Confused by Spherical Wedge Graphing on z-y Plane

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the confusion regarding the graphical representation of a spherical wedge on the z-y plane in a triple integral context. Participants clarify that the lines forming angles $\phi_1$ and $\phi_2$ represent cones with a fixed angle relative to the z-axis. The specific placement on the z-y plane is for illustrative purposes, emphasizing that the angles can be oriented in any direction as long as they remain less than $\pi/2$. This understanding is crucial for accurately interpreting spherical coordinates in three-dimensional graphing.

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View attachment 4461

Part (a) is easy to do by setting up a triple integral, but for part (b), I was a bit confused by the diagram provided by the solutions manual:
View attachment 4462

Why is the spherical wedge (shaded) graphed on the z-y axis? In the most general case, shouldn't the two lines that form angle $\phi_1$ and $\phi_2$ be arbitrarily placed (such that $\phi < \pi /2$) and not necessarily lying on the z-y plane? Since it is to my understanding that $\phi$ is measured from the positive z-axis in any direction away from it, or did they draw it on the z-y plane for illustrative purposes?
 

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Last edited:
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Hey Rido! (Smile)

You're quite right. Those lines represent cones that have a fixed angle with the z axis.
Indeed, it's for illustrative purposes that only the intersection with the z-y-plane has been drawn. (Wasntme)
 

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