Measuring Solid Angle of Cuboid: Steradians

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on how to measure the solid angle of a cuboid, specifically in terms of steradians. Participants explore mathematical relationships and formulas related to solid angles, with a particular interest in non-spherical shapes.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about measuring the solid angle of a cuboid and mentions having read about steradians without formal study.
  • Another participant proposes a formula involving the volume of the cuboid and attempts to relate it to steradians, suggesting that the total steradians of a cuboid is 720π.
  • A subsequent post questions the correctness of the initial formula and suggests that the relationship between degrees and steradians should be reconsidered, proposing a different formula involving 4π instead of 720π.
  • Another participant challenges the use of 360^2 in the calculations, indicating that it does not represent steradians.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct approach to calculating the solid angle of a cuboid, with no consensus reached on the formulas presented or the interpretation of steradians in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants' discussions include unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the relationships between degrees, steradians, and the geometry of the cuboid.

Atran
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Hi, How can I measure one solid angle of a cuboid, at least a non-sphere shape?
I've read about steradians on internet, so I haven't studied it in any textbook.

Thanks...
 
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A cuboid with the sides (a), (b) and (c).
I think the total steradians of it is 3602=(129600*π)/360=720π

V = a*b*c
V = (4π(r3))/3

((3*a*b*c)/4π)(1/3) = r
((3*a*b*c)/4π)(2/3) = r2

((3*a*b*c)/4π)(2/3) * 720π = A

Is that procedure correct?
 
Last edited:
Atran said:
I think the total steradians of it is 3602=(129600*π)/360=720π
I wrote incorrect above, right?
If a circle and a rectangle have totally 360 degrees, therefore a sphere has the same amount of degrees (4π) as a cuboid has.

So this should be incorrect ((3*a*b*c)/4π)(2/3) * 720π = A),
and the correct one should be: ((3*a*b*c)/4π)(2/3)) * 4π = A

All I want is to measure one point's degrees in a cuboid.
 
Last edited:
Don't use 360^2. That would be stedegrees or something. Not steradians.
 

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