radius vector

American  

noun

• radii vectores,
  plural
• radius vectors
  plural

1. Mathematics. the length of the line segment joining a fixed point or origin to a given point.

2. Astronomy.

   1. the straight line joining two bodies in relative orbital motion, as the line from the sun to a planet at any point in its orbit.

   2. the distance between two such bodies at any point in the orbit.

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radius vector British  

noun

1. maths a line joining a point in space to the origin of polar or spherical coordinates

2. astronomy an imaginary line joining a satellite to the planet or star around which it is orbiting

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radius vector Scientific  

1. A line segment that joins the origin and a variable point in a system of polar or spherical coordinates.

2. The imaginary straight line that connects the center of the Sun or another body with the center of a planet, comet, or other body that orbits it.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• radii vectores
  plural
• radius vectors
  plural

Etymology

Origin of radius vector

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

radius vector

Note that the torque vector is orthogonal to both the force vector and the radius vector.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

The problem of constructing successive radii vectores, the angles of which are measured off from the radius vector of the body at the original given position, is then a geometric one, known as Kepler’s problem.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various

M. Le Verrier then remarks, as one of the strong proofs of the correctness of the general theory, that the error of radius vector is explained as accurately as the error of longitude.

From Astronomical Discovery by Herbert Hall Turner

In a curve referred to polar co”rdinates, any point for which the radius vector is a maximum or minimum.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster

The third law enables us to compute the time taken by the radius vector to sweep over the entire area of the orbit, which is identical with the time of revolution.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various