spherical coordinates

British  

plural noun

1. three coordinates that define the location of a point in three-dimensional space in terms of the length r of its radius vector, the angle, θ, which this vector makes with one axis, and the angle, φ, made by a second axis, perpendicular to the first, with the plane containing the first axis and the point. Usually written ( r , θ, φ)

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Example Sentences

Express the location of San Francisco in spherical coordinates.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

A sphere that has Cartesian equation x2 + y2 + z2 = c2 has the simple equation ρ = c in spherical coordinates.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

To parameterize a sphere, it is easiest to use spherical coordinates.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

The spherical coordinates of the point are ⎛2 2, 3π , π ⎞.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Grid lines for spherical coordinates are based on angle measures, like those for polar coordinates.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016