solid angle

American  

noun

Geometry.

1. an angle formed by three or more planes intersecting in a common point or formed at the vertex of a cone.

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solid angle British  

noun

1. a geometric surface consisting of lines originating from a common point (the vertex) and passing through a closed curve or polygon: measured in steradians

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solid angle Scientific  

1. A three-dimensional angle, formed by three or more planes intersecting at a common point. Its magnitude is measured in steradians, a unitless measure. The corner of a room forms a solid angle, as does the apex of a cone; one can imagine an indefinite number of planes forming the smooth round surface of the cone all intersecting at the apex. Solid angles are commonly used in photometry.

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Etymology

Origin of solid angle

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

solid angle

The miniature solid angle also recurs in the central quartering.

From Mohave Pottery by Michaell J. Harner

Hence the total solid angle round any point is 4π.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

There is no telling what the web and rivets would have borne had not the solid angle irons given way at the first bend.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 648, June 2, 1888. by Various

Of two plaine angles a solid angle cannot be comprehended.

From The Way To Geometry by William Bedwell

Every solid angle is contained by plane angles, which are together less than four right angles—has no analogous theorem in the plane.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various