Center of Mass Calculus 2 Integration

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the center of mass for a uniform semicircle of radius R, specifically addressing the integration process in polar coordinates. The formula for the y-coordinate of the center of mass is given as $$y_{cm} = \frac{\int y\sigma dA}{\frac{\pi R^2}{2}}$$, where the area element in polar coordinates is $$dA = rdrd\phi$$. Participants identified a potential typo in the integral, questioning the presence of the term $y$ in the polar transformation and suggesting that the correct integral should involve $$\csc\phi$$ instead of $$\sin\phi$$. The consensus indicates that the computation contains an error that needs correction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinates and transformations
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Knowledge of the concept of center of mass in physics
  • Ability to interpret mathematical notation and integrals
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of center of mass for different geometric shapes
  • Learn about polar coordinate integration techniques
  • Study the implications of typos in mathematical computations
  • Explore the use of $$\csc\phi$$ in integrals involving trigonometric functions
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics and mathematics, particularly those studying integration techniques and applications in calculating centers of mass.

Dustinsfl
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Uniform semi circle of radius R whose diameter is on the x axis.
Since it is uniform and symmetric on the x axis, x = 0.
For y, we have
$$
y_{cm} = \frac{\int y\sigma dA}{\frac{\pi R^2}{2}}
$$
In polar, $dA = rdrd\phi$.
So the integral becomes
$$
\int_0^{\pi}\int_0^R y^2\sin\phi drd\phi
$$
How did we end up with an additionally $y$ and a $\sin\phi$?
 
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dwsmith said:
Uniform semi circle of radius R whose diameter is on the x axis.
Since it is uniform and symmetric on the x axis, x = 0.
For y, we have
$$
y_{cm} = \frac{\int y\sigma dA}{\frac{\pi R^2}{2}}
$$
In polar, $dA = rdrd\phi$.
So the integral becomes
$$
\int_0^{\pi}\int_0^R y^2\sin\phi drd\phi
$$
How did we end up with an additionally $y$ and a $\sin\phi$?

In this case,

\[\int y\,dA = \int_0^{\pi}\int_0^R (r\sin\phi)r\,dr\,d\phi =\int_0^{\pi}\int_0^Rr^2\sin\phi\,dr\,d\phi.\]

I don't see why you should have $y$ in your integral once you've converted everything to polar.
 
Chris L T521 said:
In this case,

\[\int y\,dA = \int_0^{\pi}\int_0^R (r\sin\phi)r\,dr\,d\phi =\int_0^{\pi}\int_0^Rr^2\sin\phi\,dr\,d\phi.\]

I don't see why you should have $y$ in your integral once you've converted everything to polar.

Maybe it was a typo. I was solving $y = r\sin\phi$ for r and couldn't get anything like that.
 
I came to the same conclusion as Chris L T521, so my vote is for typo too.
 
dwsmith said:
Maybe it was a typo. I was solving $y = r\sin\phi$ for r and couldn't get anything like that.

If they wanted it to have y terms in there, the integral would have to be $\displaystyle\int_0^{\pi}\int_0^R y^2\csc\phi\,dr\,d\phi$, not $\displaystyle\int_0^{\pi}\int_0^R y^2\sin\phi\,dr\,d\phi$.

Either way, there's a typo somewhere in their computation.
 

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