecs t_u (P_{ij}) \times \vecs t_v (P_{ij}) || \Delta u \,\Delta v.$$

Varying point $P_{ij}$ over all pieces $S_{ij}$ and the previous approximation leads to the following definition of surface area of a parametric surface (Figure $\PageIndex{11}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{11}$: The parallelogram spanned by $\vecs t_u$ and $\vecs t_v$ approximates the piece of surface $S_{ij}$.

definition: smooth parameterization of surface

Let $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v) \rangle$ with parameter domain $D$ be a smooth parameterization of surface $S$. Furthermore, assume that $S$ is traced out only once as $(u,v)$ varies over $D$. The surface area of $S$ is

$$\iint_D ||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v || \,dA, \label{equation1}$$

where $\vecs t_u = \left\langle \dfrac{\partial x}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial y}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial z}{\partial u} \right\rangle$

and

$$\vecs t_v = \left\langle \dfrac{\partial x}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial y}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial z}{\partial u} \right\rangle.$$

Example $\PageIndex{5}$: Calculating Surface Area

Calculate the lateral surface area (the area of the “side,” not including the base) of the right circular cone with height h and radius r.

Solution

Before calculating the surface area of this cone using Equation $\ref{equation1}$, we need a parameterization. We assume this cone is in $\mathbb{R}^3$ with its vertex at the origin (Figure $\PageIndex{12}$). To obtain a parameterization, let $\alpha$ be the angle that is swept out by starting at the positive z-axis and ending at the cone, and let $k = \tan \alpha$. For a height value $v$ with $0 \leq v \leq h$, the radius of the circle formed by intersecting the cone with plane $z = v$ is $kv$. Therefore, a parameterization of this cone is

$$\vecs s(u,v) = \langle kv \, \cos u, \, kv \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < 2\pi, \, 0 \leq v \leq h. \nonumber$$

The idea behind this parameterization is that for a fixed $v$-value, the circle swept out by letting $u$ vary is the circle at height $v$ and radius $kv$. As $v$ increases, the parameterization sweeps out a “stack” of circles, resulting in the desired cone.

Figure $\PageIndex{12}$: The right circular cone with radius $r = kh$ and height $h$ has parameterization $$\vecs s(u,v) = \langle kv \, \cos u, \, kv \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < 2\pi, \, 0 \leq v \leq h.$$

With a parameterization in hand, we can calculate the surface area of the cone using Equation $\ref{equation1}$. The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_u = \langle - kv \, \sin u, \, kv \, \cos u, \, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle k \, \cos u, \, k \, \sin u, \, 1 \rangle$. Therefore,

$$\begin{align*} \vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v &= \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{\hat{i}} & \mathbf{\hat{j}} & \mathbf{\hat{k}} \\ -kv \sin u & kv \cos u & 0 \\ k \cos u & k \sin u & 1 \end{vmatrix} \\[4pt] &= \langle kv \, \cos u, \, kv \, \sin u, \, -k^2 v \, \sin^2 u - k^2 v \, \cos^2 u \rangle \\[4pt] &= \langle kv \, \cos u, \, kv \, \sin u, \, - k^2 v \rangle. \end{align*}$$

The magnitude of this vector is

$$\begin{align*} ||\langle kv \, \cos u, \, kv \, \sin u, \, -k^2 v \rangle || &= \sqrt{k^2 v^2 \cos^2 u + k^2 v^2 \sin^2 u + k^4v^2} \\[4pt] &= \sqrt{k^2v^2 + k^4v^2} \\[4pt] &= kv\sqrt{1 + k^2}. \end{align*}$$

By Equation $\ref{equation1}$, the surface area of the cone is

$$\begin{align*}\iint_D ||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v|| \, dA &= \int_0^h \int_0^{2\pi} kv \sqrt{1 + k^2} \,du\, dv \\[4pt] &= 2\pi k \sqrt{1 + k^2} \int_0^h v \,dv \\[4pt] &= 2 \pi k \sqrt{1 + k^2} \left[\dfrac{v^2}{2}\right]_0^h \\[4pt] \\[4pt] &= \pi k h^2 \sqrt{1 + k^2}. \end{align*}$$

Since $k = \tan \alpha = r/h$,

$$\begin{align*} \pi k h^2 \sqrt{1 + k^2} &= \pi \dfrac{r}{h}h^2 \sqrt{1 + \dfrac{r^2}{h^2}} \\[4pt] &= \pi r h \sqrt{1 + \dfrac{r^2}{h^2}} \\[4pt] \\[4pt] &= \pi r \sqrt{h^2 + h^2 \left(\dfrac{r^2}{h^2}\right) } \\[4pt] &= \pi r \sqrt{h^2 + r^2}. \end{align*}$$

Therefore, the lateral surface area of the cone is $\pi r \sqrt{h^2 + r^2}$.

Analysis

The surface area of a right circular cone with radius $r$ and height $h$ is usually given as $\pi r^2 + \pi r \sqrt{h^2 + r^2}$. The reason for this is that the circular base is included as part of the cone, and therefore the area of the base $\pi r^2$ is added to the lateral surface area $\pi r \sqrt{h^2 + r^2}$ that we found.

Exercise $\PageIndex{5}$

Find the surface area of the surface with parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u + v, \, u^2, \, 2v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 3, \, 0 \leq v \leq 2$.

Hint

Use Equation $\ref{equation1}$.

Answer

$\≈ 43.02$

Example $\PageIndex{6}$: Calculating Surface Area

Show that the surface area of the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = r^2$ is $4 \pi r^2$.

Solution

The sphere has parameterization

$r \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, r \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, r \, \cos \phi \rangle, \, 0 \leq \theta < 2\pi, \, 0 \leq \phi \leq \pi.$

The tangent vectors are

$\vecs t_{\theta} = \langle -r \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, r \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 0 \rangle$

and

$\vecs t_{\phi} = \langle r \, \cos \theta \, \cos \phi, \, r \, \sin \theta \, \cos \phi, \, -r \, \sin \phi \rangle.$

Therefore,

$$\begin{align*}\vecs t_{\phi} \times \vecs t_{\theta} &= \langle r^2 \cos \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, r^2 \sin \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, r^2 \sin^2 \theta \, \sin \phi \, \cos \phi + r^2 \cos^2 \theta \, \sin \phi \, \cos \phi \rangle \\[4pt] &= \langle r^2 \cos \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, r^2 \sin \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, r^2 \sin \phi \, \cos \phi \rangle. \end{align*}$$

Now,

$$\begin{align*}||\vecs t_{\phi} \times \vecs t_{\theta} || &= \sqrt{r^4\sin^4\phi \, \cos^2 \theta + r^4 \sin^4 \phi \, \sin^2 \theta + r^4 \sin^2 \phi \, \cos^2 \phi} \\[4pt] &= \sqrt{r^4 \sin^4 \phi + r^4 \sin^2 \phi \, \cos^2 \phi} \\[4pt] &= r^2 \sqrt{\sin^2 \phi} \\[4pt] &= r \, \sin \phi.\end{align*}$$

Notice that $\sin \phi \geq 0$ on the parameter domain because $0 \leq \phi < \pi$, and this justifies equation $\sqrt{\sin^2 \phi} = \sin \phi$. The surface area of the sphere is

$$\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi} r^2 \sin \phi \, d\phi \,d\theta = r^2 \int_0^{2\pi} 2 \, d\theta = 4\pi r^2. \nonumber$$

We have derived the familiar formula for the surface area of a sphere using surface integrals.

