Question for divergence theorem

linear-pdemultivariable-calculusvector analysis

In general, the Divergence Theorem:

for a bounded domain $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^n$ with $C^1$ boundary $\partial \Omega$ and for a vector field $F \in C^1 (\overline \Omega),$
$$\int_\Omega \nabla \cdot F dx= \int_{\partial\Omega} F \cdot n dS$$
where $n$ is the unit outward normal to $\partial \Omega$.

I was wondering if the theorem holds for vector fields $F \in C^1(\Omega)\cap C(\overline \Omega).$ If this is true, for $u\in C^2(\Omega)\cap C^1(\overline \Omega),$ Green’s identities hold and Green’s representation formula for such $u$ (not in $C^2(\overline \Omega)$.

Please let me know if it is true and/or any reference for this question. Thanks in advance!

Best Answer

The conditions under which the divergence theorem holds can be much weaker than what you propose. We do not even need that the partial derivatives of the vector field be continuous on $\Omega$ -- bounded and Lebesgue integrable is sufficient.

There are even weaker forms. This paper by Bochner is a good starting point as a reference.

To see that continuity of the partial derivatives on the boundary is not necessary, consider the example (for the analogous Green's theorem) where $\Omega = [0,1]^2$ and

$$P(x,y) = 0 \\ Q(x,y) = \begin{cases}yx^2\sin(1/x), \, \, x \neq 0 \\ 0, \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, x = 0 \end{cases}$$

In this case, we have

$$\iint_{\Omega} \left(\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial P}{\partial y} \right)dA = \int_{\partial \Omega} P \,dx+Q\,dy $$

even though $\frac{\partial Q}{\partial x}$ is not continuous at points in $\{(x,y): x = 0, 0 < y \leqslant 1 \}$.