What's the difference? I have a Geography [GIS] test tomorrow and I need to know. Thanks for the help!
2006-10-02 15:38:37 · 7 answers · asked by Mike 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
For a sphere, there is a center, and all points on the surface of the sphere to the center are equidistant. On an ellipsoid, they are not.
2006-10-02 15:41:41 · answer #1 · answered by holden 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In mathematics, an ellipsoid is a type of quadric that is a higher dimensional analogue of an ellipse. The equation of a standard ellipsoid in an x-y-z Cartesian coordinate system is
x2/a2+y2/b2+z2/c2=1
where a, b and c (the lengths of the three semi-axes) are fixed positive real numbers determining the shape of the ellipsoid. If two of those numbers are equal, the ellipsoid is a spheroid; if all three are equal, it is a sphere.
If it is assumed a ≥ b ≥ c, then, when:
a = b = c, it is the aforementioned sphere;
a = b > c, the ellipsoid is an oblate spheroid (disk-shaped);
a > b = c, the ellipsoid is a prolate spheroid (cigar-shaped);
a > b > c, the ellipsoid is scalene.
A sphere is a perfectly symmetrical geometrical object. In mathematics, the term refers to the surface or boundary of a ball, but in non-mathematical usage, the term is used to refer either to a three-dimensional ball or to its surface. This article deals with the mathematical concept of a sphere. In physics, a sphere is an object (usually idealized for the sake of simplicity) capable of colliding or stacking with other objects which occupy space.
2006-10-02 15:43:51 · answer #2 · answered by Truly_Complexed 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An ellipsoid is the most general 3-D body. A truly triaxial ellipsoid has its three axes unequal. If two of the three axes are equal , an ellipsoid becomes a spheroid, which can be either oblate or prolate In an oblate spheroid the two equal axes are longer than the third. In a prolate spheroid, the two equal axes are shorter than the third. Earth , eg , is an oblate spheroid. A disk is an extreme form of an oblate spheroid. A rotating but must necessarily be non-spherical.In a sphere are three axes are equal.
2006-10-03 01:36:44 · answer #3 · answered by Rajesh Kochhar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, FrogDog. Ellipsoids can take any of three shapes. A football is a prolate spheroid (length greater than its waist). The spinning earth is an oblate spheroid (height less than its waist).
2006-10-02 18:00:22 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shape. Ellipsoid is shaped like a football and a sphere is shaped like a basketball.
2006-10-02 15:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by FrogDog 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Think of it as: circle is to ellipse as sphere is to ellipsoid.
2006-10-02 15:55:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What Is Spheroid
2016-12-18 14:59:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