Exercise $\PageIndex{6}$

Show that the surface area of cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = r^2, \, 0 \leq z \leq h$ is $2\pi rh$. Notice that this cylinder does not include the top and bottom circles.

Hint

Use the standard parameterization of a cylinder and follow the previous example.

Answer

With the standard parameterization of a cylinder, Equation $\ref{equation1}$ shows that the surface area is $2 \pi rh$.

In addition to parameterizing surfaces given by equations or standard geometric shapes such as cones and spheres, we can also parameterize surfaces of revolution. Therefore, we can calculate the surface area of a surface of revolution by using the same techniques. Let $y = f(x) \geq 0$ be a positive single-variable function on the domain $a \leq x \leq b$ and let $S$ be the surface obtained by rotating $f$ about the $x$-axis (Figure $\PageIndex{13}$). Let $\theta$ be the angle of rotation. Then, $S$ can be parameterized with parameters $x$ and $\theta$ by

$$\vecs r(x, \theta) = \langle x, f(x) \, \cos \theta, \, f(x) \sin \theta \rangle, \, a \leq x \leq b, \, 0 \leq x \leq 2\pi.$$

Figure $\PageIndex{13}$: We can parameterize a surface of revolution by $\vecs r(x,\theta) = \langle x, f(x) \cos \theta, f(x) \sin \theta \rangle, \, a \leq x \leq b, \, 0 \leq x < 2\pi$.

Example $\PageIndex{7}$: Calculating Surface Area

Find the area of the surface of revolution obtained by rotating $y = x^2, \, 0 \leq x \leq b$ about the x-axis (Figure $\PageIndex{14}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{14}$: A surface integral can be used to calculate the surface area of this solid of revolution.

Solution

This surface has parameterization $\vecs r(x, \theta) = \langle x, \, x^2 \cos \theta, \, x^2 \sin \theta \rangle, \, 0 \leq x \leq b, \, 0 \leq x < 2\pi.$

The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_x = \langle 1, \, 2x \, \cos \theta, \, 2x \, \sin \theta \rangle$ and $\vecs t_{\theta} = \langle 0, \, -x^2 \sin \theta, \, -x^2 \cos \theta \rangle$.

Therefore,

$$\begin{align*} \vecs t_x \times \vecs t_{\theta} &= \langle 2x^3 \cos^2 \theta + 2x^3 \sin^2 \theta, \, -x^2 \cos \theta, \, -x^2 \sin \theta \rangle \\[4pt] &= \langle 2x^3, \, -x^2 \cos \theta, \, -x^2 \sin \theta \rangle \end{align*}$$

and

$$\begin{align*} \vecs t_x \times \vecs t_{\theta} &= \sqrt{4x^6 + x^4\cos^2 \theta + x^4 \sin^2 \theta} \\[4pt] &= \sqrt{4x^6 + x^4} \\[4pt] &= x^2 \sqrt{4x^2 + 1} \end{align*}$$

The area of the surface of revolution is

$$\begin{align*} \int_0^b \int_0^{\pi} x^2 \sqrt{4x^2 + 1} \, d\theta \,dx = 2\pi \int_0^b x^2 \sqrt{4x^2 + 1} \,dx \\[4pt] = 2\pi \left[ \dfrac{1}{64} \left(2 \sqrt{4x^2 + 1} (8x^3 + x) \, \sinh^{-1} (2x)\right)\right]_0^b \\[4pt] = 2\pi \left[ \dfrac{1}{64} \left(2 \sqrt{4b^2 + 1} (8b^3 + b) \, \sinh^{-1} (2b) \right)\right]. \end{align*}$$

Exercise $\PageIndex{7}$

Use Equation $\ref{equation1}$ to find the area of the surface of revolution obtained by rotating curve $y = \sin x, \, 0 \leq x \leq \pi$ about the $x$-axis.

Hint

Use the parameterization of surfaces of revolution given before Example $\PageIndex{7}$.

Answer

$2\pi (\sqrt{2} + \sinh^{-1} (1))$

Surface Integral of a Scalar-Valued Function

Now that we can parameterize surfaces and we can calculate their surface areas, we are able to define surface integrals. First, let’s look at the surface integral of a scalar-valued function. Informally, the surface integral of a scalar-valued function is an analog of a scalar line integral in one higher dimension. The domain of integration of a scalar line integral is a parameterized curve (a one-dimensional object); the domain of integration of a scalar surface integral is a parameterized surface (a two-dimensional object). Therefore, the definition of a surface integral follows the definition of a line integral quite closely. For scalar line integrals, we chopped the domain curve into tiny pieces, chose a point in each piece, computed the function at that point, and took a limit of the corresponding Riemann sum. For scalar surface integrals, we chop the domain region (no longer a curve) into tiny pieces and proceed in the same fashion.

Let $S$ be a piecewise smooth surface with parameterization $\vecs{r}(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v) \rangle$ with parameter domain $D$ and let $f(x,y,z)$ be a function with a domain that contains $S$. For now, assume the parameter domain $D$ is a rectangle, but we can extend the basic logic of how we proceed to any parameter domain (the choice of a rectangle is simply to make the notation more manageable). Divide rectangle $D$ into subrectangles $D_{ij}$ with horizontal width $\Delta u$ and vertical length $\Delta v$. Suppose that $i$ ranges from $1$ to $m$ and $j$ ranges from $1$ to $n$ so that $D$ is subdivided into $mn$ rectangles. This division of $D$ into subrectangles gives a corresponding division of $S$ into pieces $S_{ij}$. Choose point $P_{ij}$ in each piece $S_{ij}$ evaluate $P_{ij}$ at $f$, and multiply by area $S_{ij}$ to form the Riemann sum

$$\sum_{i=1}^m \sum_{j=1}^n f(P_{ij}) \, \Delta S_{ij}.$$

To define a surface integral of a scalar-valued function, we let the areas of the pieces of $S$ shrink to zero by taking a limit.

DEFINITION: surface integral of a scalar-valued function

The surface integral of a scalar-valued function of $f$ over a piecewise smooth surface $S$ is

$$\iint_S f(x,y,z) dA = \lim_{m,n\rightarrow \infty} \sum_{i=1}^m \sum_{j=1}^n f(P_{ij}) \Delta S_{ij}.$$

Again, notice the similarities between this definition and the definition of a scalar line integral. In the definition of a line integral we chop a curve into pieces, evaluate a function at a point in each piece, and let the length of the pieces shrink to zero by taking the limit of the corresponding Riemann sum. In the definition of a surface integral, we chop a surface into pieces, evaluate a function at a point in each piece, and let the area of the pieces shrink to zero by taking the limit of the corresponding Riemann sum. Thus, a surface integral is similar to a line integral but in one higher dimension.

