Chapter 11: Problem 53
If a sphere $$ \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{z^{2}}{a^{2}}=1 $$ of radius \(a\) is compressed in the \(z\) -direction, then the resulting surface, called an oblate spheroid, has an equation of the form $$ \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}=1 $$ where \(c
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Original Sphere Equation
Recognize the Oblate Spheroid Equation
Determine the Circular Trace in the XY-plane
Determine the Elliptical Trace in the XZ-plane
Conclude the Trace Properties
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sphere
Circular Trace
Several interesting points arise:
- This circle shows the unchanged cross-section in the \( xy \)-plane despite the flattening in the \( z \)-direction.
- The equation confirms that the circle retains its radius as \( a \), representing symmetry around this horizontal slice.
Elliptical Trace
- The major axis, which is the longest distance across the ellipse, lies along the \( x \)-axis. It has a length of \( 2a \).
- The minor axis, which is shorter, lies along the \( z \)-axis, with length \( 2c \). This reflects the compression from the original sphere.
XY-plane
XZ-plane
The importance of analyzing the \( xz \)-plane is based on:
- Showing how shapes change or adapt under applied transformations.
- Illustrating different aspects of geometry, highlighting structural changes that aren't visible from just one plane.