Capsule (geometry)

A two-dimensional orthographic projection of a capsule

A capsule (from Latin capsula, "small box or chest"), or stadium of revolution, is a basic three-dimensional geometric shape consisting of a cylinder with hemispherical ends.[1] Another name for this shape is spherocylinder.[2]

The shape is used for containers for pressurised gasses and for pharmaceutical capsules.

Formulas

The volume of a capsule is calculated by the formula V = \pi r^2 \left (\frac{4}{3}r + a \right ) where r is the radius of the cylinder and hemispheres and a is the height of the cylindrical part.

The surface area formula is SA = 2 \pi r (2r + a)..[3]

References

  1. ↑ Weisstein, Eric W., "Capsule", MathWorld.
  2. ↑ Dzubiella, Joachim; Matthias Schmidt; Hartmut Löwen (2000). "Topological defects in nematic droplets of hard spherocylinders". Physical Review E 62: 5081. doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.62.5081.
  3. ↑ "Capsule Calculator". Calculatorsoup.com. Retrieved 2013-02-18.


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