The definition of a scalar line integral can be extended to parameter domains that are not rectangles by using the same logic used earlier. The basic idea is to chop the parameter domain into small pieces, choose a sample point in each piece, and so on. The exact shape of each piece in the sample domain becomes irrelevant as the areas of the pieces shrink to zero.

Scalar surface integrals are difficult to compute from the definition, just as scalar line integrals are. To develop a method that makes surface integrals easier to compute, we approximate surface areas $\Delta S_{ij}$ with small pieces of a tangent plane, just as we did in the previous subsection. Recall the definition of vectors $\vecs t_u$ and $\vecs t_v$:

$$\vecs t_u = \left\langle \dfrac{\partial x}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial y}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial z}{\partial u} \right\rangle\, \text{and} \, \vecs t_v = \left\langle \dfrac{\partial x}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial y}{\partial u},\, \dfrac{\partial z}{\partial u} \right\rangle.$$

From the material we have already studied, we know that

$$\Delta S_{ij} \approx ||\vecs t_u (P_{ij}) \times \vecs t_v (P_{ij})|| \,\Delta u \,\Delta v.$$

Therefore,

$$\iint_S f(x,y,z) \,dS \approx \lim_{m,n\rightarrow\infty} \sum_{i=1}^m \sum_{j=1}^n f(P_{ij})|| \vecs t_u(P_{ij}) \times \vecs t_v(P_{ij}) ||\,\Delta u \,\Delta v.$$

This approximation becomes arbitrarily close to $\displaystyle \lim_{m,n\rightarrow\infty} \sum_{i=1}^m \sum_{j=1}^n f(P_{ij}) \Delta S_{ij}$ as we increase the number of pieces $S_{ij}$ by letting $m$ and $n$ go to infinity. Therefore, we have the following equation to calculate scalar surface integrals:

$$\iint_S f(x,y,z)\,dS = \iint_D f(\vecs r(u,v)) ||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v||\,dA. \label{scalar surface integrals}$$

Equation $\ref{scalar surface integrals}$ allows us to calculate a surface integral by transforming it into a double integral. This equation for surface integrals is analogous to Equation $\ref{surface}$ for line integrals:

$$\iint_C f(x,y,z)\,ds = \int_a^b f(\vecs r(t))||\vecs r'(t)||\,dt.$$

In this case, vector $\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v$ is perpendicular to the surface, whereas vector $\vecs r'(t)$ is tangent to the curve.

Example $\PageIndex{8}$: Calculating a Surface Integral

Calculate surface integral $$\iint_S 5 \, dS,$$ where $S$ is the surface with parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u, \, u^2, \, v \rangle$ for $0 \leq u \leq 2$ and $0 \leq v \leq u$.

Solution

Notice that this parameter domain$D$ is a triangle, and therefore the parameter domain is not rectangular. This is not an issue though, because Equation does not place any restrictions on the shape of the parameter domain.

To use Equation to calculate the surface integral, we first find vectors $\vecs t_u$ and $\vecs t_v$. Note that $\vecs t_u = \langle 1, 2u, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle 0,0,1 \rangle$. Therefore,

$$\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{\hat i} & \mathbf{\hat j} & \mathbf{\hat k} \nonumber \\ 1 & 2u & 0 \nonumber \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix} = \langle 2u, \, -1, \, 0 \rangle$$ and

$$||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v|| = \sqrt{1 + 4u^2}.$$

By Equation,

$$\begin{align*} \iint_S 5 \, dS &= 5 \iint_D u \sqrt{1 + 4u^2} \, dA \\ &= 5 \int_0^2 \int_0^u \sqrt{1 + 4u^2} \, dv \, du = 5 \int_0^2 u \sqrt{1 + 4u^2}\, du \\ &= 5 \left[\dfrac{(1+4u^2)^{3/2}}{3} \right]_0^2 \\ &= \dfrac{5(17^{3/2}-1)}{3} \approx 115.15. \end{align*}$$

Example $\PageIndex{9}$: Calculating the Surface Integral of a Cylinder

Calculate surface integral $$\iint_S (x + y^2) \, dS,$$ where $S$ is cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 4, \, 0 \leq z \leq 3$ (Figure $\PageIndex{15}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{15}$: Integrating function $f(x,y,z) = x + y^2$ over a cylinder.

Solution

To calculate the surface integral, we first need a parameterization of the cylinder. Following Example, a parameterization is $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, 0 \leq u \leq 2\pi, \, 0 \leq v \leq 3.$

The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_u = \langle \sin u, \, \cos u, \, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle 0,0,1 \rangle$. Then,

$$\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{\hat i} & \mathbf{\hat j} & \mathbf{\hat k} \\ -\sin u & \cos u & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix} = \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle$$

and $||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v || = \sqrt{\cos^2 u + \sin^2 u} = 1$. By Equation,

$$\begin{align*} \iint_S f(x,y,z)dS &= \iint_D f (\vecs r(u,v)) ||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v|| \, dA \\ &= \int_0^3 \int_0^{2\pi} (\cos u + \sin^2 u) \, du \,dv \\ &= \int_0^3 \left[\sin u + \dfrac{u}{2} - \dfrac{\sin(2u)}{4} \right]_0^{2\pi} \,dv \\ &= \int_0^3 \pi \, dv = 3 \pi. \end{align*}$$

Exercise $\PageIndex{8}$

Calculate $$\iint_S (x^2 - z) \,dS,$$ where $S$ is the surface with parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle v, \, u^2 + v^2, \, 1 \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 2, \, 0 \leq v \leq 3.$

Hint

Use Equation.

Answer

24

Example $\PageIndex{10}$: Calculating the Surface Integral of a Piece of a Sphere

Calculate surface integral $$\iint_S f(x,y,z)\,dS,$$ where $f(x,y,z) = z^2$ and $S$ is the surface that consists of the piece of sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$ that lies on or above plane $z = 1$ and the disk that is enclosed by intersection plane $z = 1$ and the given sphere (Figure $\PageIndex{16}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{16}$: Calculating a surface integral over surface $S$.

