Confusing Solid And Plane Angles

In summary, angles, whether solid or plane, are a measure of how far around a circle or sphere you have gone. Solid angles measure the area on a sphere, while plane angles measure the distance along a circle. These quantities are measured in radians and steradians, respectively. The use of supplementary quantities can be confusing, but they are important physical quantities used to measure length, current, and other properties. It is helpful to think of them in terms of the radius of a circle or sphere.
  • #1
Kehsibashok
15
0
Confusing Solid And Plane Angles !

Supplementary Quantities -
1.Solid Angle - Steradian
2.Plane Angle - Radian

Doubts -
1.What Is The Use Of Supplementary Quantities ? Physical Quantities Are Used To Measure For Example .. To Measure

Length - m Current - ampere Etc... What Can I Measure Using Those.. Supplementary Quantities ? So Confusing...

2.What Is Solid Angle ? What Is Plane Angle ?

Kindly Explain Me From Basic Level To Top Level ( I Need Complete Details ) ( But It Must Be Easy To Understand )

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks In Advance ;)
 
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  • #2
Angles (solid or not) are a measure of how far around a cirlce you've gone. Given a circle, an angle (in radians) tells you the how far around the circle you've gone in terms of its radius. So if you've gone one 'radius' along the circumference, then the angle (seen in the center of the circle) between your starting point and your end point is 1 radian.

The same principle goes for solid angles. Here we are looking at a sphere, and instead of a distance along a circle, you have an area on the sphere. The solid angle tells you how much this area is in terms of the radius of the sphere squared.

This should also hint as to why we measure angles from 0 to 2pi (the circumference of a circle is 2*pi*r) and solid angles from 0 to 4pi (the area of a sphere is 4*pi*r^2).

By the way, what do you mean with "supplementary quantities" ?
 
  • #3
jeppetrost said:
Angles (solid or not) are a measure of how far around a cirlce you've gone. Given a circle, an angle (in radians) tells you the how far around the circle you've gone in terms of its radius. So if you've gone one 'radius' along the circumference, then the angle (seen in the center of the circle) between your starting point and your end point is 1 radian.

The same principle goes for solid angles. Here we are looking at a sphere, and instead of a distance along a circle, you have an area on the sphere. The solid angle tells you how much this area is in terms of the radius of the sphere squared.

This should also hint as to why we measure angles from 0 to 2pi (the circumference of a circle is 2*pi*r) and solid angles from 0 to 4pi (the area of a sphere is 4*pi*r^2).

By the way, what do you mean with "supplementary quantities" ?

plane and solid angles are collectively called as supplementary quantities.it's a bit confusing . it is better if there is any animated video. :)
 

FAQ: Confusing Solid And Plane Angles

What is the difference between solid and plane angles?

Solid angles are three-dimensional angles that measure the amount of space enclosed by a three-dimensional object. Plane angles are two-dimensional angles that measure the rotation between two intersecting lines in a plane.

How do you convert between solid and plane angles?

To convert from a solid angle to a plane angle, you can use the formula: plane angle = solid angle / (distance)^2. To convert from a plane angle to a solid angle, you can use the formula: solid angle = plane angle * (distance)^2.

Can solid and plane angles be measured in the same units?

No, solid angles are typically measured in units such as steradians (sr) or square degrees, while plane angles are measured in units such as radians or degrees.

How are solid and plane angles used in science and engineering?

Solid and plane angles are used in various fields of science and engineering to measure and describe the direction and orientation of objects or forces. They are especially important in fields such as optics, astronomy, and fluid mechanics.

What are some real-life examples of solid and plane angles?

Some examples of solid angles include the field of view of a camera or telescope, the radiation pattern of an antenna, or the coverage area of a light source. Some examples of plane angles include the angles of elevation and depression in surveying, the angles of rotation in a machine part, or the angles of incidence and reflection in optics.

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