
10
Green’s Theorem in P otential Theory
In this chapter Green’s first second and third identities are defined. Using
Green’s theorem one can arrive at Poisson’s equation. Gauss’ theorem of total
normal induction in gravity field, estimation of mass of a subsurface body
from gravitational potential are g iven. It could be shown that the basic for-
mula of analytical continuation of potential field can be derived from Green’s
theorem. Two dimensional nature of the Green’s identities are shown The-
ory of Green’s equivalent layer which explains the ambiguity in interpretation
of gravitational potentials is discussed. Application of Green’s theorem for
deriving Green’s function and analytical continuation are respectively given
in Chaps. 14 and 16. Nature of the vector Green’s theorem is shown.
10.1 Green’s First Identity
Let a region R includes the Vol. V en closed by the sur face S. Let φ (x, y, z)
and ψ (x, y, z) are two scalar functions and we assume that both ψ and φ are
continuous and have non-zero first and second derivatives(Fig. 10.1).
We can define a vector in the form
F=φ grad ψ (10.1)
Since
div
a
A
=adiv
A+
A grad a (10.2)
where a and
A are respectively a scalar and a vector. Applying divergence
operation on b oth the sides of (10.1), we get,
div
F = grad φ grad ψ + φ div grad ψ. (10.3)
Integrating both the sides, we get
ϑ
div
Fd ν =
ϑ
(grad φ grad ψ)dν +
ϑ
φ∇
2
ψdv. (10.4)