Geometry - Sperical Sector

Spherical Sector

Definition, Properties, and Formulae of a Spherical Sector

A spherical sector is a portion of a sphere, defined by a central angle (\( \theta \)) and a radius. It is the 3D equivalent of a sector in a circle. The sector is shaped like a "pie slice," with a central angle that forms the "slice" of the sphere. It's a region bounded by two radii and the arc of a great circle.

Spherical Sector

Key Parameters

  • \( R \): Radius of the sphere
  • \( h \): Height of the spherical sector (distance from the base of the sector to the vertex)
  • \( \theta \): Central angle of the sector in radians (related to the arc angle)
  • \( \pi \approx 3.1416 \)

1. Volume of the Spherical Sector \(V\)

\[ V = \frac{2}{3} \pi R^2 h \]

This formula calculates the volume of the spherical sector. It's derived by considering the sector's portion of the sphere and integrating the volume within the boundaries of the sector.

2. Surface Area of the Spherical Sector \(A\)

\[ A = \pi R (r + 2h) \]

Here, \( r \) is the radius of the base circle of the sector, and \( h \) is the height from the base to the top. This formula gives the total surface area, including the spherical curved surface and the base circle.

Applications

  • Used in calculating volumes and surface areas of spherical caps or segments in engineering and design
  • Common in applications involving spherical tanks or domes that are cut into specific sectors for analysis
  • Frequently appears in physics, especially in situations involving rotational motion or spherical harmonics
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