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1.3: Volumes of Revolution - Cylindrical Shells

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    Deriving the Method of Cylindrical Shells

    Theorem: Volume of a Single Shell

    The volume of a single cylindrical shell is\[ V = 2 \pi r_i^* h_i \Delta r, \nonumber \]where \( r_i^* = \frac{1}{2}\left( r_{\text{Outer}} + r_{\text{Inner}} \right) \) and \( \Delta r =  r_{\text{Outer}} - r_{\text{Inner}} \).

    Proof
    Interactive Element: Visualizing the Method of Cylindrical Shells
     
    Theorem: The Method of Cylindrical Shells

    Let \(h(\lambda)\) be continuous and nonnegative. Define \(\mathbf{R}\) as the region bounded by the graph of \(h(\lambda)\), the \(\lambda\)-axis, the line \(\lambda=a\), and the line \(\lambda=b\). Then the volume of the solid of revolution formed by revolving \(\mathbf{R}\) around the \(\lambda\)-axis is given by\[V=\int_{\lambda = a}^{\lambda = b} 2 \pi \, r\left( \lambda \right) \, h\left(\lambda\right) \, d\lambda. \nonumber \]

    Proof

    Finding Volumes Using the Method of Cylindrical Shells

    Lecture Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Compute the volume generated by rotating \(y=e^{x^2}\), \(0 \leq x \leq 1\) about the \(y\)-axis. Discuss the problems with trying to compute the volume generated by rotating this curve about the \(x\)-axis.

    Lecture Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    Setup, but do not compute, the integral to find the volume \(V\) generated by rotating the region bounded by the given curves about the \(y\)-axis.\[ y = 6\left( x-2 \right)^2, \quad y = x^2-4x+9 \nonumber \]

    Online Lecture Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    Find the volume \(V\) generated by rotating the region bounded by the given curves about the \(x\)-axis.\[ x=1+(y-2)^2, \quad x=2. \nonumber \]

    Online Lecture Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded by\[ xy=1, \quad y=0, \quad x=1, \quad x=2\nonumber \]about \(x=-1\).

    Lecture Example \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    Setup, but do not compute, the integral to find the volume \(V\) generated by rotating the region bounded by the given curves about the line \(y=5\).\[x^2-y^2=7, \quad x=4\nonumber \]

    Lecture Example \(\PageIndex{6}\)

    Set up an integral for the volume of a solid torus with radii \(r\) and \(R\). By interpreting the integral as an area, find the volume of the torus.


    This page titled 1.3: Volumes of Revolution - Cylindrical Shells is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Roy Simpson.