Shapes in geometry fall into two broad categories: polygons and non-polygons. Polygons are two-dimensional shapes with predefined angles and a finite number of sides, while non-polygons are three-dimensional shapes with curved surfaces and no set angles or side number. Cubes and spheres are two such common 3D shapes we encounter in our everyday lives. Here, we discuss the features of a cube but not a sphere.
What is a Cube?
A cube is a 3D shape with six square faces all at right angles, a long edge length and the same width and length. All the faces meet to form six equal squares. In other words, a cube is a regular polyhedron with six square faces. A cube is also a cuboid (contains six faces), and a hexahedron (contains six side faces).
What is a Sphere?
A sphere is an abstraction of a sphere surface, one of a few three-dimensional bodies with a constant distance from the same point called the center. It is an approximate representation of a curved surface and can be understood as the limit of a sequence of regular polygons such as a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, and so on. The surface of a sphere has no start and end point and no edges or plane-symmetry.
What are the Features of a Cube but Not a Sphere?
Cube has six plane faces: A cube consists of six plane faces merged together to form a perfect cube structure. Every face has three external angles and one internal angle. On the other hand, a sphere has a curved surface without any edges or planes.
Cube has eight vertices: A cube has eight vertices located at the intersections of each of its edges which form a perfect cube structure. On the other hand, a sphere does not have any vertices or edges.
Cube has twelve edges: A cube has twelve edges which join together each of its corners to form the cube shape. On the other hand, a sphere has no edges since its curved surface has no starting and ending points.
Cube has equal length and width: All the edges of a cube are of equal length, forming a perfect cube structure. On the other hand, a sphere has no equal length and width as its curved surface is continuous.
Cube has right angles: All the six faces of the cube are perpendicular to each other, which is due to their equal length and width. On the other hand, a sphere has no right angles as its curved surface has no start and end points.
FAQs
What are the different types of shapes?
There are two broad categories of shapes: polygons and non-polygons. Polygons are two dimensional shapes with predefined angles and a finite number of sides, while non-polygons are three dimensional shapes with curved surfaces and no set angles or side number.
How can you differentiate between a cube and a sphere?
A cube is a 3D shape with six square faces all at right angles, a long edge length and the same width and length. All the faces meet to form six equal squares. A sphere is an abstraction of a sphere surface, one of a few three-dimensional bodies with a constant distance from the same point called the center. It is an approximate representation of a curved surface and can be understood as the limit of a sequence of regular polygons.
What features make a cube unique?
Some features that make a cube unique are its six plane faces, eight vertices, twelve edges, equal length and width, and right angles.
What is a regular polyhedron?
A regular polyhedron is a 3D shape with flat faces, straight edges and equal angles between each face. A cube is an example of a regular polyhedron with six square faces.
How many faces does a cube have?
A cube has six faces.