Applications of Integration to Physics and

Engineering
MATH 211, Calculus II

J. Robert Buchanan
Department of Mathematics

Spring 2011

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Mass and Weight

mass: quantity of matter (units: kg or g (metric) or slugs

(English))
weight: a force related to mass through Newtons Second
Law
weight = (mass)(gravitational acceleration)
gravity: gravitational acceleration (notation, g)
Metric units g = 9.8 m/s2 or g = 980 cm/s2 .
English units, g = 32 ft/s2 .

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Work
Work is what is accomplished by moving a force through some
distance.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Work
Work is what is accomplished by moving a force through some
distance.
If the force F is constant and is moved in a straight line a
distance d , the work is W = Fd .

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Work
Work is what is accomplished by moving a force through some
distance.
If the force F is constant and is moved in a straight line a
distance d , the work is W = Fd .
Units of work:
force
pound (lb)
Newton (N)

distance
foot (ft)
inch (in)
meter (m)

work
foot-pound (ft-lb)
inch-pound (in-lb)
Newton-meter (N-m)

Note: 1Newton-meter = 1Joule = 1 J.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Variable Forces
Suppose the force f depends on position x, i.e., the force f (x)
is moved in a straight line from x = a to x = b.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Variable Forces
Suppose the force f depends on position x, i.e., the force f (x)
is moved in a straight line from x = a to x = b.
Let n N and define x =
i = 1, 2, . . . , n.

ba
n

and xi = a + ix for

The work done moving the force from xk 1 to xk is

approximately Wk = f (xk )x.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Variable Forces
Suppose the force f depends on position x, i.e., the force f (x)
is moved in a straight line from x = a to x = b.
Let n N and define x =
i = 1, 2, . . . , n.

ba
n

and xi = a + ix for

The work done moving the force from xk 1 to xk is

approximately Wk = f (xk )x.
A Riemann sum for the work is then
n
X
f (xk )x
W
k =1

=
=

lim

n
X

f (xk )x

k =1

f (x) dx.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Hookes Law Spring

Hookes Law: the force required to stretch or compress a

spring beyond its natural length is f (x) = kx where k is called
the spring constant.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Hookes Law Spring

Hookes Law: the force required to stretch or compress a

spring beyond its natural length is f (x) = kx where k is called
the spring constant.
Example
A force of 10 lb is required to stretch a spring from its natural
length of 7 in to 7.5 in. Find the work done in stretching the
spring. How much work is done stretching the spring from 7.5
in to 9 in?

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Solution

Since 10 = k(7.5 7) then the spring constant k = 20.

The work done to stretch the spring the initial 1/2 inch is
W =

1/2

1/2 5
=
20x dx = 10x 
2
0
2

in-lb.

The work done to stretch the spring the next 1.5 inches is
W =

1/2

2

20x dx = 10x 2 

J. Robert Buchanan

1/2

75
2

in-lb.

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Pumping Out a Tank

Example
A hemispherical tank of radius 5 m is full of water with a density
of 103 kg/m3 . Find the work done in pumping the water out of
the tank.
y

-4

-2

-2

-4

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Solution (1 of 2)

Imagine a thin layer of water parallel to the surface of the

tank at a depth of y.
The volume of the thin layer of water can be expressed as
(25 y 2 ) dy.
The weight of the thin layer of water is therefore
1000(9.8)(25 y 2 ) dy = 9800(25 y 2 ) dy.
The distance this thin layer must be lifted to remove it from
the tank is 0 y = y.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Solution (2 of 2)

The work done is

W

9800(25 y 2 )(y) dy

= 9800

0
5

(y 3 25y) dy


1 4 25 2 0
y
y 
= 9800
4
2
5


1
25
= 9800
(5)4
(5)2
4
2
= 1531250 J.


J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Winding a Cable

Example
A 50-ft cable weighing a total of 25 lbs is attached to a 600 lb
object. Find the work done in using the cable to lift the object
30 ft.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Solution

The cable weighs 1/2 lb/ft.

