Deriving the first moment of area of semicircle

AI Thread Summary
To derive the first moment of area Q for a semicircle with radius r, the correct approach involves integrating the area element dA correctly. The area A of the semicircle is given by A = (πr²)/2. The expression for dA should be dA = 2√(r² - y²) dy, which accounts for the semicircular shape. The integration of Q = ∫ y dA from y = 0 to y = r leads to the correct result of Q = (2r³)/3. Understanding the proper formulation of dA is crucial for deriving Q accurately for any shape.
Elbobo
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Homework Statement


Derive via integration the first moment of area Q of a semicircle with radius r.

Homework Equations


Q = \int_{A} y dA

A_{semicircle} = \frac{\pi r^{2} }{2}

The Attempt at a Solution


A = \frac{\pi r^{2} }{2}
A(y) = \frac{\pi y^{2} }{2}
dA = \pi y dy

Q = \int^{y=r}_{y=0} y dA
= \int^{r}_{0} \pi y^{2} dy
= \frac{\pi}{3} [y^{3}]^{r}_{0}

Q = \frac{\pi r^{3}}{3}But the answer is \frac{2 r^{3} }{3}, which my textbook derived from the equation Q = (area) \times (centroidal height). I want to know how to derive the Q for any shape without knowing its centroidal height beforehand. Can someone help me out with why I got a different and wrong answer?
 
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Elbobo: dA is not pi*y*dy. Hint: Shouldn't dA instead be, dA = 2[(r^2 - y^2)^0.5]*dy? Try again.
 
Sorry, I really don't understand why dA equals that. My A(y) must be wrong then? What should it be and why?
 
Elbobo: A(y) = integral(dA), integrated from y = y1 to y = r. In your particular case, y1 = 0.
 
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