Volume of ice cream cone triple integral

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the triple integral for the volume between a hemisphere centered at z=1 and a cone with angle α. The original poster attempts to express the radius of the hemisphere in terms of the angle α and has explored the integral in cylindrical and Cartesian coordinates, but is struggling with the spherical coordinates approach.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the challenges of deriving the equation for ρ in spherical coordinates and question the necessity of using this coordinate system. There are attempts to clarify the hemisphere's equation and its relation to the angles involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants suggest that using spherical coordinates may be the most straightforward approach, while others express concerns about the complexity involved. There is an ongoing exploration of the hemisphere's equation and its implications for the integral setup.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of missing components in the hemisphere formula, and the discussion reflects uncertainty about the radius of the hemisphere and its standardization in the context of the problem.

Panphobia
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Homework Statement


Find the triple integral for the volume between a hemisphere centred at ##z=1## and cone with angle ##\alpha##.

The Attempt at a Solution



What I tried to do first was to get the radius of the hemisphere in terms of the angle ##\alpha##. In this case the radius is ##\tan \alpha##. I already figured out this integral in cylindrical polar coordinates and Cartesian coordinates. I am having a lot of trouble with spherical coordinates. I am trying to get ##\rho## for the hemisphere by drawing the projection of the shape on the xz plane and trying to get a formula for a radial ray that hits the hemisphere. The formula for a circle that is shifted up by one is ##x^2+(z-1)^2=\tan^2 \alpha##, this is the part where I am stuck trying to find the equation for ##\rho## in terms of the angle ##\phi## of the radial ray. The limits for ##\theta## and ##\phi## are really easy, but again ##\rho## I just can't seem to get.
 
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Do you need the integral in spherical coordinates? It is messy, and the other coordinate systems are much easier.

You are missing y2 in your hemisphere formula.
You can find z as function of the two angles, plug it into the equation for the hemisphere (in the right place) and solve for ρ.
 
mfb said:
Do you need the integral in spherical coordinates? It is messy, and the other coordinate systems are much easier.

You are missing y2 in your hemisphere formula.
You can find z as function of the two angles, plug it into the equation for the hemisphere (in the right place) and solve for ρ.
So I will have to use the quadratic formula to solve for ##\rho##?
 
I disagree with mfb on this problem. In fact spherical coordinates is the natural and easiest way to work this problem. You didn't state it in your problem but I assume you are talking about the upper half of the sphere of radius ##1## centered at ##(0,0,1)##. Its equation is ##x^2+y^2+(z-1)^2 = 1## or, expanding it, ##x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 2z##. If you change that to spherical coordinates you should get ##\rho = 2\cos\phi##. So the ##\rho,~\theta,~\phi## limits are all very easy.
 
How could you fix the radius of the half-sphere to 1?
 
mfb said:
How could you fix the radius of the half-sphere to 1?
I couldn't. I scanned it too quickly and assumed it was the "standard" problem you normally see in calculus books.
 

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