Solid angle is spelled as /ˈsɑlɪd ˈæŋɡəl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "solid" is pronounced as /ˈsɑlɪd/ with the stress on the first syllable and sounds like SAW-lid. The word "angle" is pronounced as /ˈæŋɡəl/ with stress on the first syllable and sounds like ANG-gull. The word refers to the amount of space an object takes up in three-dimensional space. It is a term commonly used in geometry and is important in various mathematical and scientific applications.
Solid angle is a geometric concept that measures the amount of space spanned by a three-dimensional object as observed from a particular point in space. It is defined as the extent of the cone formed by all possible lines emanating from a point and intersecting the surface of the object. In other words, it measures the amount of a solid figure that is visible from a given perspective.
The measurement of solid angle is usually expressed in steradians (sr), which are a unit of measurement for the extent of the solid angle on a sphere with a radius of one. One steradian corresponds to the area of the segment of a unit sphere created by a cone with a central angle of one radian.
Solid angle is a crucial concept in various fields, including mathematics, physics, and astronomy. It plays a fundamental role in understanding and calculating flux, radiation intensity, and other related quantities. In practical terms, solid angle provides a way to quantify the concentration or dispersion of a physical property (e.g., light, sound, electromagnetic radiation) in space, allowing for more accurate predictions and analysis.
Overall, solid angle provides a quantitative measure of the spatial extent of an object as observed from a specific viewpoint, aiding in the understanding of a variety of phenomena and facilitating calculations and predictions in multiple scientific disciplines.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
An angle made by more than two plane angels meeting in a point.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "solid angle" is derived from the combination of "solid" and "angle".
The term "solid" comes from the Latin word "solidus", meaning "firm, hard, or compact". It originally referred to substances that were resistant to pressure or not easily broken. Over time, the term was adopted in mathematics and physics to describe objects that occupy three-dimensional space and have a definite shape or form.
The word "angle" has its roots in the Latin word "angulus", which means "corner or angle". In ancient geometry, an angle referred to the space between two intersecting lines or surfaces, often measured in degrees.
When the terms "solid" and "angle" are combined, the resulting phrase "solid angle" refers to a three-dimensional angle, which measures the extent of a spatial region or the portion of solid enclosed by a conical surface.