Description
Return straight separation of cylindrical-coordinate points.
Coordinate distance formulas need compatible lengths and explicit angular units. Straight-line separation, its squared value and travel along a surface are distinct quantities even when they share endpoints.
Return straight separation of cylindrical-coordinate points.
When to use this tool
Use Cylindrical Coordinate Two Point Chord when computing the stated planar or cylindrical coordinate separation.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter firstRadius, firstAngle, firstHeight, secondRadius, secondAngle, secondHeight. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read distance. Use the output convention below.
Return straight separation of cylindrical-coordinate points. Require nonnegative radii; combine radial difference, 2*sqrt(r1)*sqrt(r2)*sin((angle1-angle2)/2), and height difference with hypot.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| firstRadius | First Radius | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| firstAngle | First Angle | Required. Finite number. |
| firstHeight | First Height | Required. Finite number. |
| secondRadius | Second Radius | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| secondAngle | Second Angle | Required. Finite number. |
| secondHeight | Second Height | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| distance | Distance | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"firstRadius": 3,
"firstAngle": 0,
"firstHeight": 0,
"secondRadius": 3,
"secondAngle": 3.141592653589793,
"secondHeight": 8
},
"output": {
"distance": 10
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Angles are radians and all lengths share units; this is a chord, not surface travel.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use the actual spatial geometry and an appropriate surface or network model when travel distance is the question.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Distance: Coordinate Uncertainty Gap Lower Bound
Return minimum possible gap between two bounded coordinate intervals.
- Geodesic Chord Small Angle Error Term
Return the leading cubic arc-minus-chord error term.