Gravity due a hemispherical planet

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of gravitational acceleration due to a hemispherical planet, specifically deriving the formula \( g = \frac{\pi G \rho R}{3} \). The initial mistake identified was using \( R^2 \) in the denominator instead of \( r^2 \) when calculating the gravitational contribution from differential volume elements. The correct approach incorporates the variable distance \( r \) from the origin, leading to the accurate integration of gravitational effects across the hemispherical volume.

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Yalanhar
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Homework Statement
find the acceleration due to gravity at the centre of a solid hemisphere.
Relevant Equations
##dg=\frac {GMdm}{r^2}##
Can someone help me? I am not sure where is my mistake

correct answer:
##g=\pi G\rho R##

my calculus
By symmetry, I only need to add the vertical component of gravity
##dg = \frac {GMdm}{d^2}\cdot cos\theta## (1) Where d=R
##\rho =\frac{dm}{dV} ##
##dm = \rho \cdot dV## (2)

(2) in (1)

##dg = \frac {G \rho cos\theta dV}{R^2}##

for spherical coordinate $$dV = r^2drsin\theta d\theta d\phi$$

so:
##dg=\frac {G\rho }{R^2} r^2dr sin\theta cos\theta d\theta d\phi##

##g=\frac {G\rho}{R^2} \int_0^R r^2 \, dr \int_0^\frac {\pi}{2} sin\theta cos\theta \, d\theta \int_0^{2\pi} \, d\phi##

##g = \frac {G\rho}{R^2} \cdot \frac{R^3}{3} \cdot \frac {1}{2} \cdot 2\pi##

##g = \frac {G\rho R\pi}{3}##

##g=\frac {\pi G\rho R}{3}##
 
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Yalanhar said:
Can someone help me? I am not sure where is my mistake

Here is your mistake.
Yalanhar said:
##dg = \frac {G \rho cos\theta dV}{R^2}##
Not all elements ##dV## are at distance ##R## from the origin. The denominator should be ##r^2##.
 
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kuruman said:
Here is your mistake.

Not all elements ##dV## are at distance ##R## from the origin. The denominator should be ##r^2##.
oh yes. I got it now. Thanks!
 

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