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Subsection 2.7.7 Surface Area of Spheres

Learner Experience 2.7.9.

Fun Activity Idea
πŸ”ΉUse an orange or a ball and cover it with small square sticky notes.
πŸ”Ή Estimate how many squares fit over the sphere’s surface.
πŸ”ΉThen compare with other group members’ results to the actual formula!
The surface area of a sphere is the total area covering its curved outer surface.
Formula for Surface Area of a Sphere
Surface Area \(= 4 \pi r^2\) where r is the radius of the sphere.
The \(= 4 \pi r^2\) comes from integrating small patches over the sphere’s curved surface. We can compare the sphere to how a sphere fits inside a cylinder of the same radius and height.

Key Takeaway 2.7.45.

A sphere is a perfectly round three-dimensional object where every point on the surface is equidistant from the center. The surface area of a sphere is the total area covering its curved outer surface.
Formula:
Surface Area of a Sphere \(= 4\times \pi\times r^2\)
Where: \(r\) is the radius of the sphere
\(\pi \text{ is approximately } 3.14 \text{ or } \frac{22}{7}\)
Why \(4\times \pi\times r^2\) ?
The formula \(4\times \pi\times r^2\) comes from integrating small patches over the sphere’s curved surface. We can compare the sphere to how a sphere fits inside a cylinder of the same radius and height.
Important Relationship:
If the radius doubles, the surface area increases by \(4\) times (since \((2r)^2 = 4r^2\)).
Scaffolding Strategies to Address Misconceptions:
Misconception Clarification
A sphere is the same as a circle No, a circle is two-dimensional, while a sphere is three-dimensional
The formula is \(\pi r^2\) No, that is the area of a circle. The surface area of a sphere is \(4\pi r^2\text{.}\)
If the radius doubles, the surface area doubles No, if the radius doubles, the surface area increases by \(4\) times (since \((2r)^2 = 4r^2\))
I can use the diameter directly in the formula No, you must use the radius. If you have the diameter, divide by \(2\) to get the radius.

Example 2.7.46.

Find the surface area of the following sphere (correct to 1 decimal place
Sphere
Solution.
Surface area of a sphere = \(4 \pi r^2\)
\begin{align*} = \amp \frac {22}{7}\times 4 \times(7\, \text{cm})^2 \\ = \amp \frac{22}{7} \times 196\, \text{cm}^2 \\ = \amp 22 \times 28\, \text{cm}^2\\ = \amp 616\, \text{cm}^2 \end{align*}

Example 2.7.47.

  1. A sphere has a radius of 14 cm.
    a) Find its total surface area.
    b) If the sphere were covered with paint, how much area would be painted?
    c)If a second sphere has twice the radius, how does its surface area compare to the first sphere?
Hint.
Remember, if the radius doubles, the surface area increases by 4 times (since \((2r)^2 = 4 \pi r^2\text{.}\)
Solution.
a) Total Surface area.
\begin{align*} = \amp 4 \times \frac {22}{\cancel {7}}\times \cancel{14} \, \text{cm} \times 14\, \text{cm} \\ = \amp 4 \times 22 \times 2\, \text{cm} \times 14\, \text{cm} \\ = \amp 4 \times 22 \times 28\\ = \amp 4 \times616\, \text{cm}^2\\ = \amp 2464 \,\text{cm}^2 \end{align*}
The surface area of the sphere is \(2464\, \text{cm}^2\) .
b) The \(\textbf{area of the sphere painted}\) would be the entire surface area.
so the Painted area =\(2464 \,\text{cm}^2\text{.}\)
c) If the radius is doubled i.e,
( \(r = 14 \, \text{cm}+ 14\, \text {cm} = 28\, \text{cm}\)),
the new surface area would be:
\begin{align*} \text{ New surface area} = \amp 4 \frac {22}{\cancel {7}}\times \cancel{28} \, \text{cm} \times 28 \text{cm} \\ = \amp 4 \times 22 \times 4 \, \text{cm} \times 28 \,\text{cm} \\ = \amp 4 \times 22 \times 112 \text{cm}^2\\ = \amp 4 \times616 \, \text{cm}^2\\ = \amp 9856 \, \text{cm}^2 \end{align*}
The surface area of the sphere is \(9856 \, \text{cm}^2\) if the radius is doubled.
\(\textbf{Exercise}\)
Find the surface areas of the figure below.
Sphere
Sphere
Sphere
Sphere
1. A football used in a tournament has a radius of 11 cm. Find the total surface area of the football, assuming it is a perfect sphere.
Sphere
2. The surface area of a spherical ornament is measured to be 452.16 cmΒ². Using the formula for the surface area of a sphere, determine the radius of the ornament.
3. A planetarium is constructing a dome in the shape of a hemisphere with a radius of 20 m. Since the dome covers only half of a full sphere, determine its total surface area, including the flat circular base.
Sphere
4. A spherical metal ball with a radius of 7 cm is to be coated with a layer of paint. Determine the total area that needs to be covered with paint.
5. A company is designing a spherical water tank with a diameter of 24 cm. Compute the total surface area of the tank, which represents the external surface that will be painted.