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Right Circular Cylinder Explained with Formula and Applications

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Right circular cylinder formula for volume and surface area with solved examples


In this article, we'll learn all about cylinders, which are among the most common three-dimensional shapes we encounter in our daily lives. A cylinder is quite a popular geometrical shape. It is the foundation of many interesting everyday products, such as a can, gas cylinders, rollers, tube lights, chalk, pipe, batteries, cylindrical tumblers/flask, drums, and so on. These solids have circular shape bases that are congruent and parallel. Can you find any cylindrical shapes in your surroundings?


Cylindrical Shapes


Cylindrical Shapes


What is the Right-Circular Cylinder?

A right-circular cylinder can be defined as a three-dimensional solid geometrical figure of two parallel circular shapes joined by a curved surface. The ends of the right circular cylinder are closed circles and are congruent and parallel to one another. The right cylinder is another name for a right circular cylinder.


Cylinder


Cylinder


Parts of Cylinder

  1. Base: It refers to each of a right circular cylinder's circular ends.

  2. Axis: It refers to the line segment that connects the centres of two circular bases and is perpendicular to the base of the right circular cylinder.

  3. Radius (r): It refers to the circular base's radius.

  4. Height (h): It refers to the length of the cylinder's axis.


Properties of the Right-Circular Cylinder

Some properties of the right-circular cylinder are:

  1. There are two edges present in a right circular cylinder.

  2. The right cylinders have no corners so zero vertices are present.

  3. Cylindrical bases are always parallel to one another.

  4. The shape we obtain is a circle if a plane cuts the right cylinder horizontally and parallel to the bases.

  5. A right cylinder is created when a rectangle is rotated around one side as the axis of revolution.

  6. Longest diagonal of a cylinder is given by $d^2 = 4 \times r^2 + h^2$


Lateral or Curved Surface Area of the Right-Circular Cylinder

The total area that the figure's curving surfaces cover is known as the CSA. It has a square unit of measurement. The lateral surface of the right circular cylinder is the curved surface that links the two circular shape bases, and its area is given by:

$LSA=(Perimeter\:of\:the\:circular\:ends)\times height(h)$

$\:\:\:=2\pi rh\:sq\:unit$


Total Surface Area of the Right-Circular Cylinder

The total surface area of the right circular cylinder is equal to the sum of the bases of both circles plus the CSA.

$TSA=Lateral\:Surface\:Area+2\times(Area\:of\:the\:circle)$

$\:\:\:=2\pi rh+2\pi r^2$

$\:\:\:=2\pi r(h+r) sq\:unit$


Volume of the Right-Circular Cylinder

The volume of any 3-D solid is the amount of space it can hold. It is measured in cubic units like $cm^3$, $m^3$, etc. Thus, the right-circular cylinder formula for volume is given by: $ Volume=\pi r^2 h$ cubic unit


Solved Examples of Cylinders

Example 1: Find the volume of the right cylinder whose height is 20 cm and radius is 5 cm. Take $\pi$=3.14.

Solution: Given h=20 cm and r=5cm

We know that the volume of the right-circular cylinder is given by:

$Volume =\pi r^2 \mathrm{h}$

$\:\:\:\:\:=3.14\times(5)^2\times20$

$\:\:\:\:\:=1570\:cm^3$


Example 2: The radius and height of a right circular cylinder are given as 2.4 m and 6 m, respectively. Find the lateral and total surface area of the right cylinder. Take $\pi$ = 3.14.

Solution: Given r=2.4 m and h=6m

We know that the lateral or curved surface area of the right-circular cylinder is given by:

$LSA =2\pi \mathrm{r}\mathrm{h}$

$\:\:\:=2\times3.14\times2.4\times6$

$\:\:\:=90.432\:m^2$


Now, for the total surface area;

$T S A =2 \pi r(\mathrm{h}+\mathrm{r}) $

$\:\:\:=2 \times 3.14 \times 2.4(6+2.4)$

$\:\:\:=2 \times 3.14 \times 20.16$

$\:\:\:=126.6048 \mathrm{~m}^2$


Practice on Your Own

Q1. Find the total surface area and volume of the right-circular cylinder whose radius and height are 5 cm and 14.9, respectively. Take $\pi=3.14$.


Q2. Find the radius of the cylinder whose lateral surface area is 5024 $m^2$ and height is 8 m. Take $\pi=3.14$.


Ans1: TSA=624.86 $cm^2$; Volume=1169.65 $cm^3$.

Ans2: 100 m.


Quick Summary

Below is a quick summary on the topic right circular cylinder. For more details, you can access the free resources available on the Vedantu website for the state board, CBSE, ICSE, and competitive examinations.


