# Setting up an integral (Spherical Coordinates)

1. Jul 14, 2016

### Tom2

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

To integrate a function (the function itself is not important) over the region Q. Q is bounded by the sphere x²+y²+z²=2 (ρ=sqrt2) and the cylinder x²+y²=1 (ρ=cscφ).

To avoid any confusion, for the coordinates (ρ,φ,θ), θ is essentially the same θ from polar coordinates in 2 dimensions while φ is the angle measured from the +z axis to ρ.

2. Relevant equations

Jacobian = ρ²sinφ

3. The attempt at a solution

I can see that the limits for ρ go from cscφ to sqrt2.
Also θ should go from 0 to 2pi.
But I'm not sure how to find the limits for φ (the book says it goes from pi/4 to 3pi/4). How is it justified?

2. Jul 14, 2016

### jambaugh

What you say about limits depends on the order of integration. You should establish that clearly first... and consider changing it if it makes setting up the limits come out easier.
Given both objects are symmetric under rotation in the x-y plane what you say about $\theta$ is exactly right regardless of the order of integration.

Next you must visualize the region in question. Since the radius of the sphere is greater than the cylinder clearly the cylinder passes through the sphere. This gives us actually two bounded regions. The interior of the sphere also interior to the cylinder and the interior of the sphere exterior to the cylinder. From what you've stated in the problem statement we can't be sure which of these regions you mean however the region inside the cylinder will have to be done in two parts if you use spherical coordinates. However the outer region (the spherical "love handle" around the cylinder) will work nicely in spherical coordinates and by your "I can see.." statement that's the case you're working and your $\rho$ limits are just right for integrating w.r.t. $\varphi$ after integrating w.r.t. $\rho$.

So then the question is what are the final limits for the polar angle. Again as the region of integration is the "love handle" and contains the equator of the sphere (in the x-y plane at $\varphi = \pi/2$) it is left to solve for the angles at which the cylinder and sphere intersect. Take a cross section containing the z-axis and you'll see a circle intersecting two parallel lines 1 unit each side of the z-axis in the z,r plane. The coordinates of that point are $(z,r) = (\sqrt{2}\cos(\varphi),\sqrt{2}\sin(\varphi)) = (z,1)$ so solve that equation for the angle and you get what the book says.