Finding mass from mass density of lamina

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the mass of a lamina using its mass density, which is defined in terms of area rather than volume. The original poster attempts to apply polar coordinates and integrate over a defined area, but there are questions about the setup and the definitions used in the equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriateness of using polar coordinates and the implications of the mass density being area-based. There are inquiries about the definitions of variables and the relationships between them, particularly concerning the dependence of density on different coordinates.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided guidance on interpreting the mass density and the geometry involved. There is an ongoing exploration of how to express the density and area elements in cylindrical coordinates, with some participants clarifying the relationships between the variables involved. The discussion is active, with participants seeking to refine their understanding of the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

There are constraints regarding the definitions of the variables and the coordinate systems being used. The original poster is under time pressure to complete the homework, which may influence the urgency of the discussion.

reminiscent
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Homework Statement


wlNsyAz.png


Homework Equations


m = ∫∫sρ(x,y,z)dS

The Attempt at a Solution


I used polar coordinates for this (is that necessary here)? I found zx and zy, took the cross product of those, and found it to be √(2). So dS = √2 dA.
√2 ∫02pi25r2drdθ = 78pi√2
 
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Polar coordinates are entirely appropriate: try cylindrical-polar and exploit the symmetry.
Don't know what you mean by ##z_x## and ##z_y## or the role you used ##dS## and ##dA## for.
You have to spell out your reasoning - different courses can use different conventions.

Since it is a lamina - the mass density is probably an area rather than a volume density; so ##dm = \rho\;d\!A## (check).
Here dA is an element of area lying on the surface of the cone and dm comes from: ##m=\int_{Area}\;dm##

To select a strategy you can feel confident with, 1st figure out what ##\rho## depends on.
Does it depend on r? z? ##\theta##? All of them? None of them? Which?
Then a good choice for the geometry of dA may present itself.
 
Simon Bridge said:
Polar coordinates are entirely appropriate: try cylindrical-polar and exploit the symmetry.
Don't know what you mean by ##z_x## and ##z_y## or the role you used ##dS## and ##dA## for.
You have to spell out your reasoning - different courses can use different conventions.

Since it is a lamina - the mass density is probably an area rather than a volume density; so ##dm = \rho\;d\!A## (check).
Here dA is an element of area lying on the surface of the cone and dm comes from: ##m=\int_{Area}\;dm##

To select a strategy you can feel confident with, 1st figure out what ##\rho## depends on.
Does it depend on r? z? ##\theta##? All of them? None of them? Which?
Then a good choice for the geometry of dA may present itself.
Doesn't it depend on all of them?
 
Simon Bridge said:
Polar coordinates are entirely appropriate: try cylindrical-polar and exploit the symmetry.
Don't know what you mean by ##z_x## and ##z_y## or the role you used ##dS## and ##dA## for.
You have to spell out your reasoning - different courses can use different conventions.

Since it is a lamina - the mass density is probably an area rather than a volume density; so ##dm = \rho\;d\!A## (check).
Here dA is an element of area lying on the surface of the cone and dm comes from: ##m=\int_{Area}\;dm##

To select a strategy you can feel confident with, 1st figure out what ##\rho## depends on.
Does it depend on r? z? ##\theta##? All of them? None of them? Which?
Then a good choice for the geometry of dA may present itself.
Okay I'm thinking about dA and would it be dzrdrdθ? The boundaries for z would be from z=2 to z=5, θ would be from 0 to 2pi, but what about r?
 
Back up a bit.
You have ##\rho(x,y,z)=\sqrt{x^2+y^2}## in post #1.
Notice how that equation does not have a z in it? That means that the value of ##\rho## does not depend on the value of ##z##.
Can you write that equation in terms of the cylindrical-polar coordinates?

Do the same for the equation of the cone.
 
Simon Bridge said:
Back up a bit.
You have ##\rho(x,y,z)=\sqrt{x^2+y^2}## in post #1.
Notice how that equation does not have a z in it? That means that the value of ##\rho## does not depend on the value of ##z##.
Can you write that equation in terms of the cylindrical-polar coordinates?

Do the same for the equation of the cone.
So it only depends on r and θ, correct?
p(x,y,z) = r
z = 6-r
 
OK - so you have ##\rho = r## ... look at what you wrote: is there a ##\theta## in that equation?

Note: ##\rho(x,y,z)=r## is a bit misleading because x,y,z belong to rectangular coords while the r is cylindrical. You could write ##\rho(r,\theta,z)=r##
 
Simon Bridge said:
OK - so you have ##\rho = r## ... look at what you wrote: is there a ##\theta## in that equation?
No... so it only depends on r?
I am getting confused on what to use now...
 
You are doing fine. The density only depends on the distance from the z-axis.
This means you could use a shortcut ... you only need dA to be the area of the surface of the cone between r and r+dr.
Technically you could also make dA the area of the cone between z and z+dz (sketch).

If the density depended on the angle as well, then you'd need dA to be the area of the cone between r and r+dr which is also between ##\theta## and ##\theta + d\theta##. You can still do it that way if it helps you think about it.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Simon Bridge said:
You are doing fine. The density only depends on the distance from the z-axis.
This means you could use a shortcut ... you only need dA to be the area of the surface of the cone between r and r+dr.

If the density depended on the angle as well, then you'd need dA to be the area of the cone between r and r+dr which is also between ##\theta## and ##\theta + d\theta##. You can still do it that way if it helps you think about it.
I think I see what you are saying... So since this is not dependent on z or theta, would the integrand just be rdr?
 
  • #11
No. the integrand is ##\rho\; d\!A##
The area on the cone between r and r+dr is circular so you'd expect to see a ##\pi## in there someplace right?
Did you draw a sketch?
 
  • #12
Simon Bridge said:
No. the integrand is ##\rho\; d\!A##
The area on the cone between r and r+dr is circular so you'd expect to see a ##\pi## in there someplace right?
Did you draw a sketch?
A cone with its center at (0,0,-6), but between the planes z=2 and z=5, is that correct?
 
  • #13
Simon Bridge said:
No. the integrand is ##\rho\; d\!A##
The area on the cone between r and r+dr is circular so you'd expect to see a ##\pi## in there someplace right?
Did you draw a sketch?
But pdA = rdr? Actually, would dA = dzrdr?
 
  • #14
Can anyone confirm I am thinking correctly? This homework is due tonight. ):
 
  • #15
reminiscent said:

Homework Statement


wlNsyAz.png


Homework Equations


m = ∫∫sρ(x,y,z)dS

The Attempt at a Solution


I used polar coordinates for this (is that necessary here)? I found zx and zy, took the cross product of those, and found it to be √(2). So dS = √2 dA.
If I understand what you did, you found ##dS = \sqrt{2}\,dx\,dy## since you differentiated with respect to ##x## and ##y##. Now if you want to use polar coordinates, you need to find the equivalent of ##dx\,dy## in terms of polar coordinates. Do you know what that is?

The other thing you need to do is figure out the bounds of integral. I've attached a top-down view of the lamina, so you can see its projection onto the xy-plane.
Untitled-1.png
 

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