# Solid of revolution

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Solid of revolution

In mathematics, engineering, and manufacturing, a solid of revolution is a solid figure obtained by rotating a plane curve around some straight line (the axis) that lies on the same plane.

Assuming that the curve does not cross the axis, the solid's volume is equal to the length of the circle described by the figure's centroid, times the figure's area (Pappus's second centroid Theorem).

A representative disk is a three-dimensional volume element of a solid of revolution. The element is created by rotating a line segment (of length "w") around some axis (located "r" units away), so that a cylindrical volume of "&pi;"&int;"r"2"w" units is enclosed.

Methods of finding the volume

Two common methods for finding the volume of a solid of revolution are the disc method and the shell method of integration. To apply these methods, it is easiest to draw the graph(s) in question, identify the area that is actually being revolved about the axis of revolution, and then draw a straight line, vertical (parallel to the "y"-axis) for functions defined in terms of "x" and horizontal (parallel to the "x"-axis) for functions defined in terms of "x", which is referred to as a "slice". Although all formulas are listed in terms of "x", the formulas are exactly the same for functions defined in terms of "y" (with rotations about the "x"- and "y"-axes appropriately swapped).

Disc method

The disc method is used when the slice that was drawn is "perpendicular to" the axis of revolution; i.e. when integrating "along" the axis of revolution.

The volume of the solid formed by rotating the area between the curves of $f\left(x\right)$ and $g\left(x\right)$ and the lines $x=a$ and $x=b$ about the "x"-axis is given by:$V = pi int_a^b vert f\left(x\right)^2 - g\left(x\right)^2vert,dx$If "g"("x") = 0 (e.g. revolving an area between curve and "x"-axis), this reduces to::$V = pi int_a^b f\left(x\right)^2,dx$

The method can be visualized by considering a thin vertical rectangle at "x" between $y=f\left(x\right)$ on top and $y=g\left(x\right)$ on the bottom, and revolving it about the "x"-axis; it forms a ring (or disc in the case that $g\left(x\right) = 0$), with outer radius "f"("x") and inner radius "g"("x"). The area of a ring is $pi \left(R^2 - r^2\right)$, where "R" is the outer radius (in this case "f"("x")), and "r" is the inner radius (in this case "g"("x")). Summing up all of the areas along the interval gives the total volume.

hell method

The shell method is used when the slice that was drawn is "parallel to" the axis of revolution; i.e. when integrating "perpendicular to" the axis of revolution.

The volume of the solid formed by rotating the area between the curves of $f\left(x\right)$ and $g\left(x\right)$ and the lines $x=a$ and $x=b$ about the "y"-axis is given by:$V = 2pi int_a^b xvert f\left(x\right) - g\left(x\right)vert,dx$If "g"("x") = 0 (e.g. revolving an area between curve and "x"-axis), this reduces to::$V = 2pi int_a^b x f\left(x\right),dx$

The method can be visualized by considering a thin vertical rectangle at "x" with height $\left[f\left(x\right) - g\left(x\right)\right]$, and revolving it about the "y"-axis; it forms a cylindrical shell. The lateral surface area of a cylinder is $2pi rh$, where "r" is the radius (in this case "x"), and "h" is the height (in this case $\left[f\left(x\right) - g\left(x\right)\right]$). Summing up all of the surface areas along the interval gives the total volume.

ee also

* surface of revolution
* Gabriel's Horn
* Guldinus theorem

* [http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SolidofRevolution.html Solid of Revolution] at MathWorld
* [http://mss.math.vanderbilt.edu/~pscrooke/MSS/sor.html Plot a solid of revolution]
* [http://www.britishcomputercolleges.com Applets to find volume of solids of revolution (Disks and Washers)]

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### Look at other dictionaries:

• Solid of revolution — Solid Sol id, n. 1. A substance that is held in a fixed form by cohesion among its particles; a substance not fluid. [1913 Webster] 2. (Geom.) A magnitude which has length, breadth, and thickness; a part of space bounded on all sides. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• solid of revolution — Etymology: solid (III) : a mathematical solid conceived as formed by the revolution of a plane figure about an axis in its plane * * * a three dimensional figure formed by revolving a plane area about a given axis. [1810 20] * * * solid of… …   Useful english dictionary

• solid of revolution — Date: 1816 a mathematical solid conceived as formed by the revolution of a plane figure about an axis in its plane …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• solid of revolution — noun A solid produced by taking a particular two dimensional curve and rotating it through 360° about an axis. The curve will sweep out a surface, and the region inside the surface defines a solid …   Wiktionary

• solid of revolution — a three dimensional figure formed by revolving a plane area about a given axis. [1810 20] * * * …   Universalium

• solid of revolution — noun a volume generated by revolving a plane area about an axis …   Australian English dictionary

• Revolution — Rev o*lu tion, n. [F. r[ e]volution, L. revolutio. See {Revolve}.] 1. The act of revolving, or turning round on an axis or a center; the motion of a body round a fixed point or line; rotation; as, the revolution of a wheel, of a top, of the earth …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Solid — Sol id, n. 1. A substance that is held in a fixed form by cohesion among its particles; a substance not fluid. [1913 Webster] 2. (Geom.) A magnitude which has length, breadth, and thickness; a part of space bounded on all sides. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Solid fuel — refers to various types of solid material that are used as fuel to produce energy and provide heating, usually released through combustion. Solid fuels include wood (see wood fuel), charcoal, peat, coal, Hexamine fuel tablets, and pellets made… …   Wikipedia

• solidof revolution — solid of revolution n. A volume generated by the rotation of a plane figure about an axis in its plane. * * * …   Universalium