Geometry problem: a cone meeting a cylindre.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Vilestag
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cone Geometry
AI Thread Summary
A cone is positioned on the z-axis with its apex at height h, intersecting a cylinder aligned along the x-axis, defined by the equations y² + z² = r² for the cylinder and x² + y² = (z-h)² tan(φ)² for the cone. The user seeks to determine the length of any straight line on the cone that lies within the cylinder and is looking for a theoretical expression for this length. They note the need for a third equation to find the coordinates of points on the line and express a desire to calculate the mean length of all lines for varying angles φ. Suggestions include using y = x tan(θ) to find the length and averaging over θ, while acknowledging the complexity of the problem. The discussion emphasizes the challenge of integrating the expression across all φ values.
Vilestag
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I have a cone on the z axis with his summit on height h meeting a cylinder on the x axis. The expressions should be:

cylinder: y2+z2=r2

cone: x2+y2 =(z-h)2tan(phi)2

If we consider any straight line on the cone, what is the length of this line inside the cylinder?

Is it possible to get a theoretical exprssion of this?

I tried the approche of the distance between two points, but i need a third equation to know the three coordinates of each points. Any ideas?

Thanks a lot,

Alx
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

Hi Alx! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(have a phi: φ :wink:)
Vilestag said:
cylinder: y2+z2=r2

cone: x2+y2 =(z-h)2tan(phi)2

… i need a third equation to know the three coordinates of each points

the third equation will be a linear one, for a particular line :smile:
 
Thanks for your response.

In fact, I need an expression of the length for ANY line if possible at all.

My problem goes much deeper: I need to find the mean length for all lines for all Φ...

All I have to do is to find an expression only in function of Φ and integrate it on all Φ. As simple as it sounds, I can't figure it out, because it's far from simple. I've done it in 2D (a triangle passing through a circle) and it worked, so i know my approach is good.

Anyway, I'll take any hint I get.

Tanks again,

Alx
 
Hi Alx! :smile:

I know it's complicated, but you'll just have to work through it. :redface:

Use y = xtanθ, find the length, and average over θ :wink:
 
Vilestag said:
cone: x2+y2 =(z-h)2tan(phi)2


I think you mean ...

x^2 + y^2 = \frac{(h-z)^2}{tan^2\phi}
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
Back
Top