Math Problem Statement

evaluate the integral ∫∫∫v dzdydx over the sphere x^2 +y^2 +z^2 =a^2

Solution

The given problem is to evaluate the triple integral:

Vdzdydx\iiint_V dz\, dy\, dx

over the volume of a sphere x2+y2+z2=a2x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = a^2.

Step 1: Convert to spherical coordinates

The equation of the sphere x2+y2+z2=a2x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = a^2 suggests that spherical coordinates are the most suitable for this problem. The relations between Cartesian and spherical coordinates are as follows:

x=rsinθcosϕ,y=rsinθsinϕ,z=rcosθx = r \sin \theta \cos \phi, \quad y = r \sin \theta \sin \phi, \quad z = r \cos \theta

where:

  • rr is the radial distance,
  • θ\theta is the polar angle (measured from the positive zz-axis),
  • ϕ\phi is the azimuthal angle (measured from the positive xx-axis).

The volume element in spherical coordinates is:

dV=r2sinθdrdθdϕdV = r^2 \sin \theta \, dr \, d\theta \, d\phi

Step 2: Set the limits of integration

For a full sphere, the limits of integration are:

  • rr varies from 00 to aa,
  • θ\theta varies from 00 to π\pi,
  • ϕ\phi varies from 00 to 2π2\pi.

Step 3: Write the integral in spherical coordinates

The triple integral over the volume of the sphere in spherical coordinates becomes:

Vdzdydx=02π0π0ar2sinθdrdθdϕ\iiint_V dz\, dy\, dx = \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^\pi \int_0^a r^2 \sin \theta \, dr \, d\theta \, d\phi

Step 4: Evaluate the integral

1. Integrate with respect to rr:

0ar2dr=[r33]0a=a33\int_0^a r^2 \, dr = \left[ \frac{r^3}{3} \right]_0^a = \frac{a^3}{3}

2. Integrate with respect to θ\theta:

0πsinθdθ=[cosθ]0π=(11)=2\int_0^\pi \sin \theta \, d\theta = \left[ -\cos \theta \right]_0^\pi = -(-1 - 1) = 2

3. Integrate with respect to ϕ\phi:

02πdϕ=2π\int_0^{2\pi} d\phi = 2\pi

Step 5: Combine the results

Now, multiply the results of each step:

a33×2×2π=4πa33\frac{a^3}{3} \times 2 \times 2\pi = \frac{4\pi a^3}{3}

Final Answer:

The value of the triple integral over the volume of the sphere is:

Vdzdydx=4πa33\iiint_V dz\, dy\, dx = \frac{4\pi a^3}{3}

This is the volume of the sphere, which makes sense since the integrand is simply 1 (as we were integrating dzdydxdz \, dy \, dx, which is the volume element in Cartesian coordinates).


Do you want more details or have any further questions?

Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How would you evaluate the same integral over a hemisphere?
  2. What happens if the limits on θ\theta are different, e.g., from 00 to π2\frac{\pi}{2}?
  3. How would the integral change if the integrand was zz instead of 1?
  4. Can you explain how to derive the volume element r2sinθdrdθdϕr^2 \sin \theta \, dr \, d\theta \, d\phi in spherical coordinates?
  5. How would you calculate the surface area of the sphere using spherical coordinates?

Tip: When solving integrals over regions with symmetry, such as spheres, converting to spherical or cylindrical coordinates simplifies the process significantly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Multivariable Calculus
Spherical Coordinates
Triple Integrals

Formulas

Spherical coordinates: x = r sin(θ) cos(φ), y = r sin(θ) sin(φ), z = r cos(θ)
Volume element in spherical coordinates: dV = r^2 sin(θ) dr dθ dφ

Theorems

Triple Integration in Spherical Coordinates
Volume of a Sphere

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Calculus