Triple Integrals in Alternative Coordinate Systems: Learn It 4
Integration in Spherical Coordinates
We now establish a triple integral in the spherical coordinate system, as we did before in the cylindrical coordinate system. Let the function [latex]{f}{({\rho},{\theta},{\varphi})}[/latex] be continuous in a bounded spherical box:
We then divide each interval into [latex]l[/latex], [latex]m[/latex], and [latex]n[/latex] subdivisions such that [latex]{{\Delta}{\rho} = {\frac{{b}-{a}}{l}}}[/latex], [latex]{{\Delta}{\theta} = {\frac{{\beta}-{\alpha}}{m}}}[/latex], and [latex]{{\Delta}{\varphi} = {\frac{{\psi}-{\gamma}}{n}}}[/latex].
For the volume element of the subbox [latex]{\Delta}{V}[/latex] in spherical coordinates, we have [latex]{\Delta}{V} = {({\Delta}{\rho})}{({\rho}{\Delta}{\varphi})}{({\rho} \sin \varphi{\Delta}{\theta})}[/latex], as shown in the following figure.
Figure 3. The volume element of a box in spherical coordinates.
Just as with cylindrical coordinates, we must account for how volume elements change in spherical coordinates. The volume element includes factors that account for the geometry of the spherical “wedge” shape that results from our subdivisions.
The triple integral in spherical coordinates is the limit of a triple Riemann sum:
Notice the extra factors of [latex]\rho^2\sin\varphi[/latex] in the sum. These come from the geometry of spherical coordinates and are essential for obtaining correct results.
converting triple integrals to spherical coordinates
If [latex]g(x, y, z)[/latex] is a continuous function in rectangular coordinates, then we can convert to spherical coordinates:
The volume element in spherical coordinates is [latex]dV = {\rho}^{2}\sin\varphi \, d{\rho} \, d{\varphi} \, d{\theta}[/latex].
Don’t Forget [latex]\rho^2\sin\varphi[/latex]!
When converting to spherical coordinates, the volume element [latex]dV[/latex] becomes [latex]{\rho}^{2}\sin\varphi , d{\rho} , d{\varphi} , d{\theta}[/latex]. Students often forget these extra factors, which leads to incorrect results. The [latex]\rho^2[/latex] accounts for the radial expansion, while [latex]\sin\varphi[/latex] accounts for the changing circumference at different angles from the [latex]z[/latex]-axis.
Fubini’s Theorem in Spherical Coordinates
As with the other multiple integrals we have examined, all the properties work similarly for a triple integral in the spherical coordinate system, and so do the iterated integrals.
Fubini’s theorem for spherical coordinates
If [latex]{f}{({\rho},{\theta},{\varphi})}[/latex] is continuous on a spherical solid box [latex]{B} = {[{a},{b}]} \ {\times} \ {[{\alpha},{\beta}]} \ {\times} {[{\gamma},{\psi}]}[/latex], then:
This iterated integral may be replaced by other iterated integrals by integrating with respect to the three variables in other orders.
When to Use Spherical Coordinates
Spherical coordinate systems work well for solids that are symmetric around a point, such as spheres and cones. Look for problems involving expressions like [latex]x^2 + y^2 + z^2[/latex] or solids centered at the origin.
As before, in this case the variables in the iterated integral are actually independent of each other and hence we can integrate each piece and multiply:
The concept of triple integration in spherical coordinates can be extended to integration over a general solid, using the projections onto the coordinate planes. Note that [latex]dV[/latex] and [latex]dA[/latex] mean the increments in volume and area, respectively. The variables [latex]V[/latex] and [latex]A[/latex] are used as the variables for integration to express the integrals.
The triple integral of a continuous function [latex]{f}{({\rho},{\theta},{\varphi})}[/latex] over a general solid region:
Similar formulas occur for projections onto the other coordinate planes.
Set up an integral for the volume of the region bounded by the cone [latex]{z} = {\sqrt{{3}{({x^2}+{y^2})}}}[/latex] and the hemisphere [latex]{z} = {\sqrt{{4}-{x^2}-{y^2}}}[/latex] (see the figure below).
Figure 4. A region bounded below by a cone and above by a hemisphere.
Using the conversion formulas from rectangular coordinates to spherical coordinates, we have:
For the cone: [latex]{z} = {\sqrt{{3}{({x^2}+{y^2})}}}[/latex] or [latex]{\rho} \ {\cos} \ {\varphi} = {\sqrt{3}} \ {\rho} \ {\sin} \ {\varphi}[/latex] or [latex]{\tan} \ {\varphi} = {\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}}[/latex] or [latex]{\varphi} = {\frac{\pi}{6}}[/latex].
For the sphere: [latex]{z} = {\sqrt{{4}-{x^2}-{y^2}}}[/latex] or [latex]{z^2} + {x^2} + {y^2} = {4}[/latex] or [latex]{{\rho}^{2}} = {4}[/latex] or [latex]{\rho} = {2}[/latex].
