How to calculate center coordinates of two reverse arcs in 3D space

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the center coordinates of two reverse arcs in 3D space, given specific points and conditions regarding tangency and equal radius. The problem involves geometric considerations in three dimensions and the relationships between the arcs and tangent lines.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a specific geometric problem involving points P1, P2, P3, and P4, and seeks to find the coordinates of centers C1 and C2 of two reverse arcs that are tangent to each other.
  • Another participant questions whether the arcs are in the same plane, indicating a potential complexity in the problem.
  • A third participant suggests that the arcs may not be circular, implying that the entire curve may not lie within a single plane, which could affect the calculations.
  • A later reply proposes rephrasing the problem in terms of spheres of equal radius, suggesting that the surfaces of these spheres are tangent at a point, with specific lines being tangent to each sphere's surface.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the geometric properties of the arcs, including their planarity and whether they are circular. There is no consensus on how to approach the problem or the assumptions that can be made regarding the arcs.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the planarity of the arcs and whether they are circular, which may affect the methods used to find the centers. The problem also depends on the definitions of tangency and the specific geometric relationships between the points and arcs.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those involved in geometric modeling, computer graphics, or any field requiring calculations of curves and tangents in three-dimensional space.

Brad_
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Hi,

Given 3D points P1(200,60,140), P2(300,120,110), P3(3,0,-1), P4(-100,0,-1) and the radius of
arc C1MP3 is equal to radius of arc C2MP1. How do I calculate coordinates x, y, z of
points C1 and C2? See this image.

Points C1 and C2 are centers of two reverse arcs which are tangent to each other at point M which lies on ray Q1Q2.
Arc C1MP3 is tangent to ray P3P4 and arc C2MP1 is tangent to ray P1P2.



Points Q1 and Q2 emerge as a result of moving points P1 and P3 in the direction obvious from picture.
It is easy to calculate centers of arcs with different radius. But how to calculate centers of arcs
with equal radius. How to find the position of points Q1 and Q2?
 

Attachments

  • reversearcs.PNG
    reversearcs.PNG
    13.7 KB · Views: 535
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF;
We do not know the curves are in the same plane?
 
And it doesn't appear from the diagram that the arcs are necessarily circular, either. That is, it doesn't appear that the entire curve lies within a single plane.
 
Perhaps you can phrase the problem as asking for the centers of two spheres of equal radius whose surfaces are tangent at some point and such that line P1P2 is tangent to the surface of one sphere and line P3P4 is tangent to the surface of the other.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
18K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
23K
Replies
2
Views
3K