Vector area

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Vector area" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

In 3-dimensional geometry and vector calculus, an area vector is a vector combining an area quantity with a direction, thus representing an oriented area in three dimensions.

Every bounded surface in three dimensions can be associated with a unique area vector called its vector area. It is equal to the surface integral of the surface normal, and distinct from the usual (scalar) surface area.

Vector area can be seen as the three dimensional generalization of signed area in two dimensions.