7/2/2014 Surface area of a dome - Math Central

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Math Central Quandaries & Queries
Question from Charlie:
Why is the calculation for the surface area of a domed tank less than the surface area of a flat top
tank.
Using domed tank formula 2*pi*r(r-(r-dome ht) works out to be less surface area than a flat top
tank area formula pi*r x r,
Shouldn't the dome have more surface area than the flat surface ?
Hi Charlie,
The expression you have for the surface area of a dome is correct (except you misses a parenthisis). It is
2 r(r - (r - h)) square units
where h is the dome height. This simplifies to
2 r h square units.
If, for example, h = r so that the dome (light blue) is half of the sphere then the surface area of the dome
is 2 r
2
square units, twice the area ofthe base (dark blue). If h is very small then the area of the cap can
be much smaller than the area of the base.
I hope this helps,
Harley


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Volume = (/6) h (3 r
2
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