Double integration calculation

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the volume of a sphere using double integrals in polar coordinates. The integral presented initially only accounts for the northern hemisphere, which is why the result is half of the expected volume. To correctly compute the full volume, the integration limits for the radial component should be adjusted to run from -a to +a. The correct volume calculation involves integrating over the full range of r, theta, and phi, leading to the established formula of (4/3)*pi*R^3 for the volume of a sphere. The surface area can be calculated separately using the appropriate surface element integration.
Fys
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
I want to calculate the integral of a sphere with radius a using double integrals

I have z^2+y^2+x^2=a and I plug this in my equation and integrate in polar coördinates

Now i have \int^{2\pi}_{0} \int ^{a}_{0} \sqrt{(a-r^{2})} rdrd\theta

But why do I need to multiply my integral with 2 (because i get half the answer I expect).
Can someone explain this please?

thanks guys
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I assume that it is the volume of the sphere which you wish to calculate.

In polar coordinates, the volume element is dr * (r * dtheta) * {r * sin(theta) * dphi}.
Or r2 *dr * sin(theta) * dtheta * dphi.

This must be integrated for r between 0 (the midpoint) and R (the surface), for theta between 0 (the north pole) and pi (the south pole) and phi between zero (setting out from some meridian eastward) and 2*pi (arriving at the same meridian from the west).

The integrals can be split.
Integrating r2dr between 0 and R, we get (1/3)R3.
Integrating sin(theta) dtheta between 0 and pi we get 1 - (-1) = 2.
Integrating dphi between 0 and 2*pi, we get 2*pi.

Multiplying, we get (4/3)*pi*R3.

If you want the surface of the sphere, you use the surface element (R*dtheta) *{R*sin(theta)*dphi}, just do the theta and phi integration, and get 4*pi*R2.

Looking at your own method, I get the impression that you are only calculating the volume of the northern hemisphere. The inner integral should run fron -a to +a, not from 0 to +a.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
6K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K