When the object has been lifted x feet, the total weight of
the object and the remaining length of cable is
f (x) = 600 + 25 x/2 = 625 x/2.
The work done is
W =

30


30

x 2 
x
dx = 625x
= 18525 ft-lb.
625
2
4 0

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Moments and Center of Mass

In mathematics, the physical sciences, and engineering it is

convenient to replace a rigid object of mass m by an idealized
point-mass (also of m).

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Moments and Center of Mass

In mathematics, the physical sciences, and engineering it is

convenient to replace a rigid object of mass m by an idealized
point-mass (also of m).
Question: where do we place the mass?

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (1 of 2)
Suppose two masses m1 and m2 are attached to opposite ends
of a rod.

m1

x1

m2

x2
x

Where can we support the rod so that the system is balanced?

Let x be the location of the balance point.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (2 of 2)

m1 (x x1 ) = m2 (x2 x)

x(m1 + m2 ) = m1 x1 + m2 x2
m1 x1 + m2 x2
x =
m1 + m2
Remark: the coordinate x is called the center of mass (or
center of gravity) of the system.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

General Case

Definition
If S denotes a set of point masses {m1 , m2 , . . . , mn } located at
the points {x1 , x2 , . . . , xn } respectively along the x-axis, then
n
X
mi ,
the total mass is m =
i=1

the moment about the origin is M0 =

n
X

mi xi ,

i=1

the center of mass is x =

J. Robert Buchanan

M0
.
m

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example

Example
Suppose S consists of masses {5, 7, 11, 13} kg located at
{3, 1, 1, 2} respectively along the x-axis. Find the center of
mass of S.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example

Example
Suppose S consists of masses {5, 7, 11, 13} kg located at
{3, 1, 1, 2} respectively along the x-axis. Find the center of
mass of S.

m = 5 + 7 + 11 + 13 = 36

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example

Example
Suppose S consists of masses {5, 7, 11, 13} kg located at
{3, 1, 1, 2} respectively along the x-axis. Find the center of
mass of S.

m = 5 + 7 + 11 + 13 = 36
M0 = (5)(3) + (7)(1) + (11)(1) + (13)(2) = 15

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example

Example
Suppose S consists of masses {5, 7, 11, 13} kg located at
{3, 1, 1, 2} respectively along the x-axis. Find the center of
mass of S.

m = 5 + 7 + 11 + 13 = 36
M0 = (5)(3) + (7)(1) + (11)(1) + (13)(2) = 15
5
15
=
x =
36
12

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Distributed Case
Suppose an object is continuously distributed along the x-axis
in the interval [a, b] and the density (mass/length) of the object
is given by (x).

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Distributed Case
Suppose an object is continuously distributed along the x-axis
in the interval [a, b] and the density (mass/length) of the object
is given by (x).
Question: how can we find the center of mass of such an
object?

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Distributed Case
Suppose an object is continuously distributed along the x-axis
in the interval [a, b] and the density (mass/length) of the object
is given by (x).
Question: how can we find the center of mass of such an
object?
Answer: a Riemann Sum! Let n N and define x = ba
n and
xi = a + ix. The mass of the portion of the object in the
interval [xk 1 , xk ] is mk (xk )x. Thus the total mass of the
object is
m
=

n
X

(xk )x

k =1

lim

n
X

(xk )x =

k =1

J. Robert Buchanan

(x) dx.

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Moment
We can use a Riemann sum to find the moment about the
origin of the distributed object.
M0
=
=

n
X

xk (xk )x

k =1

lim

n
X

xk (xk )x

k =1

x(x) dx

Thus the center of mass is

Rb
x(x) dx
M0
.
x=
= Ra b
m
a (x) dx
J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (1 of 2)
Example
Find the mass and center of mass of an object whose density is
given by the (x) = x5 + 1 for 0 x 7.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (1 of 2)
Example
Find the mass and center of mass of an object whose density is
given by the (x) = x5 + 1 for 0 x 7.

m =

7


x
+ 1 dx =
5

J. Robert Buchanan

7

119
x2
+ x  =
10
10
0

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (1 of 2)
Example
Find the mass and center of mass of an object whose density is
given by the (x) = x5 + 1 for 0 x 7.

 2
7


119
x
x
+ 1 dx =
+ x  =
5
10
10
0
0

 3

Z 7 2
7
x
x
x 2 
1421
=
+ x dx =
+
=

5
15
2 0
30
0

m =
M0

7

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (1 of 2)
Example
Find the mass and center of mass of an object whose density is
given by the (x) = x5 + 1 for 0 x 7.

