A sphere is a 3-dimensional geometric shape made up of an infinite number of points at a fixed distance from a central location. The distance from a point on the sphere’s surface to the center is called the radius.
There are no edges or vertices in a sphere so a sphere geometric shape is created by revolving a circle around a diameter.
The surface area of a sphere can be calculated using the formula 4π r²; the volume is (4/3)π r³ – where r is the radius of the sphere.
Properties of a Sphere
- A sphere is symmetric in all directions.
- A sphere consists only of curved surface area and does not have edges.
- All points on the curved surface of the sphere are the same distance from the sphere’s centre.
- Of all the three-dimensional shapes with the same surface area, the sphere has the largest potential capacity or volume.
Examples of Sphere
1. Balls.
The balls used in bowling are an excellent example of a geometric shape called a sphere. For example, bowling balls, cricket balls, volleyballs, basketballs, tennis ball, etc. are all made in the shape of a perfect sphere.
2. Globe.
The planet Earth is a spheroid which is similar to a spherical three-dimensional geometric shape. For simplicity, our planet has the shape of a sphere, which is why the globes are designed that way as a sphere.
3. Balloon.
Some of the balloons used for decoration purposes are spherical in shape.
4. Yarn.
A yarn ball is round in shape and forms a prominent example of a sphere.
5. Bulb.
Bulbs are usually constructed in oval, cylindrical, or spherical shapes.
6. Lollipop.
The candy portion of a lollipop is generally shaped like a sphere and is attached to a cylindrical pipe.
7. Marbles.
Marbles are yet another example of spherical objects used in daily life.
8. Fruits and Vegetables.
The spherical shape applies to many fruits and vegetables like of this category, tomato, cherry, musk melon, watermelon, and orange. Some of them are not really spherical but are close to a spheroidal geometric shape.
9. Water Droplets.
Water droplets are naturally spherical in shape.
10. Stones.
Stones are available in nature in a variety of shapes and sizes out of which one of the most common and rare shapes is a sphere.
11. Chocolate.
Chocolate manufacturing companies generally make use of the sphere geometric shape to produce chocolates and other edible food items.
12. Soap Bubbles.
A soap bubble is the perfect example of spherical objects around us. The cool thing is that whether a soap bubble is blown from a square loop, a cubical loop, or haphazardly from any shape of a loop, it will find a way to maintain a spherical shape. Basically, it is a natural tendency of a soap bubble to take the shape of a sphere.
13. Pendulum Bob.
A pendulum bob is yet another example of spherical objects presents around us.
14. Eyeball.
Our eyeballs are a perfect example of a sphere.
15. Christmas Decoration.
A number of Christmas decoration items are spherical in shape.
16. Pom Poms.
Pom poms, used by the cheer squad, are a classic example of spherical objects present around us.
17. Cotton Balls.
Cotton balls used in daily life are usually spherical in shape.