How do you write the equation x² + y² + z² = 25 in spherical coordinates?

To convert the equation x² + y² + z² = 25 into spherical coordinates, we need to understand the relationship between Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z) and spherical coordinates (ρ, θ, φ).

In spherical coordinates, the relationships are defined as follows:

  • x = ρ sin(φ) cos(θ)
  • y = ρ sin(φ) sin(θ)
  • z = ρ cos(φ)

Here, ρ is the radial distance from the origin, θ is the azimuthal angle, and φ is the polar angle.

Substituting the spherical expressions into the original equation:

x² + y² + z² = ρ² sin²(φ) cos²(θ) + ρ² sin²(φ) sin²(θ) + ρ² cos²(φ).

Combine the first two terms:

x² + y² = ρ² sin²(φ)(cos²(θ) + sin²(θ)).

Using the Pythagorean identity cos²(θ) + sin²(θ) = 1, it simplifies to:

x² + y² + z² = ρ² sin²(φ) + ρ² cos²(φ) = ρ² (sin²(φ) + cos²(φ)).

Again, using the identity sin²(φ) + cos²(φ) = 1, we get:

ρ² = 25.

Thus, we conclude:

ρ = 5.

Therefore, the equation x² + y² + z² = 25 in spherical coordinates can be expressed as:

ρ = 5

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