Mass Given Density Function and Area

AI Thread Summary
A quarter disc of radius 3 cm has an areal density defined as (1.2 g/cm3)x + (0.7 g/cm3)y, and the goal is to determine its mass. Initial attempts using Cartesian coordinates resulted in an imaginary number, prompting a switch to polar coordinates. The updated density function was expressed as 1.2 r Cos[theta] + 0.7 r Sin[theta], but the calculated mass of 8.55 g was incorrect. A key error was identified in the area element for polar coordinates and the bounds for integration needed correction. Ultimately, the problem was resolved with community assistance.
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Homework Statement



A quarter disc of radius 3 cm lies in the first quadrant. The areal density is (1.2 g/cm3)x + (0.7 g/cm3)y. Determine the mass of this object.

Homework Equations



1_1.png


The Attempt at a Solution



For my bounds:
x: 0 to 3
y: 0 to Sqrt[3 - x^2]

2_1.png


When I took this integral I got 2.07846 + 5.87878 I, which is obviously an imaginary number. Any idea how to get a real number? I'm not sure where I'm going wrong-- I thought this was simple calculus 2.
 
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UPDATE: I have converted to polar coordinates, giving density = 1.2 r Cos[theta]+ 0.7 r Sin[theta]. Then I solved the following integral:

3_1.png


This gave me 8.55 g which was incorrect. Where am I going wrong?
 
Your bound for y is wrong, draw a diagram with your bounds (e.g. y as a function of x) and you'll see that's not the bounds of a circle quadrant. Hint: the relation is x^2 + y^2 = 3^2
 
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Emily Herschbein said:
UPDATE: I have converted to polar coordinates, giving density = 1.2 r Cos[theta]+ 0.7 r Sin[theta]. Then I solved the following integral:

3_1.png


This gave me 8.55 g which was incorrect. Where am I going wrong?
If you check the units of your expression, you'll see that they don't work out. Your mistake is in the area element for polar coordinates.
 
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UPDATE NO. 2:

I figured it out.

they.png
 
Thank you everyone for your help :)
 
You stumbled onto the correct answer, but your work isn't correct.
 
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