1. What is a Spherical Wedge Volume Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the volume of a spherical wedge (sector of a sphere) based on the central angle and radius.

Purpose: It helps in geometry, physics, and engineering calculations involving portions of spheres.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Volume of spherical wedge (cubic units)
• \( θ \) — Central angle (degrees)
• \( r \) — Radius of the sphere (any unit)
• \( \pi \) — Pi constant (~3.14159)

Explanation: The formula calculates the fraction of the full sphere's volume that corresponds to the given angle.

3. Applications of Spherical Wedge Volume

Details: Used in physics for sector volumes, engineering for partial spherical tanks, and astronomy for celestial segment calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the angle in degrees (0-360) and radius in any consistent unit. Both values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between a spherical wedge and spherical cap?
A: A wedge is defined by a central angle, while a cap is defined by height or chord length.

Q2: Can I use radians instead of degrees?
A: Yes, but you'd need to adjust the formula to use 2π instead of 360.

Q3: What if my angle is greater than 360°?
A: The calculator limits to 360° as that represents a full sphere.

Q4: Does the radius unit affect the result?
A: No, but your volume will be in cubic units of whatever radius unit you use.

Q5: How precise is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically exact, limited only by input precision and floating-point arithmetic.