Interchange $\phi$ and $\theta$ in spherical coordinates

330 Views Asked by At

Why can't $\phi$ and $\theta$ be interchanged when calculating bounds for a sphere?

The volume of the unit sphere can be calculated with the triple integral:

$$\iiint_R \,dV\,= \frac{4}{3}\pi$$

where $R$ is bounded by: $$0\leq r \leq 1$$ $$0\leq \phi \leq \pi$$ $$0\leq \theta \leq 2\pi$$

But if the values of $\phi$ and $\theta$ are interchanged, the integral yields an incorrect result of 0.

I believe the same region would be covered, is my intuition wrong?

1

There are 1 best solutions below

0
On BEST ANSWER

The volume differential $dV$ has a factor of $\sin \phi$. Switching to $\sin \theta$ gives a different value.