Talk:Prolate spheroid

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[edit] Questions

I have two questions about this article if anyone is watching:

• What is the difference between and an oblate spheroid and a prolate spheroid?
• What does 'polar' mean in this context?

Abtract 23:09, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

This difference between an oblate and prolate spheroids are that oblate spheroids bulge at their equator and prolate spheroids bulge at their poles. Polar refers to the poles, simalar to the North and South pole. Kamope · talk · contributions 15:08, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

For the 2nd question, polar diameter means "the diameter mesured between the poles". Kamope · talk · contributions 15:10, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] American football?

"The prolate spheroid is the shape of the ball in some sports, the most popular of which are Australian Football, Rugby Football and American Football."

For an american football to be a spheroid, to start with it has to be elliptical in shape. The gridiron ball has two disticnt pointed ends and therefore it is not a prolate spheroid. Eno1 14:44, 22 April 2007 (UTC)