\[C=2\pi r\]
Variables
Cgreat circle circumference (m)
rsphere radius (m)
Description
What is this formula?
This formula calculates the circumference of the great circle of a sphere. A great circle is the largest possible circle that can be drawn on a sphere and has the same radius as the sphere itself.
When to use it
Use this formula when determining distances around spherical bodies such as planets, globes, tanks, or spherical objects.
Example
If the radius of the sphere is 5 m:
C = 2π(5)
C ≈ 31.42 m
Applications
- Geometry and mathematics
- Earth and planetary science
- Navigation and geodesy
- Astronomy
- Mechanical engineering
- Spherical object measurements