Evalute surface area of top hemisphere

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the surface area of the top hemisphere, specifically focusing on the integration process and the appropriate use of variables and coordinates in the context of surface integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster discusses their confusion regarding the integration limits and the use of dS versus dA in the context of surface area calculations. They explore converting to polar coordinates and express uncertainty about their final integral formulation. Another participant questions whether the focus should be on calculating the surface integral of a specific function rather than the surface area itself.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively revising their calculations and interpretations. There is a recognition of potential missteps in the original approach, and some guidance is being offered regarding the nature of the integral to be evaluated. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes considerations about the correct setup for the surface integral and the implications of using different coordinate systems. There is mention of a specific function to be integrated over the hemisphere, which adds complexity to the problem.

DryRun
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Evaluate surface area of top hemisphere

Homework Statement
http://s1.ipicture.ru/uploads/20120106/jrHc5122.jpg

The attempt at a solution

This problem is new to me, in the sense that the integration is to be done against S, which is the same region S, over which the limits are defined. Usually, the region and the d.w.r.to is different. For example, it is typical to use D as the underset and then dA instead of dS. dA is to find the area, but i would assume that dS means the same?

The projection is done on the xy-plane so z = g(x,y) is the equation of the surface.
So, making z the subject of formula:
[tex]z=\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}[/tex]
[tex]f_x=\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}=\frac{-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}}[/tex]
[tex]f_y=\frac{\partial z}{\partial x}=\frac{-y}{\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}}[/tex]

[tex]SA=\underset{S}{{\iint}} \sqrt{1+(f_x)^2+(f_y)^2}\: dA[/tex]
[tex]\sqrt{1+(f_x)^2+(f_y)^2} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}}[/tex]

The boundaries for circular region S:
For x fixed, y varies from y=0 to [itex]y=√(1−x^2)[/itex]
x varies from x=0 to x=1

Since it's a circular region, i should convert to polar coordinates for easier integration:

For θ fixed, r varies from 0 to 1.
θ varies from 0 to 2∏

The integrand is converted to polar coordinates form:
[tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-r^2}}[/tex]

[tex]Surface\; area\;of\;S=\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^1 \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-r^2}}\,.rdrd\theta[/tex]

For some reason, my final integral above is wrong, as I'm supposed to get this instead:
[tex]Surface\; area=\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^1 r^2\,.rdrd\theta[/tex]

I just followed the standard procedure for finding the surface area, but there is the integrand from the original equation itself that i have not included in that integral, [itex](x^2+y^2)z[/itex] and i have no idea how.

I'm going to try and convert it to polar coordinates as well:
[itex](x^2+y^2)z=r^2\sqrt{1-r^2}[/itex]

By instinct, I'm just going to multiply this converted integrand with the other integrand, which gives me [itex]r^2[/itex] and this gives me the correct answer! Was that a fluke or did i follow the right steps?
 
Last edited:
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It seems to me that you need to calculate the surface integral of f(x,y,z)=(x2+y2)z on the top semisphere instead of the surface area of the semisphere. Am I right?

ehild
 
Hi ehild!

I have revised my calculations in the first post.
 
Last edited:
sharks said:
Hi ehild!

I have revised my calculations in the first post.

It is correct now.

ehild
 

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