Centres of Gravity — Solid Hemisphere A solid hemisphere of radius r has its centre of gravity located at a distance 3r/8 from the flat base along the symmetry axis. Is this statement correct?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Correct

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Locating the centre of gravity (centroid for uniform density) of standard 3D solids is a common requirement in statics and strength of materials. For a solid hemisphere, there is a well-established distance of the centroid from the flat face (base).


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Solid hemisphere of radius r, uniform density.
  • Distance measured from the plane face (base) along the central vertical axis.


Concept / Approach:
The centroid of a solid hemisphere lies closer to the base than to the sphere centre. Standard integration (using disks or spherical coordinates) yields a compact result: ȳ = 3r/8 from the base plane toward the curved surface along the symmetry axis.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Model hemisphere as a stack of circular disks of radius ρ(z) with thickness dz. Compute first moment: ∫ z dV / ∫ dV and evaluate the bounds over the hemisphere. The integral simplifies to ȳ = 3r/8 measured from the base plane.


Verification / Alternative check:
Tabulated centroid locations in handbooks (solids of revolution) list ȳ = 3r/8 for the solid hemisphere, while the spherical surface (hemispherical shell) has a different value: ȳ = r/2 from the base.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
'Incorrect' would contradict established results derived by volume integration and universally referenced in engineering tables.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the solid hemisphere with a hollow hemispherical shell; mixing the reference point (from base versus from the sphere centre).


Final Answer:
Correct.

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