Finding the volume of a sphere sliced by a plane

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SUMMARY

The volume of the region above the plane z = 2 and inside the sphere defined by the equation x² + y² + z² = 9 is calculated using spherical coordinates and results in a volume of 8π/3. The integration setup involves a triple integral in spherical coordinates, specifically ∫₀²π ∫₀ᵃ ∫₂³ ρ² sin(φ) dρ dφ dθ, where the limits for ρ are determined by the intersection of the sphere and the plane. For a more straightforward approach, cylindrical coordinates can also be utilized, leading to the integral V = ∫₂³ ∫₀√(9-z²) ∫₀²π r dθ dr dz.

PREREQUISITES
  • Spherical coordinates and their applications in volume calculations
  • Understanding of triple integrals and their limits
  • Knowledge of cylindrical coordinates and their volume elements
  • Graphing functions in three dimensions
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to set up and evaluate triple integrals in spherical coordinates
  • Explore cylindrical coordinates for volume calculations in three-dimensional spaces
  • Investigate graphing utilities for visualizing three-dimensional functions, such as Wolfram Alpha
  • Study the relationship between spherical and Cartesian coordinates for better integration setups
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focused on multivariable calculus, as well as educators and anyone interested in mastering volume calculations of three-dimensional shapes.

tasveerk
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Homework Statement


What is the volume of the region above the plane z = 2 and inside the sphere x2 +y2 +z2 = 9.


Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution


I am trying to use a spherical triple integral. I am mainly having trouble finding ∅.
This is what I have been trying ∫arccos(2/3)02∏32 ρ2sin∅dpdθp∅
The answer is 8∏/3. I am pretty sure there are errors in my setup
 
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You should plot the graph to help you visualize the volume and its boundaries.
Using spherical coordinates:
\iiint {\rho}^2 \sin \phi \,.d\rho d\phi d\theta

Then describe the region (the crucial step in determining the limits):
For \phi and \theta fixed, \rho varies from \frac{2}{\cos \phi} to 3
For \theta fixed, \phi varies from 0 to \cos^{-1} \frac{2}{3}
\theta varies from 0 to 2∏

In order to get the exact answer, you need to work with the inverse angles accordingly, without using their decimal counterparts, which will obviously give you a decimal answer.
 
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Would you mind explaining where you got 2/cos∅ from? Also, can you recommend a good utility to graph these functions?
Thanks!
 
tasveerk said:
Would you mind explaining where you got 2/cos∅ from?
Thanks!

What is the definition of z in terms of spherical coordinates?
Example, x in terms of spherical coordinates is given by: \rho \sin \phi \cos \theta

tasveerk said:
Also, can you recommend a good utility to graph these functions?

Personally, i just draw them on paper, and i recommend you do the same, unless you're allowed to bring special graphing equipments with you in the exams.
Maybe you could try this: http://www.wolframalpha.com/
Although, i think someone else might be better able to advise you on finding the best software for graphing in 3D.
 
The integration would be much easier in cylindrical coordinates. The volume element can be the thin slice of thickness dz at height z with radius ρ=√(9-z2).


ehild
 

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Using ehild's suggestion, you would get:

\iiint rdrd\theta dz

Description of region:
For r and θ fixed, z varies from z=\sqrt{(9-r^2)} to z=3.
For θ fixed, r varies from r=0 to r=√5
θ varies from 0 to 2∏

You should get the same answer.
 
I meant the integral
V=\int_2^3{\int_0^{\sqrt{9-z^2}}{r \int_0^{2\pi}{d\theta}dr}dz}
which is equivalent to integrating the volume element dV=ρ2πdz with respect to z from z=2 to z=3 where ρ=√(9-z^2)

V=\pi\int_2^3{(9-z^2)dz}

ehild
 
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