Circle vs. Sphere: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A circle is a 2D shape with all points equidistant from a center; a sphere is a 3D object where all surface points are equidistant from a center.
Key Differences
A circle is a two-dimensional shape defined by a set of points in a plane that are all the same distance from a central point. This distance is known as the radius. In contrast, a sphere is a three-dimensional object, where every point on its surface is equidistant from its center. The concept of a sphere extends the principle of a circle into a three-dimensional space.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
In geometry, the circle is often represented by its circumference, which is the continuous line forming its boundary. The sphere, however, is represented by its surface, a continuous, curved, two-dimensional boundary in three-dimensional space. The circle's properties are confined to the plane it lies in, while the sphere's properties encompass the space it occupies.
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Dec 05, 2023
A circle has properties such as circumference and area, calculated using its radius. A sphere's properties include surface area and volume, which are also calculated using its radius but involve different geometric formulas due to the sphere's three-dimensional nature.
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Dec 05, 2023
The circle and sphere also differ in their applications. Circles are commonly found in two-dimensional contexts like graphic design and architecture. Spheres, on the other hand, find their use in three-dimensional applications like in modeling celestial bodies or in 3D design.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Circle and Sphere Definitions
Circle
A process or series of events that repeats and leads back to the starting point.
The lifecycle of a product often goes in a full circle.
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Nov 25, 2023
Sphere
A three-dimensional round shape, like a ball, with every point on its surface equidistant from its center.
The globe is a miniature model of the Earth, a sphere.
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Nov 25, 2023
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Circle
A plane curve everywhere equidistant from a given fixed point, the center.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A field or area of activity, influence, or expertise.
She has considerable influence in the political sphere.
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Nov 25, 2023
Sphere
An object having this shape, either solid or hollow.
He carved a wooden sphere as part of his art project.
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Nov 25, 2023
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Sphere
A celestial body, such as a planet or star, approximating this shape.
Astronomers study celestial spheres like planets and stars.
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Nov 25, 2023
Circle
A circular or nearly circular course, circuit, or orbit:a satellite's circle around the earth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
(Mathematics) A three-dimensional surface, all points of which are equidistant from a fixed point.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A series or process that finishes at its starting point or continuously repeats itself; a cycle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A group of people sharing an interest, activity, or achievement:well-known in artistic circles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
The sky, appearing as a hemisphere to an observer
The sphere of the heavens.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A territorial or administrative division, especially of a province, in some European countries.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
Any of a series of concentric, transparent, revolving globes that together were once thought to contain the moon, sun, planets, and stars.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A range or extent of knowledge, interest, or activity
A problem that falls within the sphere of biophysics.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A social level or part of society or group
Knew few people beyond his partner's sphere.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(geometry) A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from a given point (center).
The set of all points (x, y) such that {{(x
R2}} is a circle of radius r around the point (1, 0).
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
(mathematics) A regular three-dimensional object in which every cross-section is a circle; the figure described by the revolution of a circle about its diameter . Category:en:Surfaces
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance (radius) from a given point.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.
Children, please join hands and form a circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
The apparent outer limit of space; the edge of the heavens, imagined as a hollow globe within which celestial bodies appear to be embedded.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures.
Cut a circle out of that sheet of metal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
Any of the concentric hollow transparent globes formerly believed to rotate around the Earth, and which carried the heavenly bodies; there were originally believed to be eight, and later nine and ten; friction between them was thought to cause a harmonious sound (the music of the spheres).
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle.
The crank moves in a circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
(mythology) An area of activity for a planet; or by extension, an area of influence for a god, hero etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest.
Inner circle
Circle of friends
Literary circle
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
(figuratively) The region in which something or someone is active; one's province, domain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
(geometry) The set of all points in three-dimensional Euclidean space (or n-dimensional space, in topology) that are a fixed distance from a fixed point .
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(cricket) A line comprising two semicircles of 30 yards radius centred on the wickets joined by straight lines parallel to the pitch used to enforce field restrictions in a one-day match.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
(logic) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(Wicca) A ritual circle that is cast three times deosil and closes three times widdershins either in the air with a wand or literally with stones or other items used for worship.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
(transitive) To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to ensphere.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(astronomy) An instrument of observation, whose graduated limb consists of an entire circle. When fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth.
Of celestial bodies, first the sun,A mighty sphere, he framed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(logic) A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence.
To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't.
Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself.
