Math Problem Statement

Find the coordinates of the center of mass of the following solid with variable density. RequalsStartSet left parenthesis x comma y comma z right parenthesis : 0 less than or equals x less than or equals 4 comma 0 less than or equals y less than or equals 3 comma 0 less than or equals z less than or equals 3 EndSet​; rho​(x,y,z)equals1 plus StartFraction x Over 3 EndFraction

Solution

To find the coordinates of the center of mass of a solid with a variable density, we use the following steps. The center of mass is given by the coordinates (xˉ,yˉ,zˉ)( \bar{x}, \bar{y}, \bar{z} ), where:

xˉ=1MRxρ(x,y,z)dV\bar{x} = \frac{1}{M} \int \int \int_{R} x \rho(x, y, z) \, dV yˉ=1MRyρ(x,y,z)dV\bar{y} = \frac{1}{M} \int \int \int_{R} y \rho(x, y, z) \, dV zˉ=1MRzρ(x,y,z)dV\bar{z} = \frac{1}{M} \int \int \int_{R} z \rho(x, y, z) \, dV

Here, MM is the total mass of the solid, which is given by:

M=Rρ(x,y,z)dVM = \int \int \int_{R} \rho(x, y, z) \, dV

Step 1: Define the region RR

The region RR is the solid defined by: 0x4,0y3,0z30 \leq x \leq 4, \quad 0 \leq y \leq 3, \quad 0 \leq z \leq 3

Step 2: Density function ρ(x,y,z)\rho(x, y, z)

The density function is given by: ρ(x,y,z)=1+x3\rho(x, y, z) = 1 + \frac{x}{3}

Step 3: Compute the total mass MM

The total mass is: M=040303(1+x3)dzdydxM = \int_0^4 \int_0^3 \int_0^3 \left(1 + \frac{x}{3}\right) dz \, dy \, dx First, integrate with respect to zz: 031dz=3,03x3dz=x3×3=x\int_0^3 1 \, dz = 3, \quad \int_0^3 \frac{x}{3} \, dz = \frac{x}{3} \times 3 = x Thus, the integral becomes: M=0403(3+x)dydxM = \int_0^4 \int_0^3 (3 + x) \, dy \, dx Now integrate with respect to yy: 033dy=9,03xdy=3x\int_0^3 3 \, dy = 9, \quad \int_0^3 x \, dy = 3x So the integral is now: M=04(9+3x)dxM = \int_0^4 (9 + 3x) \, dx Now integrate with respect to xx: 049dx=36,043xdx=3×x2204=3×8=24\int_0^4 9 \, dx = 36, \quad \int_0^4 3x \, dx = 3 \times \frac{x^2}{2} \Big|_0^4 = 3 \times 8 = 24 Thus, the total mass is: M=36+24=60M = 36 + 24 = 60

Step 4: Compute xˉ\bar{x}

xˉ=1M040303x(1+x3)dzdydx\bar{x} = \frac{1}{M} \int_0^4 \int_0^3 \int_0^3 x \left( 1 + \frac{x}{3} \right) dz \, dy \, dx First, compute the zz-integral: 031dz=3,03x3dz=x\int_0^3 1 \, dz = 3, \quad \int_0^3 \frac{x}{3} \, dz = x So the integral becomes: xˉ=1600403x(3+x)dydx\bar{x} = \frac{1}{60} \int_0^4 \int_0^3 x(3 + x) \, dy \, dx Now integrate with respect to yy: 03x(3+x)dy=3x(3+x)\int_0^3 x(3 + x) \, dy = 3x(3 + x) Thus, the integral becomes: xˉ=160043x(3+x)dx\bar{x} = \frac{1}{60} \int_0^4 3x(3 + x) \, dx Expanding: 3x(3+x)=9x+3x23x(3 + x) = 9x + 3x^2 Now integrate with respect to xx: 049xdx=9×x2204=9×8=72\int_0^4 9x \, dx = 9 \times \frac{x^2}{2} \Big|_0^4 = 9 \times 8 = 72 043x2dx=3×x3304=3×21.33=64\int_0^4 3x^2 \, dx = 3 \times \frac{x^3}{3} \Big|_0^4 = 3 \times 21.33 = 64 Thus: xˉ=160×(72+64)=13660=2.267\bar{x} = \frac{1}{60} \times (72 + 64) = \frac{136}{60} = 2.267

Step 5: Compute yˉ\bar{y}

Since the density function does not depend on yy, the center of mass in the yy-direction will be at the midpoint: yˉ=12×(0+3)=1.5\bar{y} = \frac{1}{2} \times (0 + 3) = 1.5

Step 6: Compute zˉ\bar{z}

Similarly, since the density function does not depend on zz, the center of mass in the zz-direction will be at the midpoint: zˉ=12×(0+3)=1.5\bar{z} = \frac{1}{2} \times (0 + 3) = 1.5

Final Answer

The coordinates of the center of mass are approximately: (2.27,1.5,1.5)\boxed{(2.27, 1.5, 1.5)}

Would you like any details or further clarifications?

Related questions:

  1. How would the center of mass change if the density function depended on yy as well?
  2. What would happen to the center of mass if the region were not a rectangular prism?
  3. How would the total mass change if the density function increased more steeply with xx?
  4. Can you compute the center of mass of a cylindrical region with variable density?
  5. What if the density function were ρ(x,y,z)=1+x+y+z\rho(x, y, z) = 1 + x + y + z? How would that affect the center of mass?

Tip: When the density function is symmetric in some variables, the center of mass in those directions often lies at the midpoint of the region.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Center of Mass
Triple Integration
Variable Density Function

Formulas

Center of mass: (x̄, ȳ, z̄)
Total mass: M = ∫∫∫_R ρ(x, y, z) dV
x̄ = (1/M) ∫∫∫_R xρ(x, y, z) dV
ȳ = (1/M) ∫∫∫_R yρ(x, y, z) dV
z̄ = (1/M) ∫∫∫_R zρ(x, y, z) dV

Theorems

Multivariable Integration
Center of Mass Formula

Suitable Grade Level

University-level (Multivariable Calculus)