Finding intersection of a sphere and a plane

calculusmultivariable-calculussurfaces

Suppose I have the sphere $\ x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4 $ and the plane $\ x-y\sqrt{3} =0. $

How do I find the intersection curve and write it in polar terms?

In polar coordinates the sphere is just $\ r = 2 $

substituting $\ x = \sqrt3 y $ in ball equation:

$$ \ (\sqrt3 y)^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4 \\ 3r^2\sin^2\theta\sin^2\phi + r^2 \sin^2\theta \sin^2 \phi + r^2 \cos^2\phi =4 \\ r^2 \sin^2\phi \cdot 3 + r^2\cos^2\phi = 4 \\ r^2(3\sin^2\phi+\cos^2\phi) = 4$$

Best Answer

Find orthogonal vectors each of length (radius) $2$ in the plane given:

$(1, \sqrt{3},0)$ and $(0,0,2)$

Now create a trigonometric (polar) sum of these vectors:

$$\cos \theta (1, \sqrt{3}, 0) + \sin \theta (0,0,2) = (\cos \theta, \sqrt{3} \cos \theta, 2 \sin \theta)$$

enter image description here

In traditional polar coordinates:

$$(r, \theta, \phi) \to (2, 60^\circ, \phi)\ {\rm for}\ 0 < \phi < 2 \pi $$

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