Solution

Notice that $S$ is not smooth but is piecewise smooth; $S$ can be written as the union of its base $S_1$ and its spherical top $S_2$, and both $S_1$ and $S_2$ are smooth. Therefore, to calculate

$$\iint_S z^2 dS,$$we write this integral as $$\iint_{S_1} z^2 \,dS + \iint_{S_2} z^2 \,dS$$ and we calculate integrals $$\iint_{S_1} z^2 \,dS$$ and $$\iint_{S_2}Z^2 \,dS.$$

First, we calculate $\displaystyle \iint_{S_1} z^2 \,dS.$ To calculate this integral we need a parameterization of $S_1$. This surface is a disk in plane $z = 1$ centered at $(0,0,1)$. To parameterize this disk, we need to know its radius. Since the disk is formed where plane $z = 1$ intersects sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$, we can substitute $z = 1$ into equation $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$:

$$x^2 + y^2 + 1 = 4 \Rightarrow x^2 + y^2 = 3.$$

Therefore, the radius of the disk is $\sqrt{3}$ and a parameterization of $S_1$ is $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u \, \cos v, \, u \, \sin v, \, 1 \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq \sqrt{3}, \, 0 \leq v \leq 2\pi$. The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_u = \langle \cos v, \, \sin v, \, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle -u \, \sin v, \, u \, \cos v, \, 0 \rangle$, and thus

$$\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{\hat i} & \mathbf{\hat j} & \mathbf{\hat k} \\ \cos v & \sin v & 0 \\ -u\sin v & u\cos v& 0 \end{vmatrix} = \langle 0, \, 0, u \, \cos^2 v + u \, \sin^2 v \rangle = \langle 0, 0, u \rangle.$$

The magnitude of this vector is $u$. Therefore,

$$\begin{align*} \iint_{S_1} z^2 \,dS &= \int_0^{\sqrt{3}} \int_0^{2\pi} f(r(u,v))||t_u \times t_v|| \, dv \, du \\ &= \int_0^{\sqrt{3}} \int_0^{2\pi} u \, dv \, du \\ &= 2\pi \int_0^{\sqrt{3}} u \, du \\ &= 2\pi \sqrt{3}. \end{align*}$$

Now we calculate $$\iint_{S_2} \,dS.$$ To calculate this integral, we need a parameterization of $S_2$. The parameterization of full sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4$ is

$$\vecs r(\phi, \theta) = \langle 2 \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 2 \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 2 \, \cos \phi \rangle, \, 0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi, 0 \leq \phi \leq \pi.$$

Since we are only taking the piece of the sphere on or above plane $z = 1$, we have to restrict the domain of $\phi$. To see how far this angle sweeps, notice that the angle can be located in a right triangle, as shown in Figure $\PageIndex{17}$ (the $\sqrt{3}$ comes from the fact that the base of $S$ is a disk with radius $\sqrt{3}$). Therefore, the tangent of $\phi$ is $\sqrt{3}$, which implies that $\phi$ is $\pi / 6$. We now have a parameterization of $S_2$:

$\vecs r(\phi, \theta) = \langle 2 \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 2 \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 2 \, \cos \phi \rangle, \, 0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi, \, 0 \leq \phi \leq \pi / 3.$

Figure $\PageIndex{17}$: The maximum value of $\phi$ has a tangent value of $\sqrt{3}$.

The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_{\phi} = \langle 2 \, \cos \theta \, \cos \phi, \, 2 \, \sin \theta \,\cos \phi, \, -2 \, \sin \phi \rangle$ and $\vecs t_{\theta} = \langle - 2 \sin \theta \sin \phi, \, u\cos \theta \sin \phi, \, 0 \rangle$, and thus

$$\begin{align*} \vecs t_{\phi} \times \vecs t_{\theta} &= \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{\hat i} & \mathbf{\hat j} & \mathbf{\hat k} \nonumber \\ 2 \cos \theta \cos \phi & 2 \sin \theta \cos \phi & -2\sin \phi \\ -2\sin \theta\sin\phi & 2\cos \theta \sin\phi & 0 \end{vmatrix} \\ &= \langle 4 \, \cos \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 4 \, \sin \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 4 \, \cos^2 \theta \, \cos \phi \, \sin \phi + 4 \, \sin^2 \theta \, \cos \phi \, \sin \phi \rangle \\ &= \langle 4 \, \cos \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 4 \, \sin \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 4 \, \cos \phi \, \sin \phi \rangle. \end{align*}$$

The magnitude of this vector is

$$\begin{align*} \vecs t_{\phi} \times \vecs t_{\theta} &= \sqrt{16 \, \cos^2\theta \, \sin^4\phi + 16 \, \sin^2\theta \, \sin^4 \phi + 16 \, \cos^2\phi \, \sin^2\phi} \\ &= 4 \sqrt{sin^4\phi + \cos^2\phi \, \sin^2\phi}. \end{align*}$$

Therefore,

$$\begin{align*} \iint_{S_2} z \, dS &= \int_0^{\pi/6} \int_0^{2\pi} f (\vecs r(\phi, \theta))||\vecs t_{\phi} \times \vecs t_{\theta}|| \, d\theta \, d\phi \\ &= \int_0^{\pi/6} \int_0^{2\pi} 16 \, \cos^2\phi \sqrt{\sin^4\phi + \cos^2\phi \, \sin^2\phi} \, d\theta \, d\phi \\ &= 32 \pi \int_0^{\pi/6} \cos^2\phi \sqrt{\sin^4\phi + \cos^2\phi \, \sin^2 \phi} \, d\phi \\ &= 32 \pi \int_0^{\pi/6} \cos^2\phi \, sin \phi \sqrt{\sin^2\phi + \cos^2\phi} \, d\phi \\ &= 32 \pi \int_0^{\pi/6} \cos^2\phi \, sin \phi \, d\phi \\ &= 32\pi \left[- \dfrac{\cos^3 \phi}{3} \right]_0^{\pi/6} \\ &= 32 \pi \left[ \dfrac{1}{3} - \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{8} \right] = \dfrac{32\pi}{3} - 4\sqrt{3}. \end{align*}$$

Since $$\iint_S z^2 \,dS = \iint_{S_1}z^2 \,dS + \iint_{S_2}z^2 \,dS,$$ we have $$\iint_S z^2 \,dS = (2\pi - 4) \sqrt{3} + \dfrac{32\pi}{3}.$$

Analysis

In this example we broke a surface integral over a piecewise surface into the addition of surface integrals over smooth subsurfaces. There were only two smooth subsurfaces in this example, but this technique extends to finitely many smooth subsurfaces.

Exercise $\PageIndex{9}$

Calculate line integral $\displaystyle \iint_S (x - y) \, dS,$ where $S$ is cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = 1, \, 0 \leq z \leq 2$, including the circular top and bottom.

Hint

Break the integral into three separate surface integrals.

Answer

0

Scalar surface integrals have several real-world applications. Recall that scalar line integrals can be used to compute the mass of a wire given its density function. In a similar fashion, we can use scalar surface integrals to compute the mass of a sheet given its density function. If a thin sheet of metal has the shape of surface S and the density of the sheet at point $(x,y,z)$ is $\rho(x,y,z)$ then mass $m$ of the sheet is $\displaystyle m = \iint_S \rho (x,y,z) \,dS.$

Example $\PageIndex{11}$: Calculating the Mass of a Sheet

A flat sheet of metal has the shape of surface $z = 1 + x + 2y$ that lies above rectangle $0 \leq x \leq 4$ and $0 \leq y \leq 2$. If the density of the sheet is given by $\rho (x,y,z) = x^2 yz$, what is the mass of the sheet?

Solution

Let $S$ be the surface that describes the sheet. Then, the mass of the sheet is given by $\displaystyle m = \iint_S x^2 yx \, dS.$ To compute this surface integral, we first need a parameterization of $S$. Since $S$ is given by the function $f(x,y) = 1 + x + 2y$, a parameterization of $S$ is $\vecs r(x,y) = \langle x, \, y, \, 1 + x + 2y \rangle, \, 0 \leq x \leq 4, \, 0 \leq y \leq 2$.

