(Iterated Integrals) Volume between a Cone and a Sphere

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the volume between a cone defined by the equation x = √(y² + z²) and a sphere described by x² + y² + z² = 4. The context is set within the study of iterated integrals and spherical coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to solve the problem using spherical coordinates, expressing confusion about the solid in question and exploring two different interpretations of the volume. Some participants question the limits of integration and suggest that the limits in multiple integrals often depend on the values of preceding variables.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the setup of the integrals and the interpretation of the geometric shapes involved. There is a recognition of the need to reassess the bounds and the nature of the solid being analyzed, with some guidance offered regarding the limits of integration in spherical coordinates.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of potential misinterpretation of the solid's shape, with the original poster realizing they may have been calculating the volume of a square cone rather than the intended cone with a spherical top. The discussion includes various coordinate systems and their implications for setting up the integrals.

MrMaterial
Messages
33
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


This is a book problem, as follows: Find the volume between the cone x = \sqrt{y^{2}+x^{2}} and the sphere x^{2}+y^{2}+z^{2} = 4


Homework Equations


spherical coordinates:
p^{2}=x^{2}+y^{2}+z^{2}
\phi = angle from Z axis (as I understand it)
\theta = angle from x or y axis

The Attempt at a Solution



I am confused on what solid they are referring to, so I will do it in two different ways.

I will first solve it assuming it is the volume of the cone (cone with spherical top)



It seems obvious that this is best solved using spherical coordinates.

First looking at the cone, it is a cone that appears on its side as it travels in the direction of the x axis.
Looking at the sphere, it is simply a sphere centered at the origin with a radius of \sqrt{4}


At this point I start setting up the triple integral.

\int\int\intp^{2}sin(\phi)dpd\phid\theta

p is going to go from 0 to \sqrt{4}
\phi is going to go from \pi/4 to 3\pi/4
θ is going from -\pi/4 to \pi/4

Then i punch it into the calculator and I get 4\pi(\sqrt{2}/3)

The book answer is 16\pi((\sqrt{2}-1)/(3\sqrt{2}))

For my second answer I will assume they want me to find the volume of the sphere, then subtract my former answer (the cone with spherical top)

First I will find the volume of the sphere

p is going to go from 0 to \sqrt{4}
\phi is going to go from 0 to \pi
θ is going from 0 to 2\pi

punch it into the ol' calculator and I get 32\pi/3

then I subtract my previous answer and I get

27.59

The book answer to this problem in decimal form is 9.815


So I must have found the volume of the wrong solid, or i set up my integrals wrong? Can any of you tell by looking at my work?

thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi MrMaterial! :smile:
MrMaterial said:
\int\int\intp^{2}sin(\phi)dpd\phid\theta

p is going to go from 0 to \sqrt{4}
\phi is going to go from \pi/4 to 3\pi/4
θ is going from -\pi/4 to \pi/4

So I must have found the volume of the wrong solid, or i set up my integrals wrong?

(btw, you do know what √4 is don't you? :biggrin:)

(i assume you mean x = √(y2 + z2))

i] You've missed a fundamental feature of limits in multiple integrals …

only the first limits are always between fixed values,

the next limits usually depend on the value of the first variable :wink:

ii] Also, in this case wouldn't it be a lot easier if you took your x axis as φ = 0 instead of the usual z axis ? :wink:
 
For x, y, z (rectangular) coordinates the limits on all three integrals are constants only if the region is a rectangular solid. For cylindrical coordinates the limits on all three integrals are constants only if the region is a cylinder. For spherical coordinates, the limits on all three integrals are constants only if the region is a sphere.
 
ok so it turns out that i was actually finding more of a square cone (piece of a sphere) rather than an actual cone with a spherical top.

Now taking the comments into consideration i will find where both functions intersect.

After substituting and whatnot I get that the sphere and the cone intersect at 2 = z^{2}+y^{2}



Now i am going to reset the bounds on my dpd\phid\theta integral.

well I converted x = \sqrt{y^{2}+z^{2}} to spherical coordinates and solved for p and here's my guess as to what that bound will look like:
p goes from \sqrt{(1-tan(\theta)^{2})/(cos(\phi)^{2})} to 2

I couldn't seem to find \phi in terms of \theta so i set the remaining bounds to

\phi goes from \pi/4 to 3\pi/4
\theta goes from \pi/4 to -\pi/4

I also decided to do cartesian coordinates at one point!

for an integral of dxdydz I have the bounds:

x goes from \sqrt{z^{2}+y^{2}} to \sqrt{4-y^{2}-z^{2}}
y goes from -\sqrt{2-z^{2}} to \sqrt{2-z^{2}}
and z goes from 0 to \sqrt{2}

do any of these look right? I would evaluate them but my classpad isn't up to the task and I don't feel like doing all the pencil work if they aren't going to be right!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K