Sphere-Cylinder Volume: Using Cylindrical Shells Method for Solid Calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the volume of a solid formed by drilling a cylindrical hole through a sphere using the method of cylindrical shells. The sphere has a radius of 3, and the cylindrical hole has a radius R, with the solid being 6 cm high.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriate integral form for the volume calculation and question the variables involved, particularly the use of 'r' in the context of the problem. There is also a mention of correcting the integrand to include a square root term.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the setup of the integral and the variables involved. Some participants express uncertainty about their calculations, while others provide feedback on the correctness of the integrals presented. There is no explicit consensus on the final answer, but guidance has been offered regarding the integral form.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of the dimensions involved, particularly the height of the solid and the radius of the cylindrical hole, as well as the potential implications of these dimensions on the volume calculation.

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Homework Statement


A cylindrical hole of radius R is drilled through the center of a sphere of radius 3. Use the method of cylindrical shells to find the volume of the remaining solid, given that the solid is 6 cm. high.


Homework Equations


V= ∫2* ∏rh dr (shell method)


The Attempt at a Solution



I think this is the form to be used for this problem, but I am probably mistaken.
2 * ∫2* ∏ * x (R^2 - x^2) dx with a= r and b= R
4∏ ∫x (R^2 - x^2) dx

Then I'm stumped on how to do this :/ Thank you for your help.
 
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Justabeginner said:

Homework Statement


A cylindrical hole of radius R is drilled through the center of a sphere of radius 3. Use the method of cylindrical shells to find the volume of the remaining solid, given that the solid is 6 cm. high.


Homework Equations


V= ∫2* ∏rh dr (shell method)


The Attempt at a Solution



I think this is the form to be used for this problem, but I am probably mistaken.
2 * ∫2* ∏ * x (R^2 - x^2) dx with a= r and b= R
4∏ ∫x (R^2 - x^2) dx

Then I'm stumped on how to do this :/ Thank you for your help.

You have a = r but there is no r in the problem. Do you mean a = 3? Otherwise your integral looks OK, so just integrate it.

[Edit] That should be ##\sqrt{R^2-x^2}## in that integrand.
 
Last edited:
Oh wow, I see what I did wrong. So my final answer turns out to be

4/3 * pi (R^2 - 9) ^(3/2)

Is this correct? Thank you.
 
Justabeginner said:
Oh wow, I see what I did wrong. So my final answer turns out to be

4/3 * pi (R^2 - 9) ^(3/2)

Is this correct? Thank you.

I didn't notice you left off the square root over the ##R^2-x^2## in your integral formula, but apparently you had it correct on your paper since that looks like the right answer.
 
Great, thank you so much! I feel more confident about how to do these problems now :)
 
One interesting corollary of this problem is that if you know the length of the cylindrical hole you can determine the volume remaining without knowing any other dimensions.
 
Thank you for your insight on that. I will keep that in mind if I ever come across such a problem again.
 

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