Volume of sphere cut by two parrallel planes

[Koranzite]

Homework Statement

A sphere of radius R with centre at the origin is cut by two parallel planes at z=\pm a, where a<R. Write, in cylindrical coordinates, a triple integral which gives the volume of that part of the sphere between the two planes. Evaluate the volume by first performing the r,θ integrals and the the remaining z integral.

Homework Equations

dV=rdrdθdz

The Attempt at a Solution

The main probelm here is the setting up of my integral, as the answer I am getting is independant of R, which is then clearly wrong.

My integral runs from:
r=\sqrt{R^2-a^2} to r=\sqrt{R^2-z^2}
θ=0 to θ=2\pi
z=-a to z=a

I would expect the answer to depend on R, but it keeps cancelling out when I evaluate the r integral. I would be grateful if someone could explain what is wrong with my limits.

 

[Dick]

I think r should go from 0 to \sqrt{R^2-z^2}. Shouldn't it?

 

[Koranzite]

Well that is certainly true to get the formula for the volume of the whole sphere, but in this case the minimum value that r takes is \sqrt{R^2-a^2}. Your proposal is one that I have considered, but I don't see how it can be justified.

 

[Dick]

Well that is certainly true to get the formula for the volume of the whole sphere, but in this case the minimum value that r takes is \sqrt{R^2-a^2}.

You already have the z limits from -a to a. Doesn't that take care of the a dependency? You may be visualizing the r coordinate wrong. It's the distance from the z axis to the edge of your solid parallel to the x-y plane.

 

[Koranzite]

Ah yes, just recognised the problem. I was only imagining r as being the distance to the surface from the z axis, neglecting all the interior volume where it can reduce to 0... Thanks!

 

[Dick]

Ah yes, just recognised the problem. I was only imagining r as being the distance to the surface from the z axis, neglecting all the interior volume where it can reduce to 0... Thanks!

Right. Your original limits would be for the volume of a sphere with a cylinder cut out of it. Interesting that the R cancels, isn't it? You might not guess that to be true looking a picture of it.