[Math] Proof of generalization of Divergence theorem

integrationmultivariable-calculus

I looked around the Web for a proof of what I have heard called "the Divergence theorem". However, it seems this name implies three-dimensionality, as all I could find was a series of proofs like this which work in $\mathbb{R}^3$. What I would like a proof of is:

Divergence Theorem

If $\Omega\subseteq\mathbb{R}^n$ is a bounded $\mathcal{C}^1$ domain and $\underline w\in\mathbb{C}^1(\overline\Omega)$ is a field, then:

$$\int\limits_\Omega\operatorname{div}\underline wdV=\int\limits_{\partial\Omega}\underline w\cdot\nu d\sigma,$$

$\nu$ being the outward unit normal and $d\sigma$ the surface measure.

While we are at it, it would be nice to have an idea of where this surface measure comes from. I have been told a $\mathcal{C}^k$ hypersurface is a hypersurface locally described as the locus of zeros of a function $F\in\mathcal{C}^k(\mathbb{R}^n,\mathbb{R})$ with everywhere nonzero gradient, and that thus locally a derivative of $F$, say the $j$th, is always nonzero so by the implicit function theorem we can represent $x_j=\phi(x_1,\dotsc,x_{j-1},x_{j+1},\dotsc,x_n)$ and have the hypersurface as the locus where $x_j=\phi(\text{the other coordinates})$, and that with that the surface measure is $\sqrt{1+|\nabla\phi(x)|^2}dx_1\dotsc dx_{n-1}$. How is this expression found?

Best Answer

There are two generalizations that imply your result. One is that of Green's identities, and the other is the generalized Stokes' theorem. I would advise that you look for a proof of the first of Green's identities.

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