Volume of sphere using integration?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of deriving the volume of a sphere using definite integration. Participants explore various integration techniques, including one-dimensional and three-dimensional integrals, while discussing the geometric interpretation of volumes related to disks and spheres.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about finding the volume of a sphere using definite integration, acknowledging familiarity with the formula for volume.
  • Another participant asks about the known formula and the understanding of integration, introducing the concept of volume elements.
  • A participant expresses limited knowledge of integration, particularly in higher dimensions, and seeks clarification on the integration process.
  • Discussion includes the concept of revolving a rectangle to form a disk and the subsequent volume calculation of that disk.
  • Participants discuss the volume of a disk and confirm the formula for the volume of a disk as ##\pi b^2 a##.
  • There is a progression towards slicing a sphere into disks and calculating the volume of these disks, leading to a proposed integral of ##\int \pi (r^2 - x^2) dx##.
  • Participants explore the concept of triple integrals and the challenges of calculating volumes in different coordinate systems, particularly spherical coordinates.
  • Questions arise about learning triple integrals and how to format mathematical expressions using LaTeX.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to derive the volume of a sphere using integration, but there is no consensus on the understanding of triple integrals or the best way to learn them. Multiple views on the integration process and its complexities are present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty regarding the transition from one-dimensional to three-dimensional integration and the specific limits of integration when dealing with spherical coordinates. There are also unresolved questions about the notation and formatting of integrals.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in mathematical integration techniques, particularly in the context of geometry and volume calculations, as well as those seeking to understand the application of triple integrals.

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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