MHB Integrating (triple) over spherical coordinates

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The discussion focuses on setting up a triple integral in spherical coordinates to find the volume bounded by two hemispherical surfaces. The initial integral provided is identified as cylindrical rather than spherical, prompting a clarification on the correct volume element in spherical coordinates. The bounding solids are hemispheres centered at the origin, with the upper hemisphere having a radius of 2 and the lower one a radius of 1. Due to the constraints of x and y being non-negative, the integration limits for the angles are adjusted to reflect only the first octant, resulting in a quarter circle for the longitudinal angles and the top half for the latitudinal angles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying spherical coordinates to solve the problem.
MorallyObtuse
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Hi,

Set up the triple integral in spherical coordinates to find the volume bounded by $$z = \sqrt{4-x^2-y^2}$$, $$z=\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}$$, where $$x \ge 0$$ and $$y \ge 0$$.

$$\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^2 \int_{-\sqrt{4-x^2-y^2}}^{\sqrt{4-x^2-y^2}} r\ dz\ dr\ d\theta$$
 
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I don't think you're using spherical coordinates yet - your integrals look more like cylindrical. This problem could probably be done either way, but the problem did say to use spherical. So, assuming that $\varphi$ is the azimuthal angle, and $\theta$ is the polar angle (some authors switch these two), your volume element is given by
$$dV=r^2 \sin(\theta) \, dr \, d\varphi \, d\theta.$$
Can you continue from here?
 
Taylor Kane said:
Hi,

Set up the triple integral in spherical coordinates to find the volume bounded by $$z = \sqrt{4-x^2-y^2}$$, $$z=\sqrt{1-x^2-y^2}$$, where $$x \ge 0$$ and $$y \ge 0$$.

$$\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^2 \int_{-\sqrt{4-x^2-y^2}}^{\sqrt{4-x^2-y^2}} r\ dz\ dr\ d\theta$$

You should also note that both of the bounding solids are hemispheres centred at the origin, the top being of radius 2 and the bottom of radius 1.

But because we are told x >= 0 and y >= 0, we are only going to be in the first octant.

That means your longitudinal angles do NOT sweep out a full circle, they will only sweep out a quarter circle. Your latitudinal angles only sweep out the top half.
 
There are probably loads of proofs of this online, but I do not want to cheat. Here is my attempt: Convexity says that $$f(\lambda a + (1-\lambda)b) \leq \lambda f(a) + (1-\lambda) f(b)$$ $$f(b + \lambda(a-b)) \leq f(b) + \lambda (f(a) - f(b))$$ We know from the intermediate value theorem that there exists a ##c \in (b,a)## such that $$\frac{f(a) - f(b)}{a-b} = f'(c).$$ Hence $$f(b + \lambda(a-b)) \leq f(b) + \lambda (a - b) f'(c))$$ $$\frac{f(b + \lambda(a-b)) - f(b)}{\lambda(a-b)}...

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