Chapter 12: Problem 34
Give the equation of a curve in one of the coordinate planes. Write an equation for the surface generated by revolving this curve around the indicated axis. Then sketch the surface. \(z=4-x^{2} ;\) the \(z\) -axis
Short Answer
Expert verified
The surface is a paraboloid: \( z = 4 - (x^2 + y^2) \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Curve
First, identify the given curve equation. The equation provided is for the curve in the x-z coordinate plane: \( z = 4 - x^2 \). This is a parabola opening downwards.
02
Understand the Surface Revolution
The task is to revolve this curve around the z-axis to create a surface. Revolving a curve around an axis results in a 3D surface.
03
Introduce Cylindrical Coordinates
Since we're revolving around the z-axis, we will use cylindrical coordinates where \( x = r \cos \theta \) and \( y = r \sin \theta \). This helps in describing the radius (\(r\)) at any angle (\(\theta\)) around the z-axis.
04
Set Up the Surface Equation
Replace \( x \) with \( r \) in the original equation \( z = 4 - x^2 \), as the distance from the z-axis is the radius (\( r \)):\[ z = 4 - r^2 \].
05
Express in Cartesian Coordinates
To express this surface using Cartesian coordinates x and y, substitute \( r = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \) into the equation: \[ z = 4 - (x^2 + y^2) \]. This equation describes the paraboloid resulting from revolving the curve around the z-axis.
06
Sketch the Surface
Visualize the surface. This revolution around the z-axis forms a paraboloid, which looks like a 3D bowl opening downwards with its vertex at the point (0, 0, 4) on the z-axis.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cylindrical Coordinates
Cylindrical coordinates offer a way to describe points in a three-dimensional space using a combination of polar coordinates in the xy-plane and height along the z-axis. This system is particularly useful when dealing with problems involving symmetry around the z-axis, such as surfaces of revolution.
- The cylindrical coordinate system uses three parameters: the radius \( r \), the angle \( \theta \), and the height \( z \).
- These coordinates relate to Cartesian coordinates \( (x, y, z) \) by the equations: \( x = r \cos \theta \), \( y = r \sin \theta \), and \( z = z \).
- The radius \( r \) represents the distance of a point from the z-axis in the xy-plane.
- The angle \( \theta \) indicates the direction of the point from the positive x-axis.
Paraboloid
A paraboloid is a type of surface that can be described as a 3-dimensional counterpart to a parabola. When a parabolic curve is revolved around its axis of symmetry, the resulting surface is a paraboloid.
- In our exercise, the parabola \( z = 4 - x^2 \) is rotated around the z-axis.
- This process creates a 3D structure that looks like a bowl or a dish with a central peak or vertex.
- The equation after revolving becomes \( z = 4 - (x^2 + y^2) \), representing a circular paraboloid oriented along the z-axis.
- This paraboloid has its vertex at the point \((0, 0, 4)\) and opens downwards, forming a shape symmetric about the z-axis.
Curve Equation
When discussing curve equations within different coordinate systems, it's vital to understand how they represent shapes within a plane. In this instance, the provided curve equation is \( z = 4 - x^2 \), a simple expression representing a parabola in the xz-plane.
- The equation tells us the relationship between the variables \( x \) and \( z \). As \( x \) varies, \( z \) describes how high or low the curve points are.
- With \( z = 4 - x^2 \), the highest point of the parabola is at the vertex (0, 4) in the xz-plane, and it opens downwards since the square of \( x \) is subtracted from 4.
- Recognizing this curve as a parabola helps in visualizing how revolving it around an axis generates a 3D surface, thus aiding in the transition to a surface of revolution.
Coordinate Planes
Coordinate planes are the reference planes you'd encounter in three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates. Each plane is defined by two of the three axes (x, y, z).
- The xy-plane is horizontal, spanning the x and y axes with \( z = 0 \).
- The xz-plane involves the x and z axes with \( y = 0 \). This is where our original curve \( z = 4 - x^2 \) is situated.
- The yz-plane involves the y and z axes with \( x = 0 \).