Vector Line Integrals

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity is designed to reinforce the geometry of both vector fields and line integrals; it also helps set the stage for path independence.
2. Students work in small groups to evaluate vector line integrals for several different vector fields along different paths.
3. The whole class wrap-up discussion reinforces the geometric interpretation of vector line integrals, emphasizing that different paths between the same points might or might not yield different results.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

• Practice with line intetgrals, setting the stage for path independence.
• Practice interpreting vector field maps.
• Nice followup to The Valley.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version

Student Handouts

vclinehand.pdf