The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_x = \langle 1,0,1 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_y = \langle 1,0,2 \rangle$. Therefore, $\vecs t_x + \vecs t_y = \langle -1,-2,1 \rangle$ and $||\vecs t_x \times \vecs t_y|| = \sqrt{6}$.

By the definition of the line integral (Section 16.2), $$\begin{align*} m &= \iint_S x^2 yz \, dS \\ &= \sqrt{6} \int_0^4 \int_0^2 x^2 y (1 + x + 2y) \, dy \,dx \\ &= \sqrt{6} \int_0^4 \dfrac{22x^2}{3} + 2x^3 \,dx \\ &= \dfrac{2560 \sqrt{6}}{9} \approx 696.74. \end{align*}$$

Exercise $\PageIndex{10}$

A piece of metal has a shape that is modeled by paraboloid $z = x^2 + y^2, \, 0 \leq z \leq 4,$ and the density of the metal is given by $\rho (x,y,z) = z + 1$. Find the mass of the piece of metal.

Hint

The mass of a sheet is given by $$m = \iint_S \rho (x,y,z) \, dS.$$ A useful parameterization of a paraboloid was given in a previous example.

Answer

$38.401 \pi \approx 120.640$

Orientation of a Surface

Recall that when we defined a scalar line integral, we did not need to worry about an orientation of the curve of integration. The same was true for scalar surface integrals: we did not need to worry about an “orientation” of the surface of integration.

On the other hand, when we defined vector line integrals, the curve of integration needed an orientation. That is, we needed the notion of an oriented curve to define a vector line integral without ambiguity. Similarly, when we define a surface integral of a vector field, we need the notion of an oriented surface. An oriented surface is given an “upward” or “downward” orientation or, in the case of surfaces such as a sphere or cylinder, an “outward” or “inward” orientation.

Let S be a smooth surface. For any point $(x,y,z)$ on $S$, we can identify two unit normal vectors $\vecs N$ and $-\vecs N$. If it is possible to choose a unit normal vector $\vecs N$ at every point $(x,y,z)$ on $S$ so that $\vecs N$ varies continuously over $S$, then $S$ is “orientable.” Such a choice of unit normal vector at each point gives the orientation of a surface $S$. If you think of the normal field as describing water flow, then the side of the surface that water flows toward is the “negative” side and the side of the surface at which the water flows away is the “positive” side. Informally, a choice of orientation gives $S$ an “outer” side and an “inner” side (or an “upward” side and a “downward” side), just as a choice of orientation of a curve gives the curve “forward” and “backward” directions.

Closed surfaces such as spheres are orientable: if we choose the outward normal vector at each point on the surface of the sphere, then the unit normal vectors vary continuously. This is called the positive orientation of the closed surface (Figure). We also could choose the inward normal vector at each point to give an “inward” orientation, which is the negative orientation of the surface.

Figure $\PageIndex{18}$: An oriented sphere with positive orientation.

A portion of the graph of any smooth function $z = f(x,y)$ is also orientable. If we choose the unit normal vector that points “above” the surface at each point, then the unit normal vectors vary continuously over the surface. We could also choose the unit normal vector that points “below” the surface at each point. To get such an orientation, we parameterize the graph of $f$ in the standard way: $\vecs r(x,y) = \langle x,\, y, \, f(x,y)\rangle$, where $x$ and $y$ vary over the domain of $f$. Then, $\vecs t_x = \langle 1,0,f_x \rangle$ and $\vecs t_y = \langle 0,1,f_y \rangle$, and therefore the cross product $\vecs t_x \times \vecs t_y$ (which is normal to the surface at any point on the surface) is $\langle -f_x, \, -f_y, \, 1 \rangle$Since the $z$-component of this vector is one, the corresponding unit normal vector points “upward,” and the upward side of the surface is chosen to be the “positive” side.

Let $S$ be a smooth orientable surface with parameterization $\vecs r(u,v)$. For each point $\vecs r(a,b)$ on the surface, vectors $\vecs t_u$ and $\vecs t_v$ lie in the tangent plane at that point. Vector $\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v$ is normal to the tangent plane at $\vecs r(a,b)$ and is therefore normal to $S$ at that point. Therefore, the choice of unit normal vector

$$\vecs N = \dfrac{\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v}{||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v||}$$

gives an orientation of surface $S$.

Example $\PageIndex{12}$:Choosing an Orientation

Give an orientation of cylinder $x^2 + y^2 = r^2, \, 0 \leq z \leq h$.

Solution

This surface has parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle r \, \cos u, \, r \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < 2\pi, \, 0 \leq v \leq h.$

The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_u = \langle -r \, \sin u, \, r \, \cos u, \, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle 0,0,1 \rangle$. To get an orientation of the surface, we compute the unit normal vector $$\vecs N = \dfrac{\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v}{||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v||}$$

In this case, $\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \langle r \, \cos u, \, r \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle$ and therefore

$$||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v|| = \sqrt{r^2 \cos^2 u + r^2 \sin^2 u} = r.$$

An orientation of the cylinder is

$$\vecs N(u,v) = \dfrac{\langle r \, \cos u, \, r \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle }{r} = \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle.$$

Notice that all vectors are parallel to the $xy$-plane, which should be the case with vectors that are normal to the cylinder. Furthermore, all the vectors point outward, and therefore this is an outward orientation of the cylinder (Figure $\PageIndex{19}$).

Figure $\PageIndex{19}$:. If all the vectors normal to a cylinder point outward, then this is an outward orientation of the cylinder.

Exercise $\PageIndex{11}$

Give the “upward” orientation of the graph of $f(x,y) = xy$.

Hint

Parameterize the surface and use the fact that the surface is the graph of a function.

Answer

$$\vecs{N}(x,y) = \left\langle \dfrac{-y}{\sqrt{1+x^2+y^2}}, \, \dfrac{-x}{\sqrt{1+x^2+y^2}}, \, \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1+x^2+y^2}} \right\rangle$$

Since every curve has a “forward” and “backward” direction (or, in the case of a closed curve, a clockwise and counterclockwise direction), it is possible to give an orientation to any curve. Hence, it is possible to think of every curve as an oriented curve. This is not the case with surfaces, however. Some surfaces cannot be oriented; such surfaces are called nonorientable. Essentially, a surface can be oriented if the surface has an “inner” side and an “outer” side, or an “upward” side and a “downward” side. Some surfaces are twisted in such a fashion that there is no well-defined notion of an “inner” or “outer” side.

The classic example of a nonorientable surface is the Möbius strip. To create a Möbius strip, take a rectangular strip of paper, give the piece of paper a half-twist, and the glue the ends together (Figure $\PageIndex{20}$). Because of the half-twist in the strip, the surface has no “outer” side or “inner” side. If you imagine placing a normal vector at a point on the strip and having the vector travel all the way around the band, then (because of the half-twist) the vector points in the opposite direction when it gets back to its original position. Therefore, the strip really only has one side.

Figure $\PageIndex{20}$: The construction of a Möbius strip.

