Center of mass of a solid hemisphere (where's the error)?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of the center of mass of a solid hemisphere, where the user initially derived an incorrect result. The user mistakenly used the thickness of the disk as \( r \sin \theta d\theta \) instead of the correct \( r \cos \theta d\theta \). This error led to an incorrect calculation of the center of mass, which should be \( \frac{3R}{8} \) instead of the derived value. The correction highlights the importance of accurately determining the dimensions of the differential elements in integration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solid geometry and hemispheres
  • Familiarity with calculus, particularly integration techniques
  • Knowledge of center of mass concepts
  • Ability to work with trigonometric functions in geometric contexts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the center of mass for different geometric shapes
  • Learn about differential elements in calculus, focusing on their geometric interpretations
  • Explore applications of center of mass in physics, particularly in mechanics
  • Review trigonometric identities and their applications in integration
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics and engineering, particularly those studying mechanics and solid geometry, will benefit from this discussion. It is also useful for anyone involved in mathematical modeling of physical systems.

rahul.mishra
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
On finding the center of mass of a solid hemisphere i came up with some different result.

Here's what i did...

consider a small ring at a distance r from the center of the hemisphere and one more ring at a distance
of r+dr from center of the ring.

let, mass of the small element formed by the two rings be dm
so,

dm = http://data.artofproblemsolving.com/images/latex/1/8/9/189c6482a7f0b088a7d84607b3df5837533486eb.gif

Clearly by symmetry w.r.t origin taken Xcm = 0

now, Ycm = 1/M http://data.artofproblemsolving.com/images/latex/f/4/e/f4e81964f7df0126c6c05827f0d5f0b972fc5f45.gif = 1/M http://data.artofproblemsolving.com/images/latex/9/a/a/9aabc0767384d5b00970c757ff71f80cd37d11eb.gif

but we all know this is maybe absurd... its 3R/8 actually...

don't give me an alternate way... i know it gives the right result...
but where am i wrong in my soln?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
You made a little error: the thickness of the disk is not

$$
r d\theta
$$

but

$$
r\sin \theta d\theta
$$
- the disk has its height in y direction.
 
ya... got it.. but the thickness of the small element is rcosθdθ and not rsinθdθ maybe. I am quite sure as it gave me the correct result :) !
 
Ah, you're right, it's cos theta.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
Replies
27
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
8K