Surface area of a shifted sphere in spherical coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the surface area of a sphere that has been shifted in the z direction, using spherical coordinates. The original poster presents the equations and their attempts to solve the problem, which includes integrating over specific boundaries.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the surface area using the sphere's equation and spherical coordinates, leading to an integral setup. Some participants question the choice of variables in the integral, suggesting a potential oversight regarding the parametrization. Others note the need to recalculate the metric for the new setup, indicating that the assumption of a constant ρ may be incorrect.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and questioning the assumptions made in the original approach. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to reconsider the parametrization and the metric involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the correctness of the integral setup and the implications of the sphere's shift on the calculations. There is a recognition that the problem may not be as straightforward as initially thought.

MilkyWay2020
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Homework Statement



find the surface area of a sphere shifted R in the z direction using spherical coordinate system.

Homework Equations



$$S= \int\int \rho^2 sin(\theta) d\theta d\phi$$

$$x^2+y^2+(z-R)^2=R^2$$

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to use the sphere equation mentioned above and solve for ρ, using the definition of ρ and z in spherical coordinate system, this gives me:

$$x^2+y^2+z^2+R^2-2 R z= R^2$$
$$\rho^2-2 R \rho cos(\theta)= 0$$
$$\rho= 2 R cos(\theta)$$

then substitute in the integral:

$$S= \int\int 4 R^2 cos(\theta)^2 sin(\theta) d\theta d\phi$$

and integrate with the following boundaries:

θ: 0 → π/2
Φ: 0 → 2π

this gives a wrong answer of:

$$\frac{8 \pi R^2}{3}$$

What am I missing? This is a very basic problem but I cannot put my hand on the mistake.
 
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MilkyWay2020 said:

Homework Statement



find the surface area of a sphere shifted R in the z direction using spherical coordinate system.

Homework Equations



$$S= \int\int \rho^2 sin(\theta) d\theta d\phi$$

$$x^2+y^2+(z-R)^2=R^2$$

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to use the sphere equation mentioned above and solve for ρ, using the definition of ρ and z in spherical coordinate system, this gives me:

$$x^2+y^2+z^2+R^2-2 R z= R^2$$
$$\rho^2-2 R \rho cos(\theta)= 0$$
$$\rho= 2 R cos(\theta)$$

then substitute in the integral:

$$S= \int\int 4 R^2 cos(\theta)^2 sin(\theta) d\theta d\phi$$
With your choice of variables shouldn't that be a ##\sin\phi## in the integral?
 
You need to recalculate the metric for the new parametrization. Your form of the integral implicitly assumes ##\rho=\text{constant}##.
 
Haborix said:
You need to recalculate the metric for the new parametrization. Your form of the integral implicitly assumes ##\rho=\text{constant}##.

I was afraid someone would post this specific answer. I had my doubts, but I thought the problem is too easy to get complicated. I think I was wrong about that.

Thank you, I am able to find the solution I am looking for.
 
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