# Definition:Line Integral

## Definition

Let $OA$ be a curve in a vector field $\mathbf F$.

Let $P$ be a point on $OA$.

Let $\d \mathbf l$ be a small element of length of $OA$ at $P$.

Let $\mathbf v$ be the vector induced by $\mathbf F$ on $P$.

Let $\mathbf v$ make an angle $\theta$ with the tangent to $OA$ at $P$.

Hence:

$\mathbf v \cdot \d \mathbf l = v \cos \theta \rd l$

where:

$\cdot$ denotes dot product
$v$ and $\d l$ denote the magnitude of $\mathbf v$ and $\d \mathbf l$ respectively.

The line integral of $\mathbf v$ along $OA$ is therefore defined as:

$\ds \int_O^A \mathbf v \cdot \d \mathbf l = \int_O^A v \cos \theta \rd l$

## Examples

### Work Done

Let $\mathbf F$ be a force acting as a point-function giving rise to a vector field $\mathbf V$.

Let $OA$ be a curve in $\mathbf V$ along which a particle $P$ is moved by $\mathbf F$.

Let $\d \mathbf l$ be a small element of length of $OA$ at $P$.

Then the work done by $\mathbf F$ moving $P$ from $O$ to $A$ is given by the line integral:

$\ds \int_O^A \mathbf F \cdot \d \mathbf l$

### Potential Difference

Let $\mathbf E$ be an electric field acting over a region of space $R$.

Let $OA$ be a curve in $R$.

Let $\d \mathbf l$ be a small element of length of $OA$ at a point $P$.

Then the potential difference between $O$ to $A$ is given by the line integral:

$\ds \int_O^A \mathbf E \cdot \d \mathbf l$

### Circulation of Fluid

Let $\mathbf v$ be the velocity within a body $B$ of fluid as a point-function.

Let $\Gamma$ be a closed curve in $B$.

Let $\d \mathbf l$ be a small element of length of $\Gamma$ at a point $P$.

Then the circulation of $B$ over $\Gamma$ is given by the line integral:

$\ds \int_\Gamma \mathbf v \cdot \d \mathbf l$

### Electromotive Force

Let $\mathbf E$ be an electromagnetic field acting over a region of space $R$.

Let $\Gamma$ be a closed curve in $R$.

Let $\d \mathbf l$ be a small element of length of $\Gamma$ at a point $P$.

Then the electromotive force in $\Gamma$ is given by the line integral:

$\ds \int_\Gamma \mathbf E \cdot \d \mathbf l$