Arc area of a sphere? (a piece of r^2*sinθ*ΔrΔθΔφ)

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The discussion focuses on deriving the divergence formula in spherical coordinates by analyzing a small arc-volume around the point (r, θ, φ). The user is trying to compute the area of a curved surface with a normal vector pointing in the radial direction, as well as another surface with a normal vector in the polar direction. They express confusion over the calculations due to the curvature and the dependence on the angle θ. The user seeks assistance in accurately determining these surface areas. Clarification on these geometric calculations is requested to aid in their derivation process.
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Arc area of a sphere? (a piece of r^2*sinθ*ΔrΔθΔφ)

Hello, this is not a homework question. I'm trying to self-derive the divergence formula in spherical coordinates, and I'm doing this by taking a small arc-volume about the point (r,θ,φ), where r is the radial distance from the origin, θ is the polar angle from the positive z-axis, and φ is the azimuthal angle from the positive x-axis.

Consider a small slab of the sphere about (r,θ,φ). The volume of this small slab is: Δr*(r*Δθ)*(r*sinθ*Δφ). Consider the side of the slab that has the normal vector(to the surface) = +r(hat). How would I find the area of this surface? It is curved in two angles; I have no idea how to compute the area. If someone can show me how to compute this area, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have another area-portion that I can't figure out. Consider the surface with the normal vector = +θ(hat). I initially thought the area to this surface was \frac{1}{2}Δφ*(r+\frac{Δr}{2})2 - \frac{1}{2}Δφ*(r-\frac{Δr}{2})2 = r*Δr*Δφ

But I realized that i forgot the fact that this area will also be dependent upon θ. So can anyone help me out with these two surface areas? Thanks
 
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I edited the post, and now the LaTeX stuff isn't showing up :/. Here it is again, hopefully unbroken this time

\frac{1}{2}Δφ*(r+\frac{Δr}{2})2 - \frac{1}{2}Δφ*(r-\frac{Δr}{2})2 = r*Δr*Δφ
 
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