Surface Area: Definition and Types
Surface Area is the total area that covers the outer surface of a 3D object. It is classified into two main types based on the structure of the object:
Types of Surface Area
1. Curved Surface Area (CSA):
• Refers to the area of only the curved surface of an object.
• Applicable to shapes like cylinders, cones, hemispheres, and spheres.
• Excludes any flat surfaces (like the bases of a cylinder or cone).
2. Total Surface Area (TSA):
• Refers to the total area of all the surfaces (both curved and flat) of an object.
• It is the sum of the curved surface area and the area of the flat surfaces (if any).
3. Lateral Surface Area (LSA):
• Refers to the area of all the vertical sides of an object, excluding the top and bottom faces.
• Typically used for prisms, cubes, and cuboids.
Surface Area Formulas for Different Shapes
1. Sphere
• Description: A perfectly round 3D shape where all points on the surface are equidistant from the center.
• Curved Surface Area (CSA):
• As the sphere has no flat surfaces, CSA and TSA are the same.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):
2. Cylinder
• Description: A 3D shape with two parallel circular bases connected by a curved surface.
• Curved Surface Area (CSA):
• Includes only the curved lateral surface.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):
• Includes the CSA and the areas of the two circular bases.
3. Hemisphere
• Description: Half of a sphere with a flat circular base.
• Curved Surface Area (CSA):
• Covers only the curved portion.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):
• Includes the CSA and the flat circular base.
4. Cone
• Description: A solid with a circular base and a curved surface tapering to a single point (vertex).
• Curved Surface Area (CSA):
• Includes only the slant surface.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):
• Includes the CSA and the circular base area.
• l = √(r2 + h2): Slant height.
5. Cube
• Description: A solid with six equal square faces.
• Lateral Surface Area (LSA):
• Includes only the four vertical faces.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):
• Includes all six faces.
6. Cuboid
• Description: A solid with six rectangular faces, where opposite faces are equal.
• Lateral Surface Area (LSA):
• Includes the four vertical faces, excluding the top and bottom.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):
• Includes all six rectangular faces.
Summary Table of Surface Areas
Shape | CSA Formula | TSA Formula | LSA Formula (if applicable) |
---|---|---|---|
Sphere | 4πr2 | 4πr2 | - |
Cylinder | 2πrh | 2πr2 + 2πrh | - |
Hemisphere | 2πr2 | 3πr2 | - |
Cone | πrl | πr2 + πrl | - |
Cube | - | 6a2 | 4a2 |
Cuboid | - | 2(lw + wh + hl) | 2h(l + w) |
Key Notes
• Curved Surface Area is relevant only for shapes with curved surfaces.
• Total Surface Area includes all the surfaces of a shape, curved and flat.
• For cube and cuboid, only TSA and
LSAare applicable since they have no curved surfaces.