Volume of sphere using integration?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the volume of a sphere using definite integration techniques. Participants confirm that the volume can be derived by integrating the area of infinitesimal disks stacked along the x-axis, leading to the integral expression ∫π(r² - x²)dx from -r to r. Additionally, the conversation highlights the use of triple integrals in spherical coordinates, specifically the volume element r²sin(θ)drdθdφ, to compute the volume of a sphere. The final result aligns with the established formula for the volume of a sphere, 4/3πr³.

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  • Understanding of definite integration
  • Familiarity with the formula for the volume of a sphere
  • Knowledge of Cartesian and spherical coordinates
  • Basic proficiency in using LaTeX for mathematical expressions
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  • Learn about the derivation of the volume of a sphere using integration techniques
  • Study the concept of triple integrals in spherical coordinates
  • Explore the application of LaTeX for typesetting mathematical formulas
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Prasun-rick
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Is it possible to find the volume of a sphere(i know the formula) using definite integration ? And if possible how to proceed ??
Thanks in advance
 
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Prasun-rick said:
Is it possible to find the volume of a sphere(i know the formula) using definite integration ? And if possible how to proceed ??
Thanks in advance
Hello Prasun-rick, :welcome:

Wat is the formula you know ? And what do you know of integration ? Does ##\iiint dV ## mean anything to you ?
 
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Well I only know the geometrical formula of volume of the sphere (i.e frac{4/3}pi*r^3)..and I only happen to know integration in one dimension ..though your integral didn't make any sense ! What I will have to do to understand that??
 
In that case (working the three dimensional integral into a one-dimensional integral): do you know the volume of a disk that is obtained by revolving a rectangle around one of its sides ? (disk thickness a and radius b when revolving around the x-axis in the figure below)
upload_2016-8-8_10-1-4.png
 
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No sir I am afraid I don't know that ! Maybe the derivation is above my scope ! Btw thanks for your valuable comments ! I will get back when I have done the volume Integral of the disk to you for further discussion .
 
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/104413
Maybe I confused you. The result of this revolution is a disk like this and that volume is relatively easy to express in a and b ...
 
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BvU said:
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/104413
Maybe I confused you. The result of this revolution is a disk like this and that volume is relatively easy to express in a and b ...
Can you just pose the integral equation of the volume of the figure you posted !
 
Prasun-rick said:
Can you just pose the integral equation of the volume of the figure you posted !
It's not an integral. It's a disk. I lost the picture, here it is again, with the question: what is the volume, expressed in a and b ?:

upload_2016-8-8_14-21-12.png
 
Will it be pi*b^2*a??
 
  • #10
It certainly is ! Now we are going to slice a sphere with radius r into disks of thickness ##dx##. What will be the volume of the disk at ##x## ?

upload_2016-8-8_14-34-30.png
 
  • #11
Maybe this is better :
upload_2016-8-8_14-37-37.png
 
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  • #12
  • #13
Perfect. Next step: we are going to add up all these disks from -r to +r and if we take the limit for ##dx\downarrow 0## we get an integral. Can you write down that integral ? (it's an easy question, because you have almost all of it already...)
 
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  • #14
BvU said:
Perfect. Next step: we are going to add up all these disks from -r to +r and if we take the limit for ##dx\downarrow 0## we get an integral. Can you write down that integral ? (it's an easy question, because you have almost all of it already...)
yeah maybe ∫pi*(r^2-x^2)dx with integral limits from -r to r ??
 
  • #15
Bingo
 
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  • #16
BvU said:
Bingo
Thanks :smile:
 
  • #17
Prasun-rick said:
Thanks :smile:
But what is that
JavaScript:
/iiint dV
and how to solve it ??
 
  • #18
It means you want to sum up infinitesimal volume elements ##dV##. A volume like a sphere has three dimensions, so three integrations are necessary. In cartesian coordinates you get the volume of a cube at the origin with size ##a## from $$
\int\limits_0^a \int\limits_0^a\int\limits_0^a dxdydz = a^3$$For a sphere the limits are unwieldy in cartesian, but comfortable in spherical coordinates. A volume element is ##r^2drd\phi d\theta## (##\theta## is azimuthal) so you get $$
\int\limits_0^{2\pi} \int\limits_0^\pi \int\limits_0^R \; r^2 \sin\theta \;dr \;d\theta \; d \phi = \\
2\pi \int\limits_0^\pi \int\limits_0^R \; r^2 \sin\theta \;dr \; d\theta =
4\pi \int\limits_0^R \; r^2 \; dr = \ ...
$$

(There are alternative notations, like ##\ \int\limits_{\rm Volume} d^3 V\ ##)

[edit] corrected order of ##d## in expressions but I think I still have it wrong. Need to check if we work outside in or inside out o:)
 
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  • #19
BvU said:
It means you want to sum up infinitesimal volume elements ##dV##. A volume like a sphere has three dimensions, so three integrations are necessary. In cartesian coordinates you get the volume of a cube at the origin with size ##a## from $$
\int\limits_0^a \int\limits_0^a\int\limits_0^a dxdydz = a^3$$For a sphere the limits are unwieldy in cartesian, but comfortable in spherical coordinates. A volume element is ##r^2drd\phi d\theta## (##\theta## is azimuthal) so you get $$
\int\limits_0^{2\pi} \int\limits_0^\pi \int\limits_0^R \; r^2 \sin\theta \;d\phi d\theta dr = \\
2\pi \int\limits_0^\pi \int\limits_0^R \; r^2 \sin\theta \;d\theta dr =
4\pi \int\limits_0^R \; r^2 \; dr = \ ...
$$

(There are alternative notations, like ##\ \int\limits_{\rm Volume} d^3 V\ ##)
Is it okay for me to learn triple integral now?? And if yes then where to start??
 
  • #20
Prasun-rick said:
Is it okay for me to learn triple integral now?? And if yes then where to start??
And please teach me how to give such prominent integral sign like the ones you are typing
!?
 
  • #21
You get to see the ##\LaTeX## source if you right-click on a formula and choose 'Show math as ##TeX## commands' ...
Prasun-rick said:
Is it okay for me to learn triple integral now?? And if yes then where to start??
Depends on what book or curriculum you are following; hard for me to answer. But it's always good to satisfy one's curiosity (is my opinion).
 
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