The term "oblate spheroid" refers to a three-dimensional object that is flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. The spelling of "oblate spheroid" is broken down phonetically as əʊbleɪt sfɛrɔɪd. The first syllable, "o-," is pronounced as "oh" and the second syllable, "-blate," is pronounced as "blate." Spheroid is broken down into "s-," pronounced as "ess," "-fer-," pronounced as "fer," and "-oid," pronounced as "oyd." This term is commonly used in the fields of geology, physics, and astronomy to describe the shape of celestial bodies such as planets, moons, and asteroids.
An oblate spheroid is a three-dimensional geometric shape that approximates the sphere. It is obtained by rotating an ellipse around its shorter axis, resulting in a solid object with a slightly flattened shape. The term "oblate" refers to the fact that the shape is flattened in relation to the sphere, while "spheroid" indicates that it still maintains the overall roundness typical of a sphere.
The oblate spheroid can be visualized as a sphere that has been compressed in one direction, causing it to become slightly elongated along its poles and flattened around its equator. This means that the equatorial diameter of an oblate spheroid is larger than the distance from pole to pole. The degree of flattening, known as the ellipticity or eccentricity, determines the specific proportions of an oblate spheroid.
This shape occurs naturally in celestial bodies such as planets, due to their rotation causing a centrifugal force that causes the equator to bulge outwards. Earth is a prime example of an oblate spheroid, with its polar radius measuring slightly shorter than its equatorial radius. Scientists use the oblate spheroid as a mathematical model to describe and understand the shape of various astronomical and geophysical bodies, aiding in fields such as astronomy, geodesy, and physics.
A spheroid depressed or flattened at the poles.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "oblate" derives from the Latin word "oblatus", which means "flattened" or "pressed down". The term "spheroid" comes from the Greek word "sphaira", meaning "globe" or "sphere". Combining these two elements, "oblate spheroid" refers to a shape that is flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator, resembling a sphere that has been compressed. The term is commonly used to describe the shape of the Earth and other celestial bodies.