Since some surfaces are nonorientable, it is not possible to define a vector surface integral on all piecewise smooth surfaces. This is in contrast to vector line integrals, which can be defined on any piecewise smooth curve.

Surface Integral of a Vector Field

With the idea of orientable surfaces in place, we are now ready to define a surface integral of a vector field. The definition is analogous to the definition of the flux of a vector field along a plane curve. Recall that if $\vecs{F}$ is a two-dimensional vector field and $C$ is a plane curve, then the definition of the flux of $\vecs{F}$ along $C$ involved chopping $C$ into small pieces, choosing a point inside each piece, and calculating $\vecs{F} \cdot \vecs{N}$ at the point (where $\vecs{N}$ is the unit normal vector at the point). The definition of a surface integral of a vector field proceeds in the same fashion, except now we chop surface $S$ into small pieces, choose a point in the small (two-dimensional) piece, and calculate $\vecs{F} \cdot \vecs{N}$ at the point.

To place this definition in a real-world setting, let $S$ be an oriented surface with unit normal vector $\vecs{N}$. Let $\vecs{v}$ be a velocity field of a fluid flowing through $S$, and suppose the fluid has density $\rho(x,y,z)$ Imagine the fluid flows through $S$, but $S$ is completely permeable so that it does not impede the fluid flow (Figure $\PageIndex{21}$). The mass flux of the fluid is the rate of mass flow per unit area. The mass flux is measured in mass per unit time per unit area. How could we calculate the mass flux of the fluid across $S$?

Figure $\PageIndex{21}$: Fluid flows across a completely permeable surface $S$.

The rate of flow, measured in mass per unit time per unit area, is $\rho \vecs N$. To calculate the mass flux across $S$, chop $S$ into small pieces $S_{ij}$. If $S_{ij}$ is small enough, then it can be approximated by a tangent plane at some point $P$ in $S_{ij}$. Therefore, the unit normal vector at $P$ can be used to approximate $\vecs N(x,y,z)$ across the entire piece $S_{ij}$ because the normal vector to a plane does not change as we move across the plane. The component of the vector $\rho v$ at P in the direction of $\vecs{N}$ is $\rho \vecs v \cdot \vecs N$ at $P$. Since $S_{ij}$ is small, the dot product $\rho v \cdot N$ changes very little as we vary across $S_{ij}$ and therefore $\rho \vecs v \cdot \vecs N$ can be taken as approximately constant across $S_{ij}$. To approximate the mass of fluid per unit time flowing across $S_{ij}$ (and not just locally at point $P$), we need to multiply $(\rho \vecs v \cdot \vecs N) (P)$ by the area of $S_{ij}$. Therefore, the mass of fluid per unit time flowing across $S_{ij}$ in the direction of $\vecs{N}$ can be approximated by $(\rho \vecs v \cdot \vecs N)\Delta S_{ij}$ where $\vecs{N}$, $\rho$ and $\vecs{v}$ are all evaluated at $P$ (Figure $\PageIndex{22}$). This is analogous to the flux of two-dimensional vector field $\vecs{F}$ across plane curve $C$, in which we approximated flux across a small piece of $C$ with the expression $(\vecs{F} \cdot \vecs{N}) \,\Delta s$. To approximate the mass flux across $S$, form the sum

$$\sum_{i=1}m \sum_{j=1}^n (\rho \vecs{v} \cdot \vecs{N}) \Delta S_{ij}. \nonumber$$

As pieces $S_{ij}$ get smaller, the sum

$$\sum_{i=1}m \sum_{j=1}^n (\rho \vecs{v} \cdot \vecs{N}) \Delta S_{ij} \nonumber$$

gets arbitrarily close to the mass flux. Therefore, the mass flux is

$$\iint_s \rho \vecs v \cdot \vecs N \, dS = \lim_{m,n\rightarrow\infty} \sum_{i=1}^m \sum_{j=1}^n (\rho \vecs{v} \cdot \vecs{N}) \Delta S_{ij}.$$

This is a surface integral of a vector field. Letting the vector field $\rho \vecs{v}$ be an arbitrary vector field $\vecs{F}$ leads to the following definition.

Figure $\PageIndex{22}$: The mass of fluid per unit time flowing across $S_{ij}$ in the direction of $\vecs N$ can be approximated by $(\rho \vecs v \cdot \vecs N) \Delta S_{ij}$.

Definition: Surface Integrals

Let $\vecs{F}$ be a continuous vector field with a domain that contains oriented surface $S$ with unit normal vector $\vecs{N}$. The surface integral of $\vecs{F}$ over $S$ is

$$\iint_S \vecs{F} \cdot \vecs{S} = \iint_S \vecs{F} \cdot \vecs{N} \,dS. \label{surfaceI}$$

Notice the parallel between this definition and the definition of vector line integral $\displaystyle \int_C \vecs F \cdot \vecs N\, dS$. A surface integral of a vector field is defined in a similar way to a flux line integral across a curve, except the domain of integration is a surface (a two-dimensional object) rather than a curve (a one-dimensional object). Integral $\displaystyle \iint_S \vecs F \cdot \vecs N\, dS$ is called the flux of $\vecs{F}$ across $S$, just as integral $\displaystyle \int_C \vecs F \cdot \vecs N\,dS$ is the flux of $\vecs F$ across curve $C$. A surface integral over a vector field is also called a flux integral.

Just as with vector line integrals, surface integral $\displaystyle \iint_S \vecs F \cdot \vecs N\, dS$ is easier to compute after surface $S$ has been parameterized. Let $\vecs r(u,v)$ be a parameterization of $S$ with parameter domain $D$. Then, the unit normal vector is given by $\vecs N = \dfrac{\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v}{||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v||}$ and, from Equation $\ref{surfaceI}$, we have

$$\begin{align*} \int_C \vecs F \cdot \vecs N\, dS &= \iint_S \vecs F \cdot \dfrac{\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v}{||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v||} \,dS \\[4pt] &= \iint_D \left(\vecs F (\vecs r (u,v)) \cdot \dfrac{\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v}{||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v||} \right) \vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v || \,dA \\[4pt] &= \iint_D (\vecs F(\vecs r(u,v)) \cdot (\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v))\,dA. \end{align*}$$

Therefore, to compute a surface integral over a vector field we can use the equation

$$\iint_S \vecs F \cdot \vecs N\, dS = \iint_D (\vecs F (\vecs r (u,v)) \cdot (\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v)) \,dA. \label{equation 5}$$

Example $\PageIndex{13}$: Calculating a Surface Integral

Calculate the surface integral $$\iint_S \vecs F \cdot \vecs N\,dS,$$ where $\vecs{F} = \langle -y,x,0\rangle$ and $S$ is the surface with parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle u,v^2 - u, \, u + v\rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq 3, \, 0 \leq v \leq 4$.

