Surface area of a spherical cap by integration

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the formula for the surface area of a spherical cap using integration techniques. The equation of the sphere, given by x² + y² + z² = r², is utilized to determine the coordinates of the cap's edge, specifically x = √(r² - y²). The differential element 'ds' represents the arc length of the circle's circumference, which is essential for calculating the surface area. The application of Pappus' Centroid Theorem is also highlighted as a key method in this derivation.

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  • Understanding of spherical geometry and equations of spheres
  • Familiarity with integration techniques in calculus
  • Knowledge of arc length calculations
  • Basic principles of Pappus' Centroid Theorem
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  • Learn about the application of Pappus' Centroid Theorem in various contexts
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Moana
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hi guys,
i have a question.
i saw this picture, and i don't really understand how they derived with the formula. The aim is basically to find the formula for the surface area of a spherical cap.
why do you differentiate the x=sqrt(rˆ2-yˆ2)? how does that help to find the surface?

and then next, what role does 'ds' play in here ?
and how do you know that Sy= 2pi (∫cd) x ds?im really confused and appreciate your answers
 

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Moana said:
hi guys,
i have a question.
i saw this picture, and i don't really understand how they derived with the formula. The aim is basically to find the formula for the surface area of a spherical cap.
why do you differentiate the x=sqrt(rˆ2-yˆ2)? how does that help to find the surface?

and then next, what role does 'ds' play in here ?
and how do you know that Sy= 2pi (∫cd) x ds?im really confused and appreciate your answers
It looks like the surface area of the cap is being calculated using the arc length of part of the semi-circle whose altitude is h in the upper hemisphere.

Since the equation of the sphere is x2 + y2 + z2 = r2, where r is the radius of the sphere, a cross section of the sphere in the x-y plane will be a circle having the equation x2 + y2 = r2. The lower edge of the cap is located at y = r - h below the top of this circle on the y-axis. The x location corresponding to this is ##x = \sqrt{r^2-y^2}##. Once you know x and y, you can calculate the length of a small segment of the circumference of this circle, ds. The rest of the calculation is an application of Pappus' Centroid Theorem:

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PappussCentroidTheorem.html

Here, ds has a centroid which is located at x units from the y-axis, which also serves as the axis of revolution for this calculation.
 

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