Eccentricity of Ellipse Formula:
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Eccentricity of an ellipse is a measure of how much the ellipse deviates from being a perfect circle. It is defined as the ratio of the distance between the foci to the length of the major axis. The eccentricity value ranges from 0 (perfect circle) to 1 (highly elongated ellipse).
The calculator uses the eccentricity formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the eccentricity based on the area and semi minor axis of the ellipse, showing how the shape's elongation relates to its geometric properties.
Details: Eccentricity is a fundamental parameter in ellipse geometry that helps characterize the shape's properties. It's crucial in various applications including astronomy (planetary orbits), engineering (elliptical designs), and physics (orbital mechanics).
Tips: Enter the semi minor axis in meters and area in square meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the eccentricity value between 0 and 1.
Q1: What does an eccentricity of 0 mean?
A: An eccentricity of 0 indicates a perfect circle, where both foci coincide at the center.
Q2: Can eccentricity be greater than 1?
A: No, for ellipses, eccentricity always ranges from 0 to 1. Values greater than 1 indicate hyperbolas.
Q3: How is this formula derived?
A: The formula is derived from the relationship between area, semi axes, and the definition of eccentricity in ellipse geometry.
Q4: What are practical applications of ellipse eccentricity?
A: Eccentricity is used in astronomy for orbital calculations, in engineering for elliptical gear designs, and in architecture for elliptical structures.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise when accurate input values are provided, using the exact value of π for computation.