Solution

The tangent vectors are $\vecs t_u = \langle 1,-1,1\rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle 0,2v,1\rangle$. Therefore,

$$\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \langle -1 -2v, -1, 2v\rangle.$$

By Equation $\ref{equation 5}$,

$$\begin{align*} \iint_S \vecs F \cdot dS &= \int_0^4 \int_0^3 F (\vecs r(u,v)) \cdot (\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v) \, du \,dv \\[4pt] &= \int_0^4 \int_0^3 \langle u - v^2, \, u, \, 0\rangle \cdot \langle -1 -2v, \, -1, \, 2v\rangle \, du\,dv \\[4pt] &= \int_0^4 \int_0^3 [(u - v^2)(-1-2v) - u] \, du\,dv \\[4pt] &= \int_0^4 \int_0^3 (2v^3 + v^2 - 2uv - 2u) \, du\,dv \\[4pt] &= \int_0^4 \left.[2v^3u + v^2u - vu^2 - u^2]\right|_0^3 \, dv \\[4pt] &= \int_0^4 (6v^3 + 3v^2 - 9v - 9) \, dv \\[4pt] &= \left[ \dfrac{3v^4}{2} + v^3 - \dfrac{9v^2}{2} - 9v\right]_0^4\\[4pt] &= 340. \end{align*}$$

Therefore, the flux of $\vecs{F}$ across $S$ is 340.

Exercise $\PageIndex{12}$

Calculate surface integral $$\iint_S \vecs F \cdot \vecs N \, dS, \nonumber$$ where $\vecs F = \langle 0, -z, y \rangle$ and $S$ is the portion of the unit sphere in the first octant with outward orientation.

Hint

Use Equation $\ref{equation 5}$.

Answer

0

Example $\PageIndex{14}$:Calculating Mass Flow Rate

Let $\vecs v(x,y,z) = \langle 2x, \, 2y, \, z\rangle$ represent a velocity field (with units of meters per second) of a fluid with constant density 80 kg/m³. Let $S$ be hemisphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 9$ with $z \leq 0$ such that $S$ is oriented outward. Find the mass flow rate of the fluid across $S$.

Solution

A parameterization of the surface is

$$\vecs r(\phi, \theta) = \langle 3 \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 3 \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 3 \, \cos \phi \rangle, \, 0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi, \, 0 \leq \phi \leq \pi/2.$$

As in Example, the tangent vectors are $\vecs t_{\theta} = \langle -3 \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 3 \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_{\phi} = \langle 3 \, \cos \theta \, \cos \phi, \, 3 \, \sin \theta \, \cos \phi, \, -3 \, \sin \phi \rangle,$ and their cross product is

$$\vecs t_{\phi} \times \vecs t_{\theta} = \langle 9 \, \cos \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 9 \, \sin \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 9 \, \sin \phi \, \cos \phi \rangle.$$

Notice that each component of the cross product is positive, and therefore this vector gives the outward orientation. Therefore we use the orientation

$\vecs N = \langle 9 \, \cos \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 9 \, \sin \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 9 \, \sin \phi \, \cos \phi \rangle$

for the sphere.

By Equation,

$$\begin{align*} \iint_S \rho v \cdot \,dS &= 80 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/2} v (r(\phi, \theta)) \cdot (t_{\phi} \times t_{\theta}) \, d\phi \, d\theta \\ &= 80 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/2} \langle 6 \, \cos \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 6 \, \sin \theta \, \sin \phi, \, 3 \, \cos \phi \rangle \cdot \langle 9 \, \cos \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 9 \, \sin \theta \, \sin^2 \phi, \, 9 \, \sin \phi \, \cos \phi \rangle \, d\phi \, d\theta \\ &= 80 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/2} 54 \, \sin^3 \phi + 27 \, \cos^2 \phi \, \sin \phi \, d\phi \, d\theta \\ &= 80 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/2} 54 (1 - \cos^2\phi) \, \sin \phi + 27 \cos^2\phi \, \sin \phi \, d\phi \, d\theta \\ &= 80 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/2} 54\, \sin \phi - 27 \, \cos^2 \phi \, \sin \phi \, d\phi \,d\theta \\ &= 80 \int_0^{2\pi} \Big[-54 \, \cos \phi + 9 \, \cos^3 \phi \Big]_{\phi=0}^{\phi=2\pi} \, d\theta \\ &=80 \int_0^{2\pi} 45 \, d\theta \\ &= 7200\pi.\end{align*}$$

Therefore, the mass flow rate is $7200\pi \, \text{kg/sec/m}^2$.

Exercise $\PageIndex{13}$

Let $\vecs v(x,y,z) = \langle x^2 + y^2, \, z, \, 4y \rangle$ m/sec represent a velocity field of a fluid with constant density 100 kg/m³. Let $S$ be the half-cylinder $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u \leq \pi, \, 0 \leq v \leq 2$ oriented outward. Calculate the mass flux of the fluid across $S$.

Hint

Use Equation.

Answer

400 kg/sec/m

In Example $\PageIndex{14}$, we computed the mass flux, which is the rate of mass flow per unit area. If we want to find the flow rate (measured in volume per time) instead, we can use flux integral

$$\iint_S \vecs v \cdot \vecs N \, dS,$$

which leaves out the density. Since the flow rate of a fluid is measured in volume per unit time, flow rate does not take mass into account. Therefore, we have the following characterization of the flow rate of a fluid with velocity $\vecs v$ across a surface $S$:

Flow rate of fluid across $$S = \iint_S \vecs v \cdot dS.$$

To compute the flow rate of the fluid in Example, we simply remove the density constant, which gives a flow rate of $90 \pi \, m^3/sec$.

Both mass flux and flow rate are important in physics and engineering. Mass flux measures how much mass is flowing across a surface; flow rate measures how much volume of fluid is flowing across a surface.

In addition to modeling fluid flow, surface integrals can be used to model heat flow. Suppose that the temperature at point $(x,y,z)$ in an object is $T(x,y,z)$. Then the heat flow is a vector field proportional to the negative temperature gradient in the object. To be precise, the heat flow is defined as vector field $F = - k \nabla T$, where the constant k is the thermal conductivity of the substance from which the object is made (this constant is determined experimentally). The rate of heat flow across surface S in the object is given by the flux integral

$$\iint_S \vecs F \cdot dS = \iint_S -k \vecs \nabla T \cdot dS.$$

Example $\PageIndex{15}$: Calculating Heat Flow

A cast-iron solid cylinder is given by inequalities $x^2 + y^2 \leq 1, \, 1 \leq z \leq 4$. The temperature at point $(x,y,z)$ in a region containing the cylinder is $T(x,y,z) = (x^2 + y^2)z$. Given that the thermal conductivity of cast iron is 55, find the heat flow across the boundary of the solid if this boundary is oriented outward.

Solution

Let $S$ denote the boundary of the object. To find the heat flow, we need to calculate flux integral $$\iint_S -k\vecs \nabla T \cdot dS.$$ Notice that $S$ is not a smooth surface but is piecewise smooth, since $S$ is the union of three smooth surfaces (the circular top and bottom, and the cylindrical side). Therefore, we calculate three separate integrals, one for each smooth piece of $S$. Before calculating any integrals, note that the gradient of the temperature is $\vecs \nabla T = \langle 2xz, \, 2yz, \, x^2 + y^2 \rangle$.

