Center of Area of an Annular Sector/Radius of Revolution

geometry

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To generate a solid ring torus around the cylinder, the circle (2) is revolved around the cylinder along a path $2\pi R$, where $R = r_{cylinder}+r_{circle}$. To generate a solid rectangular toroid, the rectangle (3) is revolved around the cylinder along a path $2\pi R$, where $R = r_{cylinder}+(h/2)$. In both of these cases, it seems that the radius of revolution to produce a toroid which has the cross-section of the original circle or rectangle must be the radius which extends to the center of area of the shape being revolved.

My question has two parts:

  1. Is it true that to generate a toroid with the cross section of the annular sector (left), I must first calculate the point which is the geometric center of the annular sector, and NOT the center of area of the annular sector? To be clear, I feel it would be some distance $r_3$ which is greater than $r_1$ + ($r_2$$r_1$)/2. My reasoning is that the center of mass of an annular sector, answered here could be a point outside of the sector itself. I believe I need to calculate the radius $r_3$ to a point in the center of the area of the annular ring, then worry about calculating the distance from that center of volume to the center of the cylinder axis.

  2. How is the radius $r_3$ to the geometric center of the annular sector in question calculated?

Thank you.

Best Answer

Let's think first why you need to rotate at that particular distance. It is done in such a way that when you take the cross section, in the radial direction, you get the desired figure. You also have the constraint that your cross section is touching the big cylinder.

It does not matter what your shape is. You inscribe it in a rectangle, with the height equal to the distance between the largest and the closest point to the cylinder. Rotate the rectangle as before, and your desired figure will be rotated accordingly.