Solving a Triple Integral with $\rho$ Constant

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a triple integral involving gravitational potential energy, specifically the integral $$ -\rho Gm\iiint\frac{r'^2\sin\theta}{\sqrt{R^2 + r'^2 - 2Rr'\cos\theta}}d\theta d\rho dr' $$ with specified limits for the variables. Participants explore various approaches to evaluate the integral and discuss the implications of their findings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that integrating with respect to $\rho$ (or $\phi$) simplifies the problem by multiplying by $2\pi$.
  • There are discussions about the interpretation of the variable $r'$ and its relationship to $R$ and $a$.
  • One participant presents a series of integrals leading to a potential energy expression, but questions arise about the validity of the assumptions made regarding the limits of integration.
  • Another participant points out that the expression $\sqrt{(r'-R)^2}$ does not equal $(r'-R)$ unless $r' > R$, prompting further examination of the conditions under which the integral is evaluated.
  • There is a suggestion that the attractive force inside a solid sphere is determined only by the subsphere between the observer and the center, with forces from the outer sphere canceling out.
  • Participants discuss the implications of taking limits as $R \to \infty$ and how that affects the evaluation of the integral.
  • One participant confirms that the expression for the integral can be simplified under certain conditions, leading to a specific form for the gravitational potential energy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the assumptions made regarding the limits of integration and the interpretation of variables. There is no consensus on the final evaluation of the integral, and multiple approaches and interpretations are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the evaluation of the integral depends on the relationships between $r'$, $R$, and $a$, and that certain assumptions may lead to different results. The discussion highlights the complexity of the integral and the need for careful consideration of the conditions under which it is evaluated.

Dustinsfl
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Anyone have any smooth ideas for this triple integral?
$$
-\rho Gm\iiint\frac{r'^2\sin\theta}{\sqrt{R^2 + r'^2 - 2Rr'\cos\theta}}d\theta d\rho dr'
$$
where $0<r'<a$, $0<\theta<\pi$, and $0<\rho<2\pi$.
The $\rho$ out front is constant.
 
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Re: triple integral

dwsmith said:
Anyone have any smooth ideas for this triple integral?
$$
-\rho Gm\iiint\frac{r'^2\sin\theta}{\sqrt{R^2 + r'^2 - 2Rr'\cos\theta}}d\theta d\rho dr'
$$
where $0<r'<a$, $0<\theta<\pi$, and $0<\rho<2\pi$.
The $\rho$ out front is constant.

Integrating for $\rho$ (shouldn't that be $\phi$?) is simply multiplying by $2\pi$.
Then integrate with respect to $\theta$.
To do so, consider what $\dfrac{\partial}{\partial \theta}\sqrt{R^2 + r'^2 - 2Rr'\cos\theta}$ is.
You'll be left with a pretty simple expression to integrate with respect to r'.

Finally you'll end up with the gravitational energy between a mass $m$ and a sphere (with radius $a$ and density $\rho$) at a distance R.
 
Last edited:
Re: triple integral

I like Serena said:
Integrating for $\rho$ (shouldn't that be $\phi$?) is simply multiplying by $2\pi$.
Then integrate with respect to $\theta$.
To do so, consider what $\dfrac{\partial}{\partial \theta}\sqrt{R^2 + r'^2 - 2Rr'\cos\theta}$ is.
You'll be left with a pretty simple expression to integrate with respect to r'.

Finally you'll end up with the gravitational energy between a mass $m$ and a sphere (with radius $a$ and density $\rho$) at a distance R.

Yes, it should be $\phi$.
 
Re: triple integral

I keep ending up with
\begin{alignat*}{3}
V & = & -2\pi\rho Gm\int_0^a\left[\sqrt{1 +\left(\frac{r'}{R}\right)^2-2\frac{r'}{R}\cos\theta}\right|_0^{\pi}dr\\
& = & -2\pi\rho Gm\int_0^a\left[\sqrt{\frac{(r' + R)^2}{R^2}} - \sqrt{\frac{(r' - R)^2}{R^2}}\right]dr\\
& = & -\frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a[r' + R - r' + R]dr\\
& = & -4\pi\rho Gm\int_0^a dr\\
& = & -4\pi\rho Gma
\end{alignat*}
Then $\rho = \frac{M}{V}$ so $V = -\frac{4\pi GMm a}{V}$ but I need to conclude $V = -\frac{GMm}{R}$.
 
Re: triple integral

dwsmith said:
I keep ending up with
\begin{alignat*}{3}
V & = & -2\pi\rho Gm\int_0^a\left[\sqrt{1 +\left(\frac{r'}{R}\right)^2-2\frac{r'}{R}\cos\theta}\right|_0^{\pi}dr\\
& = & -2\pi\rho Gm\int_0^a\left[\sqrt{\frac{(r' + R)^2}{R^2}} - \sqrt{\frac{(r' - R)^2}{R^2}}\right]dr\\
& = & -\frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a[r' + R - r' + R]dr\\
& = & -4\pi\rho Gm\int_0^a dr\\
& = & -4\pi\rho Gma
\end{alignat*}
Then $\rho = \frac{M}{V}$ so $V = -\frac{4\pi GMm a}{V}$ but I need to conclude $V = -\frac{GMm}{R}$.

