What is the volume of a perfect cylinder under a plane?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a perfect cylinder of radius R and height h, specifically under a plane using integration techniques. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their approach and results, particularly in relation to the integration setup and the expected outcome.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the volume using integration in polar coordinates, questioning the validity of their answer compared to their expectations based on symmetry. Other participants inquire about the nature of the volume being discussed and provide feedback on the correctness of the original poster's calculations.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants affirming the original poster's calculations while others provide additional insights into the geometry of the problem. There is no explicit consensus, but the discussion appears to be moving towards clarifying the relationship between the calculated volume and the geometric setup.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a potential misunderstanding regarding the integration limits and the geometric interpretation of the shaded volume under the plane. There is also a correction made in terminology from 'shaded area' to 'shaded volume'.

Bill333
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Homework Statement


Hi ! :) I'm having some difficulties with the question below, in which there are numerous steps and I am unsure in which part(/s!) I have gone wrong.

The question is as below; you must via integration calculate the shaded volume of a perfect cylinder of radius R and height h. The question wants you to do it as an integration under a plane I believe, so I have attempted to do so.
scan0006.jpg

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Equation of a plane can be described by 3 points, which I have chosen as (0,R,h),(0,0,0) and (1,0,0). From this i have two vectors, A (0,-R,-h) and B(1,-R, -h) for which I have done the cross product to find the equation of a plane:
-hy +Rz= 0
I then integrate in polar coordinates over over the surface, which I believe is ∫∫z(x,y) dA = (h/R)∫∫r2sinθ dr dθ with the limits being 0≤ r ≤ R and 0 ≤ θ ≤π, which gives me the answer of 2R2h/3. I am dubious of this answer, as looking at the symmetry of the container I would assume it was (πR2/4)h.

Any clues towards where I went wrong would be highly appreciated!
Thanks in advance :)
Edit: Changed 'shaded area' to 'shaded volume'
 
Last edited:
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Hi,
Is Dan's share a volume fraction or an area ?
 
Hi! :)
A volume fraction of the cylinder, apologies; the shaded volume, not the shaded area!
 
I think your work and your answer are correct. The plane does not divide the left half of the cylinder into equal parts. If you calculate the volume of the half cylinder above the plane you will get ##\frac{R^2h\pi}{2}- \frac{2hR^2}{3}##.
 
Last edited:
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Ah, thank you very much LCKurtz!
 

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