Calculating Volume of a Sphere Cap: What Am I Missing?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a spherical cap given a sphere of radius r and a cap height h. Participants are examining the integration process and algebraic manipulations involved in deriving the volume formula.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to set up an integral to find the volume but encounters a discrepancy between their result and the textbook answer. Some participants suggest re-evaluating the algebraic steps leading to the volume expression.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in the discussion, with one suggesting a re-examination of the algebra involved. The original poster acknowledges a mistake in their calculations, indicating a productive direction in the conversation.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication of potential confusion regarding the algebraic expansion and the integrand used in the integral setup. The original poster's concern about missing elements in their solution highlights the complexity of the problem.

GunnaSix
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Homework Statement


For a sphere of radius r find the volume of the cap of height h.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I can get it down to [tex]V \ = \ \pi \int_{r-h}^r (\pi r^2 - \pi y^2)dy \ = \ \pi {\left[(r^2y-\dfrac{1}{3} y^3) \right] }_{r-h}^r[/tex]

I expanded this to [tex]V=\pi (-\dfrac{2}{3} r^3+2r^2h-rh^2-\dfrac{1}{3}h^3)[/tex]

but the book has [tex]V=\pi h^2(r-\dfrac{1}{3} h)[/tex]

What am I missing/doing wrong?
 
Last edited:
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The calculus part is ok, except that you mistyped your integrand. The problem is in the algebra leading to your expression for V. For example, I can tell by looking at your integral expression that there shouldn't be any r^3 term in the result.
 
do the expansion again?
 
Yeah I got it. Forgot to carry the subtraction in the [tex](r-h)^3[/tex] expansion twice in a row and just assumed I was missing something instead of checking my algebra again. I should have seen that the [tex]r^3[/tex] expressions would cancel out. Sorry.
 

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