SPHERICAL SEGMENT

- A spherical segment is a solid bounded by a zone and the planes of the zone’s bases.
a
h

a
b

Properties:
a. The bases of a spherical segment are the sections made by the parallel planes.
b. If one of the parallel planes is tangent to the sphere, the segment is called a segment of one
base.
c. The altitude of the spherical segment is the perpendicular distance between the bases.
Formulas:
Total area = (area of zone) + (area of bases)
AT = Z + A1 + A2
For a spherical segment of one base, A2 = 0
V = 1∕6 π h (3 a2 + 3 b2 + h2)
For a spherical segment of one base, b = 0
The volume of a spherical segment of one base is also given by the formula:
V = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h)
EXAMPLES
1. A hollow glass bowl in the shape of a sphere of radius 4 inches is filled with water to a depth of 3
inches. Find the volume of the water. If the water flows out through a small hole in the bottom so
that the level drops 2 inches, how much water has escaped?

VE 2 in
V1 3 in 4 in
V2 1 in

V1 = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h) ; R = 4 in.
h = 3 in.
V1 = 1∕3 π (3)2 [3 (4) – 3] = 84.823 in3 (volume of water)
 VE = V1 – V2
V2 = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h) ; R = 4 in.
h = 1 in.
V2 = 1∕3 π (1)2 [3 (4) – 1] = 11.519 in3
VE = 84.823 – 11.519 = 73.304 in3 (volume that has escaped)
2. A spherical bowl was filled to a depth of 6 inches with a mixture compounded from equal parts of
two liquids, one white and the other red. After standing for a short time the mixture separated, the
red liquid settling below the white. If the thickness of the segment of white liquid is 2 inches, find the
volume of liquid in the bowl.

VW 2 in
VM 6 in R
VR 4 in

Volume of mixture:
VM = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h) ; h = 6
VM = 1∕3 π (6)2 (3 R – 6)
Volume of red liquid:
VR = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h) ; h = 4
VR = 1∕3 π (4)2 (3 R – 4)
From problem, VM = 2 VR
1
∕3 π (6)2 (3 R – 6) = 2 [1∕3 π (4)2 (3 R – 4)]
1.125 (3 R – 6) = 3 R – 4
3.375 R – 6.75 = 3 R – 4
0.375 R = 2.75
R = 7.333 in.
Substituting,
VM = 1∕3 π (6)2 [3 (7.333) – 6] = 603.15 cu. in.

3. A 6 inches spherical float is used as a location mark for a row boat anchor. It floats in saltwater.
Find the depth to which the float sinks if the material of which the float is made weighs 16.5 lb/cu. ft.
and salt water weighs 63 lb/cu. ft.
W

h R = 3 in

BF
Vol. of spherical segment:
V = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h) ; R = 3 in. = 0.25 ft.
 W = γ V = 16.5 [4∕3 π (0.25)3] = 1.08 lb
BF = weight of liquid displaced = γSW VD = 63 VD
BF = W
63 VD = 1.08
VD = 0.017143 ft3 (12 in/1 ft)3 = 29.623 in3
Vol. of spherical segment = vol. displaced
1
∕3 π h2 [3 (3) – h] = 29.623
3 π h2 – 1∕3 π h3 = 29.623
1
∕3 π h3 – 3 π h2 + 29.623 = 0
h3 – 9 h2 + 28.288 = 0
h3 – 9 h2 = - 28.288
By T& E
Try
h = 2.5 ; - 40.625
h = 1.5 ; - 16.875

x 2.5 - - 40.625 12.377

1 h - - 28.288 23.75
1.5 - - 16.875
x = 0.52
h = 2.5 – 0.52 = 1.98 in
CE Board Nov 2012
A water tank is in the form of a sphere. It is filled with water to a depth of 30 cm. The inner diameter of
the tank is 45 cm. What is the volume of water in it in liters?

R
30 cm

V = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h) ; R = ½ (45) = 22.5 cm

V = 1∕3 π (30)2 [3 (22.5) – 30]
V = 35343 cm3
V = 35.343 liters
CE Board Nov. 2013
Calculate the volume of a frustum of a sphere of diameter 47.85 cm, if the radii of the ends of the
frustum are 14 cm and 22 cm respectively and the height of the frustum is 10 cm.
22

14

h = 10 cm

V = 1∕6 π h (3 a2 + 3 b2 + h2)
V = 1∕6 π (10) [3 (22)2 + 3 (14)2 + (10)2]
V = 11205 cm3
CE Board May 2015
A spherical tank has a diameter of 30 cm. If the volume of water in the tank is 1470.265 cu. cm,
determine the depth of water in the tank.

R = 15

V = 1∕3 π h2 (3 R – h) ; R = 15 cm
1470.265 = 1∕3 π h2 [3 (15) – h]
1404 = h2 (45 – h)
1404 = 45 h2 – h3
h3 – 45 h2 + 1404 = 0
h = 6 cm
SPHERICAL SECTOR
- A spherical sector is a solid generated by rotating a sector of a circle about an axis which
passes through the center of the circle but which contains no point inside the sector.

Properties:
a. The bounding surfaces of a spherical sector are a zone which is called the base, and one or two
conical surfaces.
b. A spherical sector having only one conical surface is called a spherical cone.
Formulas:
Total area = zone + lateral areas of bounding cones
AT = Z + S1 + S2
For a spherical cone, S2 = 0
Volume = 1∕3 zone x radius of sphere
V = 1∕3 Z R
EXAMPLES
1. A top is cast in the form of a spherical sector. The slant height of the conical portion is 2 in. and the
element of the cone is inclined 30⁰ to the axis. Find the cost of material in manufacturing 1000 such
tops if the material used costs ₱ 900 a cubic foot.

h=2–y
30⁰
R = 2 in 2 y

Cost of material:
C = unit cost x total volume
vol. of one top:
V = 1∕3 Z R ; R = 2 in.
Z = 2π Rh
y = 2 cos 30⁰ = 1.732
h = 2 – 1.732 = 0.268 in
Z = 2 π (2)(0.268) = 3.3678 in2
V = 1∕3 (3.3678)(2) = 2.2452 in3
Total volume:
VT = 2.2452 (1000) = 2245.2 in3 (1 ft/12 in)3 = 1.3 ft3
C = ₱ 900 /ft3 (1.3 ft3)
C = ₱ 1,170
CE Board May 2010
A spherical sector is cut from a sphere whose radius is 12 cm. Find its volume if its central angle is 30º.
V = ⅓ ZR ; Z = 2πRh
= ⅓ (2 π R h)(R)
V = ⅔ π R2 h

h h = 12 – 12 cos 15º = 0.409 cm

30º
R = 12

V = ⅔ π (12)2 (0.409)
V = 123.35 cm3
CE Board May 2012
A spherical sector has a central angle of 30º at the center of the sphere of radius R. Find the radius R if
the volume of sector is 231 cu. cm.
V = ⅔ π R2 h

h h = R – R cos 15º

30º R = 15

231 = ⅔ π R2 (R – R cos 15º)

110.2944 = R2 (R – 0.966 R) = 0.034 R3
R = 14.80 cm
CE Board May 2014
A sphere has a radius of 15 meters. A spherical sector is cut from this sphere having a central angle of
30º. Find the volume of the spherical sector.
V = ⅔ π R2 h

h h = 15 – 15 cos 15º
h = 0.511
30º R = 15

V = ⅔ π (15)2 (0.511)
V = 240.80 m3