Hemisphere in Math

Last Updated : 6 Feb, 2026

A hemisphere is a three-dimensional shape that is exactly half of a sphere. It is formed when a sphere is cut into two equal parts through its center. A hemisphere has one flat circular face and one curved surface.

sphere_and_hemisphere

Properties of a Hemisphere

Some important properties of the Hemisphere are:

  • A hemisphere is exactly half of a sphere.
  • The radius of a hemisphere is equal to the radius of the sphere.
  • It has one flat circular base and one curved surface.
  • A hemisphere has no edges and no vertices.
  • It is not a polyhedron because it has a curved surface and a circular base.
  • The diameter of a hemisphere is a line segment passing through the center and joining two opposite points on the base.
  • The radius of a hemisphere is the line segment from the center to any point on its curved surface.

Volume of Hemisphere

comparison_between_the_volume_of_a_sphere_and_hemisphere
Volume of sphere and hemisphere

The volume of a hemisphere refers to the amount of space it occupies. It is measured in cubic units such as cubic meters (m³), cubic centimeters (cm³), or cubic inches (in³).

Since a hemisphere is half of a sphere, its volume is also half the volume of a sphere. The formula for the volume of a sphere is 4πr³⁄3. Therefore, dividing this by 2 gives the formula for the volume of a hemisphere.

Therefore, the volume of a hemisphere is given by:

Volume of hemisphere = 2πr³⁄3

Where r is the radius of the hemisphere and the value of ​π is 22/7 or 3.142.

Surface Area of Hemisphere

The formula for the surface area of a hemisphere can be given for both a solid and a hollow hemisphere.

surface_area_of_a_hemisphere

The surface area of a hemisphere is the total area covered by its surfaces. It can be divided into two parts:

Curved Surface Area of a Hemisphere

The curved surface area of a hemisphere is the area of its curved part only. Since a hemisphere is half of a sphere, its curved surface area is half the surface area of a sphere.

Curved surface area of a hemisphere = 2πr²

where r is the radius of the hemisphere and the value of ​π is 22/7 or 3.142.

Total Surface Area of a Hemisphere

The total surface area of a hemisphere includes both the curved surface and the flat circular base. The base of a hemisphere is a circle.

Total surface area of a hemisphere = Curved surface area + Area of base

= 2πr² + πr² = 3πr²

Where r is the radius of the hemisphere and the value of ​π is 22/7 or 3.142.

Hollow Hemisphere

A hollow hemisphere is a hemispherical shape that has thickness. It has two curved surfaces—an inner surface and an outer surface. Therefore, it has two radii: the inner radius (r) and the outer radius (R). The thickness of a hollow hemisphere is given by (R − r).

hollow_hemisphere_

The study of a hollow hemisphere includes:

  • Curved Surface Area
  • Total Surface Area
  • Volume

Curved Surface Area of Hollow Hemisphere

The curved surface area of a hollow hemisphere is the sum of the curved surfaces of the inner and outer hemispheres.

Curved surface area of outer hemisphere = 2πR²
Curved surface area of inner hemisphere = 2πr²

Curved surface area of hollow hemisphere = 2πR² + 2πr² = 2π(R² + r²)

Total Surface Area of Hollow Hemisphere

The total surface area of a hollow hemisphere includes:

  • Curved surface area of the inner hemisphere
  • Curved surface area of the outer hemisphere
  • Area of the circular ring at the base

Area of circular ring = π(R² − r²)

Total Surface Area of Hollow Hemisphere = Curved Surface Area of Hollow + Area of Circular Ring

= 2π(R² + r²) + π(R² − r²) = 3πR² + πr²

Volume of Hollow Hemisphere

The volume of a hollow hemisphere is found by subtracting the volume of the inner hemisphere from the volume of the outer hemisphere.

Volume of hollow hemisphere = 2⁄3 π(R³ − r³)

Solved Examples of Hemisphere Formula

Example 1: Determine the total surface area for a hemisphere having a radius of 25 cm.
Solution:

Total surface area of hemisphere = 3πr2

Given Radius = 25 cm
Total surface area of hemisphere = 3πr2
= 3 × 22/7 × 25 × 25
= 41250/7
= 5892.85 cm2

Thus, the total surface area of hemisphere = 5892.85 cm2

Example 2: Determine the volume of a hemisphere having a radius of 22.6 units.
Solution:

Volume of hemisphere = 2/3πr3

Given Radius = 22.6 inch
Volume of hemisphere = 2/3πr3
= 2/3 × 3.14 × 22.6 × 22.6 × 22.6
= 72,491.14/3

= 24,163.71 inch3

Thus, the volume of hemisphere is 24,163.71 inch3

Example 3: The radius of a hemisphere is 15.4 cm. Determine its curved surface area.
Solution:

Curved surface area of hemisphere = 2πr2

Given Radius = 15.4 cm

Curved surface area of hemisphere = 2πr2
= 2 × 22/7 × 15.4 ×15.4
= 10,435.04/7
= 1,490.72 cm2

Thus, the Curved surface area of hemisphere is 1,490.72 cm2

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