Volume inside sphere, outside cylinder

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume inside a sphere defined by the equation x² + y² + z² = 16 and outside a cylinder defined by x² + y² = 4, using polar coordinates. Participants explore different methods for setting up the integral and addressing potential issues in the original reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an initial approach to find the volume by subtracting the volume of the cylinder from the volume of the sphere, using a specific integral setup.
  • Another participant questions the interpretation of the integral involving √(16 - r²) and suggests finding the volume directly instead of calculating the "missing" volume.
  • A participant clarifies that √(16 - r²) represents the top half of the sphere in polar coordinates.
  • Another participant proposes dividing the volume into horizontal slices and integrating to find the volume of each slice, suggesting a "washer" method with an inner radius of 2.
  • A later reply suggests determining the z-level at which the cylinder intersects the sphere and using spherical coordinates to calculate the volume of the caps, followed by subtracting this from the sphere's volume.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best method to calculate the volume, with no consensus on the most effective approach or the correctness of the initial reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note potential confusion regarding the setup of integrals and the interpretation of geometric elements, indicating that assumptions about the geometry may need clarification.

fishingspree2
Messages
138
Reaction score
0
Find the volume inside the sphere [tex]x^{2}+y^{2}+z^{z}=16[/tex] and outside the cylinder [tex]x^{2}+y^{2}=4[/tex]. Use polar coordinates.

The sphere's center lies at the origin. The region of integration is the base of the cylinder, the radius 2 xy disk [tex]x^{2}+y^{2}=4[/tex] and the two parts of the sphere are given by [tex]z=\pm\sqrt{16-x^{2}-y^{2}}[/tex]

Volume of sphere is 4 pi r^3 over 3 = 4 pi 4^3 over 3

Therefore:
Volume inside sphere but outside cylinder = [tex]\frac{4\pi 4^{3}}{3}-2\int_{0}^{2\pi}\int_{0}^{2}\left(\sqrt{16-r^{2}}\right)rdrd\theta[/tex]

What is wrong with my reasoning?
Thank you very much
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi fishingspree2! :smile:

(have a pi: π and a square-root: √ and an integral: ∫ and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)

What is your √(16 - r2) supposed to be? :confused:

(and why are you finding the "missing" volume? isn't it easier just to find the volume given?)
 
the √(16 - r2) is the top half of the sphere in polar coordinates

I thought about finding the volume directly but I don't know how to setup the integral.

thank you
 
fishingspree2 said:
the √(16 - r2) is the top half of the sphere in polar coordinates

Sorry, no idea what you mean … is that the length of something? :confused:
I thought about finding the volume directly but I don't know how to setup the integral.

Divide the volume into horizontal slices of height dz (each slice will be a "washer" with inner radius 2), find the volume of each slice, and integrate. :smile:
 
fishingspree2 said:
Find the volume inside the sphere [tex]x^{2}+y^{2}+z^{z}=16[/tex] and outside the cylinder [tex]x^{2}+y^{2}=4[/tex]. Use polar coordinates.

The sphere's center lies at the origin. The region of integration is the base of the cylinder, the radius 2 xy disk [tex]x^{2}+y^{2}=4[/tex] and the two parts of the sphere are given by [tex]z=\pm\sqrt{16-x^{2}-y^{2}}[/tex]

Volume of sphere is 4 pi r^3 over 3 = 4 pi 4^3 over 3

Therefore:
Volume inside sphere but outside cylinder = [tex]\frac{4\pi 4^{3}}{3}-2\int_{0}^{2\pi}\int_{0}^{2}\left(\sqrt{16-r^{2}}\right)rdrd\theta[/tex]

What is wrong with my reasoning?
Thank you very much

Hi, fishingspree!

It might be easier solving this by:

1. Determine at what z-level the cylinder intersects with the sphere:
[tex]x^{2}+y^{2}+z^{2}-16=0=x^{2}+y^{2}-4\to{z}^{2}=12\to{z}=\pm\sqrt{12}[/tex]

2. Determine the volume INSIDE this region, using spherical coordinates, for example, for the volume of the two caps (along with the easy calculation of the volume of the cylinder).

3. Subtract this volume from the sphere's volume.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K