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I do not seem to understand the logic behind choosing the correct integration bounds and integration order when dealing with spherical coordinates. For example, consider the following problem: Let $B_R(\textbf0)=\{(x,y,z)\in R^3:x^2+y^2+z^2\le R^2\}$, then evaluate\begin{equation} \int \int \int_{B_R(\textbf0)} z^2 dxdydz \end{equation}

I have tried computing the integral in the following order: \begin{equation} \int_{0}^{\pi} \int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^R \rho^4cos^2\theta sin\theta d\rho d\theta d\phi \end{equation}

However when I compute this I obtain zero which is obviously incorrect. How should I choose the order of my integration bounds and why?

EDIT:

My azimuthal angle (on the x-y plane) is $\phi$ and my polar angle (the angle with the z-axis) is $\theta$. Therefore $z=\rho cos(\theta)$ and the jacobian is $\rho^2sin(\theta)$

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2 Answers

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Normally, with your choice of $\phi$ and $\theta$, the allowed values of $\phi$ are $0$ to $2\pi$, and the allowed values of $\theta$ are $0$ to $\pi$. Your use of $0$ to $\pi$ for $\phi$ and $0$ to $2\pi$ for $\theta$ is fine EXCEPT that for certain of these values $\sin\theta$ is negative. Recall that when changing variables the factor you introduce is actually $|\rho^2\sin\theta|$, and it is not true that $|\sin\theta| = \sin\theta$ for $\theta$ between $\pi$ and $2\pi$. You would have to break up your $\theta$ integral into two pieces to account for this.

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Hint: Since $\phi$ and $\theta$ are the azimuthal and polar angles respectively, what over what values do these coordinates range? Do these match the limits of integration in your ordering?

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