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

Definition.—The solid angle subtended by any surface at a point is measured by the quotient of its apparent surface by the square of its distance from that point.

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

A solid angle is that which is made by more than two plane angles meeting in one point and not lying in the same plane, as the angle of a cube.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various

The miniature solid angle also recurs in the central quartering.

From Mohave Pottery by Harner, Michaell J.

Pascal’s Theorem.—If a solid angle of six faces be inscribed in a cone of the second order, then the intersections of opposite faces are three lines in a plane.

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

If a solid angle be contained by three plane angles, any two of them are together greater than the third.

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