polar axis
The term "polar axis" is used in fields like astronomy, mathematics, and physics to describe a reference line or axis important for measuring angles, directions, and rotations.
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Definition
B2Astronomy
(technical)The imaginary line extending through a celestial body's poles, around which the body rotates.
Example
- The Earth rotates around its polar axis, resulting in day and night.
B2Mathematics
(technical)A fixed reference line in polar coordinates from which angles are measured, typically corresponding to the positive x-axis in Cartesian coordinates.
Example
- In polar coordinates, the angle is measured from the polar axis.
B2Physics
(technical)A reference line used to describe the rotation or symmetry of objects.
Example
- The gyroscope spins around its polar axis.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "polar axis":
major axisaxis of rotationpolar coordinatesnorth poleaxial pointpole staroptic axismagnetic poleaxis of upheavaltrue north