Formula Used:
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The Midsphere Radius of a Rhombic Dodecahedron is the radius of the sphere that is tangent to all the edges of the polyhedron. It lies midway between the insphere (tangent to faces) and circumsphere (passing through vertices).
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula establishes a direct proportional relationship between the midsphere radius and insphere radius of a rhombic dodecahedron, with a constant factor of \( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} \).
Details: Calculating the midsphere radius is important in crystallography, material science, and geometry for understanding the spatial relationships within the rhombic dodecahedron structure, which appears naturally in crystal formations and optimal space-filling arrangements.
Tips: Enter the insphere radius value in meters. The value must be positive and greater than zero. The calculator will compute the corresponding midsphere radius.
Q1: What is a rhombic dodecahedron?
A: A rhombic dodecahedron is a convex polyhedron with 12 congruent rhombic faces. It is a Catalan solid and the dual polyhedron of the cuboctahedron.
Q2: Why is the constant factor \( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} \) used?
A: This factor arises from the geometric relationships between the insphere, midsphere, and the edge lengths of the rhombic dodecahedron, specifically from the angles and proportions of its rhombic faces.
Q3: Can this formula be used for other polyhedra?
A: No, this specific formula applies only to the rhombic dodecahedron. Other polyhedra have different relationships between their insphere and midsphere radii.
Q4: What are practical applications of this calculation?
A: This calculation is used in materials science for modeling crystal structures, in engineering for designing efficient packing systems, and in computer graphics for 3D modeling.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact for a perfect rhombic dodecahedron. The accuracy of practical applications depends on the precision of the input measurement.