Thus, the triple integral for the volume is [latex]{{V}{(E)}} = {\displaystyle\int^{{\theta} = {{2}{\pi}}}_{{\theta} = {0}}} \ \ {\displaystyle\int^{{\varphi} = {{\pi}/{6}}}_{{\phi} = {0}}} \ \ {\displaystyle\int^{{\rho} = {2}}_{{\rho} = {0}}} \ {{\rho}^{2}}{\sin} \ {\varphi} \ {{d}{\rho}} \ {{d}{\varphi}} \ {{d}{\theta}}[/latex].
Let [latex]E[/latex] be the region bounded below by the cone [latex]{z} = {\sqrt{{x^2}+{y^2}}}[/latex] and above by the sphere [latex]{z} = {x^2} + {y^2} + {z^2}[/latex] (Figure 5). Set up a triple integral in spherical coordinates and find the volume of the region using the following orders of integration:
The curve [latex]{\rho} = {\cos}{\varphi}[/latex] meets the line [latex]{\varphi} = {{\pi}/{4}}[/latex] at the point [latex]({{\pi}/{4}},{{\sqrt{2}}/{2}})[/latex]. Thus, to change the order of integration, we need to use two pieces:
[latex]\hspace{8cm}\begin{align}&0\leq\rho\leq\sqrt2/2 \\&0\leq\varphi\leq\pi/4\end{align}[/latex] [latex]\text{ and }[/latex] [latex]\begin{align}&\sqrt2/2\leq\rho\leq1 \\&0\leq\varphi\leq\cos^{-1}\rho\end{align}[/latex]
Hence the integral for the volume of the solid region [latex]E[/latex] becomes
The first two ranges of variables describe a quarter disk in the first quadrant of the [latex]xy[/latex]-plane. Hence the range for [latex]{\theta}[/latex] is [latex]{0} \ {\leq} \ {\theta} \ {\leq} \ {\frac{\pi}{2}}[/latex].
The lower bound [latex]{z} = {\sqrt{{{x}^{2}} + {{y}^{2}}}}[/latex] is the upper half of a cone and the upper bound [latex]{z} = {\sqrt{{18} - {{x}^{2}} - {{y}^{2}}}}[/latex] is the upper half of a sphere. Therefore, we have [latex]{0} \ {\leq} \ {\rho} \ {\leq} \ {\sqrt{18}}[/latex], which is [latex]{0} \ {\leq} \ {\rho} \ {\leq} \ {3{\sqrt{2}}}[/latex].
For the ranges of [latex]{\varphi}[/latex], we need to find where the cone and the sphere intersect, so solve the equation
Now that we are familiar with the spherical coordinate system, let’s find the volume of some known geometric figures, such as spheres and ellipsoids.
Find the volume of the spherical planetarium in l’Hemisphèric in Valencia, Spain, which is five stories tall and has a radius of approximately [latex]50[/latex] ft, using the equation [latex]x^2+y^2+z^2=r^2[/latex].
Figure 7. (credit: modification of work by Javier Yaya Tur, Wikimedia Commons)
We calculate the volume of the ball in the first octant, where [latex]x\geq0[/latex], [latex]y\geq0[/latex], and [latex]z\geq0[/latex], using spherical coordinates, and then multiply the result by [latex]8[/latex] for symmetry. Since we consider the region [latex]D[/latex] as the first octant in the integral, the ranges of the variables are
This exactly matches with what we knew. So for a sphere with a radius of approximately [latex]50[/latex] ft, the volume is [latex]\frac43\pi{r}^3\approx523,000\text{ ft.}^3[/latex].
Find the volume of the ellipsoid [latex]\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}+\frac{z^2}{c^2}=1[/latex].
We again use symmetry and evaluate the volume of the ellipsoid using spherical coordinates. As before, we use the first octant [latex]x\geq0[/latex], [latex]y\geq0[/latex], and [latex]z\geq0[/latex] and then multiply the result by 8.
Find the volume of the space inside the ellipsoid [latex]\frac{x^2}{75^2}+\frac{y^2}{80^2}+\frac{z^2}{90^2}=1[/latex] and outside the sphere [latex]x^2+y^2+z^2=50^2[/latex].
This problem is directly related to the l’Hemisphèric structure. The volume of space inside the ellipsoid and outside the sphere might be useful to find the expense of heating or cooling that space. We can use the preceding two examples for the volume of the sphere and ellipsoid and then subtract.
First we find the volume of the ellipsoid using [latex]a=75[/latex] ft, [latex]b=80[/latex] ft, and [latex]c=90[/latex] ft. The volume of the ellipsoid is:
Therefore, the volume of the space inside the ellipsoid [latex]\frac{x^2}{75^2}+\frac{y^2}{80^2}+\frac{z^2}{90^2}=1[/latex] and outside the sphere [latex]x^2+y^2+z^2=50^2[/latex] is approximately