Math Problem Statement

A spherical cell of radius r has volume V = (4/3)πr³ and surface area S = 4πr². Express V as a function of S. If S is quadrupled, what happens to r?

Solution

The problem involves a spherical cell with:

  • Volume: V=43πr3V = \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3
  • Surface Area: S=4πr2S = 4 \pi r^2

You are asked to:

  1. Express VV as a function of SS.
  2. Determine what happens to rr if SS is quadrupled.

Step 1: Expressing VV as a Function of SS

From the surface area formula:

S=4πr2S = 4 \pi r^2

Solve for r2r^2:

r2=S4πr^2 = \frac{S}{4 \pi}

Take the square root to find rr:

r=S4πr = \sqrt{\frac{S}{4 \pi}}

Substitute this expression for rr into the volume formula V=43πr3V = \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3:

V=43π(S4π)3V = \frac{4}{3} \pi \left( \sqrt{\frac{S}{4 \pi}} \right)^3

Simplify:

V=43π(S4π)3/2V = \frac{4}{3} \pi \cdot \left( \frac{S}{4 \pi} \right)^{3/2}

Factor out powers of π\pi and constants:

V=431(4π)3/2S3/2V = \frac{4}{3} \cdot \frac{1}{(4 \pi)^{3/2}} \cdot S^{3/2}

Simplified further:

V=16πS3/2V = \frac{1}{6 \sqrt{\pi}} S^{3/2}


Step 2: What Happens to rr When SS is Quadrupled?

If SS becomes 4S4S, substitute 4S4S into the formula for rr:

r=S4πr = \sqrt{\frac{S}{4 \pi}}

For S=4SS = 4S:

r=4S4π=4S4π=2S4πr = \sqrt{\frac{4S}{4 \pi}} = \sqrt{4} \cdot \sqrt{\frac{S}{4 \pi}} = 2 \cdot \sqrt{\frac{S}{4 \pi}}

So, rr doubles when SS is quadrupled.


Final Answers:

  1. V=16πS3/2V = \frac{1}{6 \sqrt{\pi}} S^{3/2}
  2. If SS is quadrupled, rr doubles.

Let me know if you'd like any clarifications or additional details!


Related Questions:

  1. How does the volume VV change when SS is doubled instead of quadrupled?
  2. Derive the relationship between surface area SS and radius rr.
  3. Explore the physical meaning of S3/2S^{3/2} in the context of spheres.
  4. Can you generalize this relationship for non-spherical shapes?
  5. What happens to VV if the radius rr triples?

Tip:

When solving for one variable in terms of another, always simplify expressions step-by-step to avoid mistakes with exponents and roots.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry of Spheres
Algebra
Exponents and Roots

Formulas

Volume of a sphere: V = (4/3)πr³
Surface area of a sphere: S = 4πr²
Relationship between V and S: V = (1/(6√π))S^(3/2)

Theorems

Square root and power rules in algebra

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12