Circle vs. Sphere: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on November 5, 2023
A "Circle" is a flat, 2D shape with all points equidistant from a center, while a "Sphere" is a 3D object with all surface points equidistant from its center.
Key Differences
A "Circle" is a two-dimensional geometric figure, whereas a "Sphere" is a three-dimensional shape, representing a significant difference in their visual and mathematical properties.
In a "Circle," all points on the line are at an equal distance from the center point, but in a "Sphere," all external points are at an equal distance from the center point in three-dimensional space.
The area of a "Circle" is calculated using πr², while the surface area of a "Sphere" is determined by 4πr², showcasing different mathematical approaches due to their dimensional properties.
A "Circle" is defined by its radius and circumference, while a "Sphere" has a radius, diameter, circumference, and also volume, making the sphere's characteristics more extensive.
"Circles" are often seen in everyday items like wheels, plates, and coins, while "Spheres" are common in balls, globes, and planets, demonstrating their practical applications in various dimensions.
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Comparison Chart
Dimensions
Two-dimensional
Three-dimensional
Formula
Area = πr²
Surface Area = 4πr², Volume = 4/3πr³
Definition
All points equidistant from a center in a flat plane
All points equidistant from a center in three-dimensional space
Real-world examples
Wheels, coins
Balls, planets
Properties
Radius, circumference
Radius, diameter, circumference, volume
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Circle and Sphere Definitions
Circle
A "Circle" is a perfectly round geometric figure;
The children drew a circle in the sand.
Sphere
A "Sphere" can represent many real-world three-dimensional objects;
The planet Earth is a sphere.
Circle
A "Circle" exists on a flat plane;
The artist's circle was perfectly flat.
Sphere
(Mathematics) A three-dimensional surface, all points of which are equidistant from a fixed point.
Circle
In a "Circle," all points on the perimeter are equidistant from the center;
There was a dot in the middle of the circle.
Sphere
A spherical object or figure.
Circle
A "Circle" can represent many real-world objects;
The moon formed a bright circle in the night sky.
Sphere
A celestial body, such as a planet or star.
Circle
A plane curve everywhere equidistant from a given fixed point, the center.
Sphere
The sky, appearing as a hemisphere to an observer
The sphere of the heavens.
Circle
A planar region bounded by a circle.
Sphere
Any of a series of concentric, transparent, revolving globes that together were once thought to contain the moon, sun, planets, and stars.
Circle
Something, such as a ring, shaped like such a plane curve.
Sphere
A range or extent of knowledge, interest, or activity
A problem that falls within the sphere of biophysics.
Circle
A circular or nearly circular course, circuit, or orbit:a satellite's circle around the earth.
Sphere
A social level or part of society or group
Knew few people beyond his partner's sphere.
Circle
A traffic circle.
Sphere
A range of power or influence
Within the sphere of the empire.
Circle
A series or process that finishes at its starting point or continuously repeats itself; a cycle.
Sphere
To form into a sphere.
Circle
A group of people sharing an interest, activity, or achievement:well-known in artistic circles.
Sphere
To put in or within a sphere.
Circle
A territorial or administrative division, especially of a province, in some European countries.
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
Circle
A sphere of influence or interest; domain.
Sphere
A spherical physical object; a globe or ball.
Circle
(Logic)A vicious circle.
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.
Circle
To make or form a circle around:The hedge circles the fountain.
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).
Circle
To move in a circle around:The ship circled the island.
Sphere
(mythology) An area of activity for a planet; or by extension, an area of influence for a god, hero etc.
Circle
To move in a circle.
Sphere
(figuratively) The region in which something or someone is active; one's province, domain.
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).
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 .
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.
Sphere
(logic) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
Circle
Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.
Children, please join hands and form a circle.
Sphere
(transitive) To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to ensphere.
Circle
Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures.
Cut a circle out of that sheet of metal.
Sphere
(transitive) To make round or spherical; to perfect.
Circle
A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle.
The crank moves in a circle.
Sphere
A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
Circle
A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest.
Inner circle
Circle of friends
Literary circle
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.
Circle
The orbit of an astronomical body.
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.
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.
Sphere
The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
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.
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.
Circle
A traffic circle or roundabout.
Sphere
Rank; order of society; social positions.
Circle
(obsolete) Compass; circuit; enclosure.
Sphere
An orbit, as of a star; a socket.
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.
