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

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spherical coordinates

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

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

Similarly, spherical coordinates are useful for dealing with problems involving spheres, such as finding the volume of domed structures.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

Sydney, Australia is at 34°S and 151°E. Express Sydney’s location in spherical coordinates.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

For the following exercises, the spherical coordinates of a point are given.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

Cylindrical and spherical coordinates give us the flexibility to select a coordinate system appropriate to the problem at hand.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016