First we consider the circular bottom of the object, which we denote $S_1$. We can see that $S_1$ is a circle of radius 1 centered at point $(0,0,1)$ sitting in plane $z = 1$. This surface has parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle v \, \cos u, \, v \, \sin u, \, 1 \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < 2\pi, \, 0 \leq v \leq 1.$

Therefore,

$\vecs t_u = \langle -v \, \sin u, \, v \, \cos u, \, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle \cos u, \, v \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle$, and $\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \langle 0, \, 0, -v \, \sin^2 u - v \, \cos^2 u \rangle = \langle 0, \, 0, -v \rangle$.

Since the surface is oriented outward and $S_1$ is the bottom of the object, it makes sense that this vector points downward. By Equation, the heat flow across $S_1$ is

$$\begin{align*}\iint_{S_1} -k \vecs \nabla T \cdot dS &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \vecs \nabla T(u,v) \cdot (\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v) \, dv\, du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \langle 2v \, \cos u, \, 2v \, \sin u, \, v^2 \cos^2 u + v^2 \sin^2 u \rangle \cdot \langle 0,0, -v\rangle \, dv \,du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \langle 2v \, \cos u, \, 2v \, \sin u, \, v^2\rangle \cdot \langle 0, 0, -v \rangle \, dv\, du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 -v^3 \, dv\, du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} -\dfrac{1}{4} du \\[4pt] &= \dfrac{55\pi}{2}.\end{align*}$$

Now let’s consider the circular top of the object, which we denote $S_2$. We see that $S_2$ is a circle of radius 1 centered at point $(0,0,4)$, sitting in plane $z = 4$. This surface has parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle v \, \cos u, \, v \, \sin u, \, 4 \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < 2\pi, \, 0 \leq v \leq 1.$

Therefore, $\vecs t_u = \langle -v \, \sin u, \, v \, \cos u, \, 0 \rangle$ and $\vecs t_v = \langle \cos u, \, v \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle$, and $\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \langle 0, \, 0, -v \, \sin^2 u - v \, \cos^2 u \rangle = \langle 0,0,-v\rangle$.

Since the surface is oriented outward and $S_1$ is the top of the object, we instead take vector $\vecs t_v \times \vecs t_u = \langle 0,0,v\rangle$. By Equation, the heat flow across $S_1$ is

$$\begin{align*}\iint_{S_2} -k \vecs \nabla T \cdot dS &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \vecs \nabla T(u,v) \cdot\, (\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v) \, dv\, du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \langle 8v \, \cos u, \, 8v \, \sin u, \, v^2 \cos^2 u + v^2 \sin^2 u \rangle \cdot \langle 0,0, -v\rangle \, dv\,du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \langle 8v \, \cos u, \, 8v \, \sin u, \, v^2\rangle \cdot \langle 0, 0, -v \rangle\, \, dv \,du\\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 -v^3 \, dv \,du = - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} -\dfrac{1}{4} \,du = - \dfrac{55\pi}{2}.\end{align*}$$

Last, let’s consider the cylindrical side of the object. This surface has parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, v \rangle, \, 0 \leq u < 2\pi, \, 1 \leq v \leq 4$. By Example, we know that $\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v = \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle$. By Equation,

$$\begin{align*} \iint_{S_3} -k \vecs \nabla T \cdot dS &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_1^4 \vecs \nabla T(u,v) \cdot (\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v) \, dv\, du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_1^4 \langle 2v \, \cos u, \, 2v \, \sin u, \, \cos^2 u + \sin^2 u \rangle \cdot \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle \, dv\, du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \langle 2v \, \cos^2 u, \, 2v \, \sin u, \, 1 \rangle \cdot \langle \cos u, \, \sin u, \, 0 \rangle \, dv\,\, du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 (2v \, \cos^2 u + 2v \, \sin^2 u ) \, dv \,du \\[4pt] &= - 55 \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 2v \, dv \,du \\[4pt] &= -55 \int_0^{2\pi} du \\[4pt] &= -110\pi. \end{align*}$$

Therefore, the rate of heat flow across $S$ is

$$\dfrac{55\pi}{2} - \dfrac{55\pi}{2} - 110\pi = -110\pi. \nonumber$$

Exercise $\PageIndex{14}$

A cast-iron solid ball is given by inequality $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 \leq 1$. The temperature at a point in a region containing the ball is $T(x,y,z) = \dfrac{1}{3}(x^2 + y^2 + z^2)$. Find the heat flow across the boundary of the solid if this boundary is oriented outward.

Hint

Follow the steps of Example $\PageIndex{15}$.

Answer

$-\dfrac{440\pi}{3}$

Key Concepts

• Surfaces can be parameterized, just as curves can be parameterized. In general, surfaces must be parameterized with two parameters.
• Surfaces can sometimes be oriented, just as curves can be oriented. Some surfaces, such as a Möbius strip, cannot be oriented.
• A surface integral is like a line integral in one higher dimension. The domain of integration of a surface integral is a surface in a plane or space, rather than a curve in a plane or space.
• The integrand of a surface integral can be a scalar function or a vector field. To calculate a surface integral with an integrand that is a function, use Equation. To calculate a surface integral with an integrand that is a vector field, use Equation.
• If $S$ is a surface, then the area of $S$ is $$\iint_S \, dS.$$

Key Equations

• Scalar surface integral

$$\iint_S f(x,y,z) \,dS = \iint_D f (\vecs r(u,v)) ||\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v||\,dA \nonumber$$

• Flux integral

$$\iint_S \vecs F \cdot \vecs N \, dS = \iint_S \vecs F \cdot dS = \iint_D \vecs F (\vecs r (u,v)) \cdot (\vecs t_u \times \vecs t_v) \, dA \nonumber$$

Glossary

flux integral

another name for a surface integral of a vector field; the preferred term in physics and engineering

grid curves

curves on a surface that are parallel to grid lines in a coordinate plane

heat flow

a vector field proportional to the negative temperature gradient in an object

mass flux

the rate of mass flow of a fluid per unit area, measured in mass per unit time per unit area

orientation of a surface

if a surface has an “inner” side and an “outer” side, then an orientation is a choice of the inner or the outer side; the surface could also have “upward” and “downward” orientations

parameter domain (parameter space)

the region of the $uv$-plane over which the parameters $u$ and $v$ vary for parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v)\rangle$

parameterized surface (parametric surface)

a surface given by a description of the form $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v)\rangle$, where the parameters $u$ and $v$ vary over a parameter domain in the $uv$-plane

regular parameterization

parameterization $\vecs r(u,v) = \langle x(u,v), \, y(u,v), \, z(u,v)\rangle$ such that $r_u \times r_v$ is not zero for point $(u,v)$ in the parameter domain

surface area

the area of surface $S$ given by the surface integral $$\iint_S \,dS$$

surface integral

an integral of a function over a surface

surface integral of a scalar-valued function

a surface integral in which the integrand is a scalar function

surface integral of a vector field

a surface integral in which the integrand is a vector field

Contributors and Attributions

• Gilbert Strang (MIT) and Edwin “Jed” Herman (Harvey Mudd) with many contributing authors. This content by OpenStax is licensed with a CC-BY-SA-NC 4.0 license. Download for free at http://cnx.org.