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The Flat Sphere... can *anyone* solve this one?
First, we must consider a hypothetical sphere of unspecified and irrelevant physical attributes. Only a few basic properties matter:
1) It is a physical object.
2) It exists somewhere in the universe.
3) It is solid, or atleast has a solid surface.
4) It is perfectly spherical.
5) Its size is dynamic (explanation below).
So, a completely round solid spherical object... a cue ball from a pool table suffices perfectly for this hypothetical object. Let us also assume that physical forces such as gravity, electromagnetism, inertia, and angular momentum are not at work, or atleast that this object is immune to them and they are irrelevant for our purposes; our cue ball is not going to be collapsing under its own gravity or breaking apart due to shearing forces. Our sphere, for that matter, is not even comprised of atoms or other particles, but is constructed merely from a solid material. While it exists somewhere in our universe, let us consider it to be indestructible.
And, finally, to the crucial element. We can take this sphere and increase or decrease its diameter, and thus its radius, circumference, surface area, volume, etc., at will. Although it really makes no difference, let's assume it begins at the size of a normal cue ball, a few inches in diameter. From here, we can manipulate it and alter its size down to the diameter of a neutrino or smaller, or up to the diameter of the Milky Way or larger. We can make it as large or as small as we possibly want. Now, here is the riddle: As the diameter of a sphere increases, its curvature decreases, and vice versa. So, what size does our object have to be in order for the surface of the sphere to become *completely flat*?
There is, in fact, despite first appearances and protests to the contrary that I have received in the past, a correct answer, and only *one* correct answer, to this riddle. In addition, *all* of the information necessary to arrive at the correct answer has been provided here, so I’m afraid no further help or details can be given. Best of luck!
4 Answers
- Anonymous10 years agoFavorite Answer
this is challengin but im going to have to say *infinite* for the lack of even being able to comprehend how it's possible. I mean, for it to be completely flat, there must be no point where it bends to complete the sphere so it must be infinite, UNLESS of course this is a trick question.???
If it isn't a trick question, Im guessing infinite.
*Edit*
Actually, I just re-thought about this.
Instead of trying to make it incredibly large to lessen the curvature to one (which is impossible) what about the other way, making it incredibly small. If the size of the sphere is that of one atom, wouldn't it be flat, I mean there is only one particle so it cant have depth or curvature or anything, or does this contradict with the rule that it is not made up of atoms? I guess it does.
Damn this is confusing.
*Edit 2*
I think I may have figured this one out!!!!!!
Any size. It is made up of billions of microscopic flat surfaces, like a dodecahedron with a billion more faces. This may be correct but if it isn't I'll stay with my first guess of infinity.
- 10 years ago
I may have missed something but from what i have gathered, there is no way for the sphere to be flat. For two reasons, 1: if the sphere has any diameter at all (even if it is .0000000000000000000001) it will still be circular; because the definition of diameter is a straight line passing from side to side through the center of a body or figure, esp. a circle or sphere. So no matter what the diameter is it will still be a curved sphere. If the diameter was 0 the object would cease to exist. 2: if it was flat it would no longer be a sphere, or 3d at that.
- 10 years ago
THIS IS PROBABLY TOTALLY WRONG, but I know that theorists have to completely abandon logic in order to get somewhere.
So I am completely abandoning logic.
The curvature goes like 1/radius. So the cue ball would have a larger curvature and the Milky Way would have the smaller one.
So... it IS infinite.
Source(s): my BRAIN