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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):

CSA = 4πr2

   • As the sphere has no flat surfaces, CSA and TSA are the same.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):

TSA = 4πr2

2. Cylinder

• Description: A 3D shape with two parallel circular bases connected by a curved surface.
• Curved Surface Area (CSA):

CSA = 2πrh

   • Includes only the curved lateral surface.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):

TSA = 2πr2 + 2πrh

   • 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):

CSA = 2πr2

   • Covers only the curved portion.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):

TSA = 3πr2

   • 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):

CSA = πrl

   • Includes only the slant surface.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):

TSA = πr2 + πrl

   • 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):

LSA = 4a2

   • Includes only the four vertical faces.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):

TSA = 6a2

   • Includes all six faces.



6. Cuboid

• Description: A solid with six rectangular faces, where opposite faces are equal.
• Lateral Surface Area (LSA):

LSA = 2h(l + w)

   • Includes the four vertical faces, excluding the top and bottom.
• Total Surface Area (TSA):

TSA = 2(lw + wh + hl)

   • Includes all six rectangular faces.



Summary Table of Surface Areas


Shape  CSA Formula   TSA Formula   LSA Formula (if applicable) 
Sphere r2 r2 -
Cylinder rh r2 + 2πrh -
 Hemisphere  r2 r2 -
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.