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ellipsoid of revolution
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ellipsoid of revolution

geometry
Also known as: spheroid
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Quick Summary

An ellipsoid of revolution, also known as a spheroid, is a three-dimensional shape generated by rotating an ellipse around one of its axes. If the ellipse is revolved around its major axis, it forms a prolate spheroid, which is elongated. If revolved around its minor axis, it creates an oblate spheroid, which is flattened.123

This shape is a specific type of ellipsoid, a surface where all plane cross-sections are either ellipses or circles. An ellipsoid is symmetrical around three perpendicular axes. The Earth itself is approximated as an oblate spheroid due to its rotation.2

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. prolate spheroid
  2. ellipsoid of revolution
  3. ellipsoid

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