Sphere
To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere.
The glorious planet SolIn noble eminence enthroned and spheredAmidst the other.
Circle
A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.
Sphere
To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect.
Circle
(logic) A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.
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
Circle
Indirect form of words; circumlocution.
Sphere
Any spherically shaped artifact
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.
Sphere
The geographical area in which one nation is very influential
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.
Sphere
A particular aspect of life or activity;
He was helpless in an important sector of his life
Circle
(transitive) To travel around along a curved path.
The wolves circled the herd of deer.
Sphere
A solid figure bounded by a spherical surface (including the space it encloses)
Circle
(transitive) To surround.
A high fence circles the enclosure.
Sphere
A three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from the center
Circle
(transitive) To place or mark a circle around.
Circle the jobs that you are interested in applying for.
Sphere
The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
Circle
(intransitive) To travel in circles.
Vultures circled overhead.
Sphere
A "Sphere" is a round solid figure;
The crystal ball was a perfect sphere.
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.
Sphere
In a "Sphere," all points on the surface are equidistant from the center;
The sphere's surface was smooth and even.
Circle
The line that bounds such a figure; a circumference; a ring.
Sphere
A "Sphere" has three-dimensional space inside;
The volume of the sphere was calculated for the science experiment.
Circle
An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle.
Sphere
A "Sphere" has an infinite number of symmetrical axes;
No matter how she turned the sphere, it looked the same.
Circle
A round body; a sphere; an orb.
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.
Circle
Compass; circuit; inclosure.
In the circle of this forest.
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.
Circle
A circular group of persons; a ring.
Circle
A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.
Thus in a circle runs the peasant's pain.
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.
Circle
Indirect form of words; circumlocution.
Has he given the lie,In circle, or oblique, or semicircle.
Circle
A territorial division or district.
Circle
To move around; to revolve around.
Other planets circle other suns.
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.
Circle
To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate.
Thy name shall circle round the gaping through.
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
Circle
An unofficial association of people or groups;
The smart set goes there
They were an angry lot
Circle
Something approximating the shape of a circle;
The chairs were arranged in a circle
Circle
Movement once around a course;
He drove an extra lap just for insurance
Circle
A road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island;
The accident blocked all traffic at the rotary
Circle
Street names for flunitrazepan
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
Circle
Any circular or rotating mechanism;
The machine punched out metal circles
Circle
Travel around something;
Circle the globe
Circle
Move in circles
Circle
Be around;
Developments surround the town
The river encircles the village
Circle
Form a circle around;
Encircle the errors
Circle
A "Circle" is defined by the length around its edge;
He measured the circle's circumference with a string.
FAQs
Is a circle the same as a sphere?
No, a circle is flat and two-dimensional, while a sphere is solid and three-dimensional.
Can a circle have a volume?
No, circles are two-dimensional and have only area, not volume.
How do you find the area of a circle?
The area of a circle is π times the radius squared (πr²).
Do circles have edges?
Circles have a boundary called the circumference, but no edges like polygons.
Are all points on the sphere's surface the same distance from the center?
Yes, that's the defining characteristic of a sphere.
How many faces does a sphere have?
A sphere has one continuous, curved face.
What's the formula for the volume of a sphere?
The volume is 4/3 times π times the radius cubed (4/3πr³).
Is the Earth a perfect sphere?
No, it's an oblate spheroid, slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator.
Can a circle be turned into a sphere?
Through rotation around a diameter, a circle can generate a sphere in three dimensions.
What's the line called that goes from one side of the circle to the other through the center?
That's the diameter.
Can circles exist in three-dimensional space?
Circles are two-dimensional but can be represented in three-dimensional space.
Can a sphere be measured in square units?
Its surface area can, but its volume is measured in cubic units.
Is there a point inside a sphere that's not part of it?
No, all points within a sphere's surface are part of the sphere.
What's a three-dimensional circle called?
That's a sphere.
Are there circles in nature?
Yes, you can see them in things like tree rings and ripples on water.
Are there perfect spheres in nature?
Natural objects may approximate spheres, but perfect spheres are ideal forms.
What's half a circle called?
It's called a semicircle.
Is a circle's circumference its perimeter?
Yes, the terms are interchangeable in this case.
Is a bubble a sphere?
A bubble typically forms a spherical shape due to surface tension.
What's the distance around a circle called?
It's called the circumference.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