 2
7


119
x
x
+ 1 dx =
+ x  =
5
10
10
0
0

 3

Z 7 2
7
x
x
x 2 
1421
=
+ x dx =
+
=

5
15
2 0
30
0

m =
M0
x

7

1421
30
119
10

203
51

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (2 of 2)
Example
Find the mass and center of mass of an object whose density is
given by the (x) = x 2 x + 6 for 3 x 2.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example (2 of 2)
Example
Find the mass and center of mass of an object whose density is
given by the (x) = x 2 x + 6 for 3 x 2.

2

x3 x2
125
x x + 6 dx =
m =
+ 6x  =
3
2
6
3
3


Z 2

2
x4 x3
125
x 3 x 2 + 6x dx =
M0 =
+ 3x 2  =
4
3
12
3
3
Z

125
12
125
6

1
2

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Hydrostatic Force

Terminology:
pressure: force exerted per unit area (notation, p)
gravity: gravitational acceleration (notation, g)
Metric units g = 9.8 m/s2 or g = 980 cm/s2 .
English units, g = 32 ft/s2 .
density: mass per unit volume (notation, )
for water = 1000 kg/m3 or = 1 g/cm3 .
English units, g = 62.4 lb/ft3 .
depth: distance to the surface of a fluid (notation, h)

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Pascals Principle

Pascals Principle: the pressure exerted at a depth h in a fluid

is the same in every direction.
If the area of a plate is A then the force on the plate is ghA,
provided the plate is entirely at depth h.

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Pascals Principle

Pascals Principle: the pressure exerted at a depth h in a fluid

is the same in every direction.
If the area of a plate is A then the force on the plate is ghA,
provided the plate is entirely at depth h.
Question: what if the plate is not oriented horizontally?

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Riemann Sum Approach

Suppose the plate is oriented vertically (parallel to the
xy-plane) so that the width of the plate is a function of y,
call it w (y).
Suppose the plate lies in the interval (on the y-axis) [a, b].
Let n N and y = ba
n and yi = a + iy, then the force
on the portion of the plate between yk 1 and yk is
Fk gh(yk )w (yk )y.
Total hydrostatic force is
F

n
X

gh(yk )w (yk )y

k =1

lim

= g

n
X

gh(yk )w (yk )y

k =1
Z b

h(y)w (y) dy

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example

Example
A dam has a submerged gate in the shape of an equilateral
triangle, two feet on a side with the horizontal base nearest the
surface of the water and ten feet below it. Find the force on the
gate.
y
10
8
6
4
2
-2

-1

-2

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Solution
The edges of the plate are described by the lines with
equations y = 2 + 2x and y = 2 2x.
The width of the plate is w (y) = 2 + y
The hydrostatic force is
F

= 62.4

2
Z 0

(10 y)(2 + y) dy

(20 + 8y y 2 ) dy
 
64
= 62.4
3
1331.2 lb.
= 62.4

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Example
Example
A square plate of sides 5 feet is submerged vertically in water
such that one of the diagonals is parallel to the surface of the
water. If the distance from the surface of the water to the center
of the plate is 4 feet, find the force exerted by the water on one
side of the plate.
y
4

-3

-2

-1

-1

-2

-3

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Solution
The edges of the plate
the lines with
are described by
equations y x= 5/ 2 and x + y =5/ 2 (for y 0) and
by x + y = 5/ 2 and y x = 5/ 2 (for y < 0).
The width of the plate is
( 10
2y if y 0,
2
w (y) =
10

+ 2y if y < 0.
2

The hydrostatic force is



Z 5/2
10
F = 62.4
(4 y) 2y dy
2
0


Z 0
10
+ 62.4
dy
(4 y) + 2y
2
5/ 2




125
125
= 62.4 50
+ 62.4 50 +
= 6240 lb.
6 2
6 2
J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering

Homework

Read Section 5.6

Exercises: 113 (work), 2130 (center of mass), 3540
(hydrostatic force)

J. Robert Buchanan

Applications of Integration to Physics and Engineering