Volume of a solid with known cross sections

In summary, the problem involves finding the volume of a solid by integrating the area of cross sectional slices, which are squares with side AB. The points of intersection between the curves y^2 = 4x and x^2 = 4y are (0,0) and (4,4). The length of one side of the squares can be determined by finding the distance between A and B on the graph, which can be expressed in terms of y.
  • #1
clannad
1
0

Homework Statement



Any cross sectional slice of a certain solid in a plane perpendicular to the x-axis is a square with side AB, with A lying on the curve [tex]y^2 = 4x[/tex] and B on the curve [tex]x^2 = 4y[/tex]. Find the volume of the solid lying between the points of intersection of these two curves.

Homework Equations


[tex]\int ^{b}_{a} A(x)dx[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure if I'm going in the right direction, but so far I've put the curves in terms of y, leaving me with [tex]y = 2\sqrt{x}[/tex] and [tex]y = \frac{x^2}{4}[/tex]. After graphing, I also know that the limits of integration will be from 0 to 4 since the points of intersection are at (0, 0) and (4, 4). From here on, I'm completely lost.

Thanks :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The area of a square is s^2 where s is the length of one side. So, what is the length of one side? The distance from A to B, so find that from your graph (at an arbitrary x value and the expression should be in terms of y.)
 

FAQ: Volume of a solid with known cross sections

What is the formula for finding the volume of a solid with known cross sections?

The formula for finding the volume of a solid with known cross sections is to integrate the area of the cross sections with respect to the axis of rotation. This can be represented as V = ∫A(x)dx, where A(x) is the area of the cross section at a given position x along the axis of rotation.

How do I determine the limits of integration for finding the volume?

The limits of integration can be determined by finding the points where the cross sections intersect with the axis of rotation. These points will serve as the bounds for the integral, as they represent the start and end points of the solid.

Can I use this formula for any shape of cross section?

Yes, this formula can be used for any shape of cross section as long as it is a function of the position x along the axis of rotation. This means that the area of the cross section can be calculated for any given position x.

Can I use this formula for finding the volume of irregularly shaped solids?

Yes, this formula can be used for finding the volume of irregularly shaped solids as long as the cross sections can be defined as functions of x. This means that the cross sections do not have to be regular shapes like circles or rectangles.

Is there a specific unit for the volume of a solid with known cross sections?

The unit for the volume of a solid with known cross sections will depend on the units used for the cross sectional area and the position x. For example, if the cross sectional area is measured in square meters and x is measured in meters, then the unit for volume would be cubic meters (m^3).

Back
Top