Name of the shape

Right Circular Cylinder

Type of the shape

3 Dimensional geometrical shape

Axis of cylinder

Axis is the line joining the centres of bases of the cylinder

Cross-section of Right circular cylinder

Rectangle or square.

Edges

The right circular cylinder has 2 edges

Faces

The right circular cylinder has 3 faces. Two circular faces and one lateral face.

Parameters involved

Radius (r ) and height (h)

The total surface area of the cylinder

2𝝅r (h + r)

Volume of cylinder

𝝅r2h

Curved surface area or Lateral surface area of the cylinder

2𝝅rh

Value of 𝝅

3.142 or 22/7

Examples of cylinders.

Gas cylinders, pipe, cans, etc,


Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed that a cylinder is a 3-D geometric figure having two parallel circular shapes joined by a curved surface. When the axis is perpendicular to the radius, the cylinder is referred to as a right circular cylinder. The real-life cylinder examples provided in this article will assist you in quickly recognizing the cylindrical shapes that surround us.


FAQs on Right Circular Cylinder Explained with Formula and Applications

1. What is a right circular cylinder?

A right circular cylinder is a three-dimensional solid with two parallel circular bases and a curved surface, where the axis is perpendicular to the bases. It has:

  • Two congruent circular bases
  • A curved lateral surface
  • A height (h) perpendicular to the base
  • A radius (r) of the circular base
Because the axis forms a right angle with the base, it is called “right,” distinguishing it from an oblique cylinder.

2. What is the formula for the volume of a right circular cylinder?

The volume of a right circular cylinder is given by V = πr²h. Here:

  • r = radius of the base
  • h = height of the cylinder
  • π ≈ 3.1416
Example: If r = 3 cm and h = 5 cm, then V = π × 3² × 5 = 45π ≈ 141.37 cm³.

3. How do you find the curved surface area of a right circular cylinder?

The curved surface area (CSA) of a right circular cylinder is 2πrh. It represents only the side surface, excluding the top and bottom bases.

  • r = radius of the base
  • h = height
Example: If r = 4 cm and h = 7 cm, CSA = 2π × 4 × 7 = 56π ≈ 175.93 cm².

4. What is the total surface area of a right circular cylinder?

The total surface area (TSA) of a right circular cylinder is 2πr(h + r). This includes the curved surface and both circular bases.

  • Curved surface area = 2πrh
  • Area of two bases = 2πr²
  • Total = 2πrh + 2πr²
Example: If r = 2 cm and h = 10 cm, TSA = 2π × 2 × (10 + 2) = 48π ≈ 150.80 cm².

5. What is the difference between a right circular cylinder and an oblique cylinder?

The main difference is that in a right circular cylinder the axis is perpendicular to the base, while in an oblique cylinder it is slanted. Key differences:

  • Right cylinder: height is perpendicular to base
  • Oblique cylinder: height is inclined
  • Volume formula for both = πr²h
The formulas remain the same, but the orientation differs.

6. How do you calculate the height of a right circular cylinder?

The height (h) of a right circular cylinder can be calculated using h = V / (πr²) if the volume is known. Steps:

  • Write the formula V = πr²h
  • Rearrange to h = V ÷ (πr²)
Example: If V = 314 cm³ and r = 5 cm, then h = 314 ÷ (25π) ≈ 4 cm.

7. How do you find the radius of a right circular cylinder from the volume?

The radius (r) can be found using r = √(V / (πh)) when volume and height are known. Steps:

  • Start with V = πr²h
  • Rearrange to r² = V / (πh)
  • Take square root
Example: If V = 616 cm³ and h = 7 cm, r² = 616 ÷ (7π) = 28, so r = √28 ≈ 5.29 cm.

8. What are the properties of a right circular cylinder?

A right circular cylinder has specific geometric properties related to its bases and height. These include:

  • Two parallel and congruent circular bases
  • One curved lateral surface
  • Height perpendicular to the base
  • Uniform cross-section parallel to the base
Its volume depends only on radius and height.

9. What is an example of a right circular cylinder in real life?

Common real-life examples of a right circular cylinder include objects with circular bases and straight sides. Examples:

  • A soda can
  • A water pipe
  • A gas cylinder
  • A candle
All these objects have circular cross-sections and a height perpendicular to the base.

10. What are common mistakes when solving problems on right circular cylinders?

Common mistakes in right circular cylinder problems usually involve incorrect use of formulas or units. These include:

  • Forgetting to square the radius in V = πr²h
  • Confusing curved surface area with total surface area
  • Using diameter instead of radius without dividing by 2
  • Not writing answers with correct cubic or square units
Always check the formula and units carefully before finalizing the answer.