Assuming you did the integral right ,it is impossible to get rid of (a) unless you have a value for it. May I ask what is r' ?
 
Re: triple integral

ZaidAlyafey said:
Assuming you did the integral right ,it is impossible to get rid of (a) unless you have a value for it. May I ask what is r' ?

r' is r
 
Re: triple integral

Notice $$\sqrt{(r'-R)^2}\not =(r'-R) $$ unless r'>R
 
Re: triple integral

Here is what I am working on. It is on page 1. Maybe there is something you will see that will help.
View attachment 657
 

Attachments

Re: triple integral

ZaidAlyafey said:
Notice $$\sqrt{(r'-R)^2}\not =(r'-R) $$ unless r'>R

How can I handle that then?
 
  • #10
Re: triple integral

Can we deduce from the figure that R>r' ?
 
  • #11
Re: triple integral

ZaidAlyafey said:
Can we deduce from the figure that R>r' ?

No because the differential volume can be anywhere. I just drew so that r' > R. As the distance between the planets go to infinity, $r'\to R$ but even doing that only yields:
$$
-\frac{Gma\pi(a+2R)\rho}{R}
$$
 
  • #12
Re: triple integral

Ok,what do you mean by a ? Is it the radius of M ?
 
  • #13
Re: triple integral

ZaidAlyafey said:
Ok,what do you mean by a ? Is it the radius of M ?

Yes
 
  • #14
Re: triple integral

\begin{alignat*}{3}
V & = & -\frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a r'\left[r' + R - \sqrt{(r' - R)^2}\right]dr'\\
& = & \frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a 2r'^2dr'\\
& = & -\frac{4Gma^3\rho\pi}{3R}\\
& = & -\frac{GMm}{R}
\end{alignat*}
Since $\rho = \frac{M}{V}$ where $V = \frac{4\pi r^3}{3}$, we have the desired result.
 
Last edited:
  • #15
Re: triple integral

Excellent , so you are choosing that R>r' , but what is the meaning of that ? Are you raking some unnecessary restrictions ?
 
  • #16
Re: triple integral

ZaidAlyafey said:
Excellent , so you are choosing that R>r' , but what is the meaning of that ? Are you raking some unnecessary restrictions ?

If we let $R\to\infty$, then $r'\to R$.
So I took r'=R
 
  • #17
Re: triple integral

dwsmith said:
If we let $R\to\infty$, then $r'\to R$.
So I took r'=R

That doesn't look quite correct.
If we let $R\to\infty$, then $r' \le a \ll R$.

But really, there is no need to do this.
Your formula works for any $R$ with $r' \le a \le R$.

Actually, the additionally interesting case is when $R < a$.
You can also calculate what happens then.
It should come out that $V = -\frac 4 3 \pi R^3 \rho \cdot \frac {Gm }{R}$.
That is, the attractive force when inside a solid sphere is completely determined by the subsphere between you and the center.
The forces by the part of the sphere that is on the outside cancel out.
 
  • #18
Re: triple integral

I like Serena said:
That doesn't look quite correct.
If we let $R\to\infty$, then $r' \le a \ll R$.

But really, there is no need to do this.
Your formula works for any $R$ with $r' \le a \le R$.

Actually, the additionally interesting case is when $R < a$.
You can also calculate what happens then.
It should come out that $V = -\frac 4 3 \pi R^3 \rho \cdot \frac {Gm }{R}$.
That is, the attractive force when inside a solid sphere is completely determined by the subsphere between you and the center.
The forces by the part of the sphere that is on the outside cancel out.

How do I go from the first integral to the second then?
\begin{alignat*}{3}
V & = & -\frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a r'\left[r' + R - \sqrt{(r' - R)^2}\right]dr'\\
& = & \frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a 2r'^2dr'
\end{alignat*}
Since $0 < r' < a < R$, we can write $\sqrt{(r' - R)^2} = \sqrt{(R - r')^2} = R - r'$??
 
  • #19
Re: triple integral

dwsmith said:
How do I go from the first integral to the second then?
\begin{alignat*}{3}
V & = & -\frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a r'\left[r' + R - \sqrt{(r' - R)^2}\right]dr'\\
& = & \frac{2\pi\rho Gm}{R}\int_0^a 2r'^2dr'
\end{alignat*}

If $R \ge r'$, then $\sqrt{(r' - R)^2} = |r' - R| = (R - r')$.
Substitute?

dwsmith said:
Since $0 < r' < a < R$, we can write $\sqrt{(r' - R)^2} = \sqrt{(R - r')^2} = R - r'$??


Yes!

 

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