Volume of Revolution

Solid of revolution
Field: Calculus
Image Created By: Nordhr
Website: Nordhr

Solid of revolution

This image is a solid of revolution

Basic Description

When finding the volume of revolution of solids, in many cases the problem is not with the calculus, but with actually visualizing the solid. To find the volume of a solid like a cylinder, usually we use the formula ${\pi} {r^2} h$. Alternatively we can imagine chopping up the cylinder into thin cylindrical plates, much like slicing up bread, computing the volume of each thin slice, then summing up the volumes of all the slices.
The disc method is much like slicing up bread and computing the volume of each slice http://mathdemos.gcsu.edu/mathdemos/sectionmethod/sectionmethod.html

A More Mathematical Explanation

Disk Method

In general, given a function, we can graph it then revolve the area under the curve b [...]

Disk Method

In general, given a function, we can graph it then revolve the area under the curve between two specific coordinates about a fixed axis to obtain a solid called the solid of revolution. The volume of the solid can then be computed using the disc method.

Note: There are other ways of computing the volumes of complicated solids other than the disc method.

In the disc method, we imagine chopping up the solid into thin cylindrical plates calculating the volume of each plate, then summing up the volumes of all plates.

For example, let's consider a region bounded by $y=x^2$, $y=0$,$x=0$ and $x=1$

<-------Plotting the graph of this area,

If we revolve this area about the x axis ($y=0$), then we get the image below to the left.
This image shows a plane area being revolved to create a solid http://curvebank.calstatela.edu/volrev/volrev.htm

To find the volume of the solid using the disc method:

Volume of one disc = ${\pi} y^2{\Delta x}$ where $y$- which is the function- is the radius of the circular cross-section and $\Delta x$ is the thickness of each disc. Using the analogy of the bread, computing the volume of one disc would correspond to computing the volume of one slice of bread. With this in mind, the area of one disc would correspond to the area of a slice of bread, while the thickness of a disc would correspond to the thickness of a slice of bread. To find the total volume of the bread, we would have to sum up the volumes of each of the slices.

Volume of all discs:

Volume of all discs = ${\sum}{\pi}y^2{\Delta x}$, with $X$ ranging from 0 to 1

If we make the slices infinitesimally thick, the Riemann sum becomes the same as:

$\int_0^1 {\pi}y^2\,dx ={\pi}\int_0^1 (x^2)^2\, dx$

Evaluating this integral,

${\pi}\int_0^1 x^4 dx$

=$[{{x^5\over 5} + C|}_0^1] {\pi}$

=$[{1\over 5} + {0\over 5}] {\pi}$

=${\pi}\over 5$

volume of solid= ${\pi\over 5} units^3$

In the example we discussed, the area is revolved about the $x$-axis. This does not always have to be the case. A function can be revolved about any fixed axis. Also, given a different function, to find the volume of revolution about the $x$-axis, we can substitute it in the place of $x^2$. Note: we would also need to change the bounds as per the given information. The method discussed in the example works for all functions that have bounds and are revolved about the $x$-axis.

Washer Method

The washer method can be used when the rotated plane does not touch the axis around which it is being rotated. One instance in which the plane isn't touching the rotational axis is when the plane is not just bounded by one function, but instead two. For now we'll assume that one function is consistently smaller than the other, so there is a 'smaller function' and a 'larger function.' The main image on this page is an example of when the washer method is used. The top curve (which we will call f(x) ) is proportional to the square root of x, and the bottom curve (which we will call g(x) )is linear. The boundaries for the functions are x =2 and x = 10. A cross section is shown to the right.

The basic philosophy behind the washer method is the same as behind the disk method. We still must integrate around the rotational axis. The difference is that we cannot just use one radius (ie Radius = R - r). This wouldn't work because then two sections with the same area would necessarily have to have the same volume, but this is not the case. If two circles of the same radius are rotated around the same axis, if one is farther away, it will create more volume, as demonstrated in the animation below. Thus, instead of subtracting the radius of the smaller function from the bigger function, we subtract the volume the rotated smaller function would create from the volume the bigger function creates. The formula for the washer method is:
$V = \pi \times \int(f(x)^2 - g(x)^2)dx$

Click to stop animation.