Center of Mass Problem

calculusdensity functionmultivariable-calculus

Let $E=[0,3] \times [-2,2] \times [0,2]$ in Rectangular Coordinates with $0\le x \le 3, -2 \le y \le 2, 0 \le z \le 2$. Now let the density at each point E be equal to the distance from the z-axis. This means $(x,y,z)$ will be the center of mass E.

Now how can I find the two coordinates for the center of mass via symmetry and the third with an integral?

Best Answer

Distance of any point from $z-$axis is given by $\sqrt{x^2+y^2}$, so density $\rho = \sqrt{x^2+y^2}$.

Note that the density $\rho$ is not a function of $z$ and hence the $z$ coordinate of center of mass will simply be $z = 1$.

You can also use the symmetry about $x-$axis to conclude that the $y$ coordinate of the center of mass will be $0$.

So you are left with finding $x$ coordinate for the center of mass. For that, consider mass of unit height (unit $z$) in $XY$ plane above $x-$axis (as there is symmetry above and below $x-$axis).

Mass $m = \displaystyle \int_{0}^{2} \int_0^3 \sqrt{x^2+y^2} \ dx \ dy$

And, $\overline{x} = \displaystyle \frac{1}{m} \int_{0}^{2} \int_0^3 x \sqrt{x^2+y^2} \ dx \ dy$


Just as a side note, the second integral can be evaluated over $dx$ using $u = y^2+x^2$ substitution. Then hyperbolic substitution works over $dy$.

To make it easier to evaluate the first integral - if you are familiar with line integral of vector fields and Green's theorem, please note line integral of the vector field $\frac{1}{3}(-y \sqrt{x^2+y^2}, x \sqrt{x^2+y^2})$ over the closed curve which is perimeter of the rectangle with vertices $A(0,0), B(3, 0), C(3,2), D(0,2)$, is same as the first integral to find mass. Line integral over $AB$ and $DA$ is zero. So after parametrization, this translates to line integral over $BC$ and $CD$ as below.

$\displaystyle \int_0^2 \sqrt{t^2+9} \ dt + \frac{2}{3}\int_0^3 \sqrt{t^2+4} \ dt$