Each in his hidden sphere of joy or woeOur hermit spirits dwell.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A territorial division or district.
The ten Circles of the Holy Roman Empire were those principalities or provinces which had seats in the German Diet.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(in the plural) A bagginess of the skin below the eyes from lack of sleep.
After working all night, she had circles under her eyes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(transitive) To travel around along a curved path.
The wolves circled the herd of deer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere.
The glorious planet SolIn noble eminence enthroned and spheredAmidst the other.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
(transitive) To place or mark a circle around.
Circle the jobs that you are interested in applying for.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A particular environment or walk of life;
His social sphere is limited
It was a closed area of employment
He's out of my orbit
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it, called the center.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A particular aspect of life or activity;
He was helpless in an important sector of his life
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A solid figure bounded by a spherical surface (including the space it encloses)
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A round body; a sphere; an orb.
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from the center
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A company assembled, or conceived to assemble, about a central point of interest, or bound by a common tie; a class or division of society; a coterie; a set.
As his name gradually became known, the circle of his acquaintance widened.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sphere
A social or hierarchical level or position.
His work elevated him to the upper spheres of academic circles.
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Nov 25, 2023
Circle
A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.
Thus in a circle runs the peasant's pain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.
That heavy bodies descend by gravity; and, again, that gravity is a quality whereby a heavy body descends, is an impertinent circle and teaches nothing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Indirect form of words; circumlocution.
Has he given the lie,In circle, or oblique, or semicircle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
To encompass, as by a circle; to surround; to inclose; to encircle.
Their heads are circled with a short turban.
So he lies, circled with evil.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate.
Thy name shall circle round the gaping through.
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point;
He calculated the circumference of the circle
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
An unofficial association of people or groups;
The smart set goes there
They were an angry lot
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Something approximating the shape of a circle;
The chairs were arranged in a circle
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Movement once around a course;
He drove an extra lap just for insurance
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island;
The accident blocked all traffic at the rotary
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A curved section or tier of seats in a hall or theater or opera house; usually the first tier above the orchestra;
They had excellent seats in the dress circle
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Any circular or rotating mechanism;
The machine punched out metal circles
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
Be around;
Developments surround the town
The river encircles the village
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Oct 19, 2023
Circle
A round plane figure whose boundary consists of points equidistant from a fixed point.
The sun appeared as a perfect circle in the sky.
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Nov 25, 2023
Circle
A group of people with shared professions or interests.
She was part of a literary circle.
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Nov 25, 2023
Circle
A territorial or administrative division, especially in certain countries.
He was assigned to the northern circle of the region.
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Nov 25, 2023
Circle
A curved line forming a closed loop, with every point on the line the same distance from the center.
The artist drew a perfect circle without a compass.
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Nov 25, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a circle have volume?
No, a circle is a 2D shape and does not have volume.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What is a sphere?
A sphere is a three-dimensional object with all surface points equidistant from its center.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What is a circle?
A circle is a two-dimensional shape with all points on its edge equidistant from its center.
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Dec 05, 2023
What is the diameter of a circle?
The diameter is the longest straight line passing through the center, equal to twice the radius.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are all circles the same shape?
Yes, all circles have the same shape but can have different sizes.
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Dec 05, 2023
How is a circle different from an ellipse?
In a circle, all points are equidistant from the center, unlike an ellipse.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can a sphere have a circumference?
Yes, any great circle (a circle cut through the sphere's center) has a circumference.
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Dec 05, 2023
What is the diameter of a sphere?
Similar to a circle, it is the longest straight line passing through the center.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are all spheres the same shape?
Yes, all spheres have the same shape but can vary in size.
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Dec 05, 2023
What is an example of a circle in nature?
A ripple in water forms a circle.
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Dec 05, 2023
What is an example of a sphere in nature?
Planets and stars are natural examples of spheres.
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Dec 05, 2023
What is a sector of a circle?
A sector is a part of a circle enclosed by two radii and an arc.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can a sphere be two-dimensional?
No, a sphere is inherently a three-dimensional object.
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Dec 05, 2023
What is a hemisphere?
A hemisphere is half of a sphere, divided by a flat plane.
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Dec 05, 2023
How is a sphere different from an ellipsoid?
A sphere has equal radii in all directions, unlike an ellipsoid.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is a circle always flat?
Yes, a circle is always a flat, two-dimensional shape.
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Dec 05, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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