Sphere Calculator
Volume
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Surface Area
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Diameter
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Circumference
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Sphere Formulas
V = (4/3)*pi*r^3. SA = 4*pi*r^2. Sphere has smallest surface area for given volume (why bubbles are spherical).
Archimedes: sphere = 2/3 volume and SA of circumscribing cylinder. He considered this his greatest achievement.
Earth: radius ~6,371 km, surface area ~510 million km^2, volume ~1.08 trillion km^3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sphere volume?
V = (4/3)*pi*r^3. For diameter: V = (pi/6)*d^3.
Surface area?
SA = 4*pi*r^2. Equals 4 times the great circle area.
Hemisphere?
Volume = (2/3)*pi*r^3. Total SA = 3*pi*r^2 (curved + flat base).
Great circle?
Circle on sphere whose center is the sphere center. Shortest path follows a great circle.