Finding the volume of a sphere sliced by a plane

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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