Need help in finding COM of a hollow hemisphere

In summary, the student tries to calculate the COM of a hemisphere, but is unable to find the correct answer. He is then helped by a tutor who explains that integration is used to find the correct answer.f
  • #1

navneet9431

Gold Member
107
9

Homework Statement


Hey everyone,
I'm studying for my physics and came across a question for the COM of a hemisphere.I made my attempt to calculate the COM.

Homework Equations


cmp3.gif


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to calculate the y coordinate of COM this way,please go through it-
IMG_20180819_180220.jpg

But,I am unable to reach the correct result.Please help me to proceed further!
I will be thankful for any help.
 

Attachments

  • cmp3.gif
    cmp3.gif
    5 KB · Views: 621
  • IMG_20180819_180220.jpg
    IMG_20180819_180220.jpg
    63.2 KB · Views: 310
  • #2
##dy## in your drawing is not actually ##dy##. ##dy## would be a vertical line. That angled line ##ds## is longer, do you see that? Use ##\theta## to find its length. Then I think you'll get it.
 
  • #3
##dy## in your drawing is not actually ##dy##. ##dy## would be a vertical line. That angled line ##ds## is longer, do you see that? Use ##\theta## to find its length. Then I think you'll get it.
Thanks but I can see how dy is a vertical line!
Can you send a rough diagram showing that?
 
  • #4
Thanks but I can see how dy is a vertical line!
Can you send a rough diagram showing that?

##dy## is the thickness of the disc. ##ds## is the length of the edge. Do you understand?
 
  • Like
Likes navneet9431
  • #5
##dy## is the thickness of the disc. ##ds## is the length of the edge. Do you understand?
Ok!
So what should I use for calculating the area of the element?
Should I use dy?
 
  • #6
Ok!
So what should I use for calculating the area of the element?
Should I use dy?

This should be in your book at some point. It'll explain why it works that way. But you need to use ##ds## or it won't give you the right answer.
 
  • Like
Likes navneet9431
  • #7
This should be in your book at some point. It'll explain why it works that way. But you need to use ##ds## or it won't give you the right answer.
This is the main problem!
My textbook nowhere explains why it works that way.
Can I get a bit of expalantion about why it works that way?
 
  • #8
This is the main problem!
My textbook nowhere explains why it works that way.
Can I get a bit of expalantion about why it works that way?

Do you need a better book? It's not my policy to explain what a book could explain better anyway. Sorry.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
IMG_20180820_012419.jpg

See the image.
These are the horizontal slices of the element ds as shown in the pic.
I think I have made the diagram correct as dy is the horizontal thickness and ds is the thickness of the edge.
So,if we see logically then it would be incorrect to calculate the area of the element this way, area of the element= 2*pi*y*cot(theta)*d(s) as the thickness of edge of each slice of the element marked on the hemisphere is different.
So calculating the area of the element this way must be wrong,Am I correct?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180820_011950.jpg
    IMG_20180820_011950.jpg
    82.5 KB · Views: 330
  • IMG_20180820_012419.jpg
    IMG_20180820_012419.jpg
    39.8 KB · Views: 214
  • #12
2*pi*y*cot(theta)*d(s)
I think you mean 2πx (the radius is horizontal in the diagram) and it should not be cot. ds is the hypotenuse.
 

Suggested for: Need help in finding COM of a hollow hemisphere

Replies
6
Views
571
Replies
5
Views
540
Replies
1
Views
595
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
902
Replies
9
Views
310
Replies
17
Views
987
Back
Top