1. What is Chord Length?

A chord is a straight line connecting two points on a circle's circumference. The chord length depends on the circle's radius and the central angle between the two points.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the chord length formula:

Where:

• \( c \) — Chord length (same units as radius)
• \( r \) — Radius of the circle
• \( \theta \) — Central angle in radians

Explanation: The formula calculates the straight-line distance between two points on a circle based on the radius and the angle between them.

3. Importance of Chord Length Calculation

Details: Chord length calculations are essential in geometry, engineering, architecture, and various design applications where circular segments are involved.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the radius in any units (must be > 0) and the central angle in radians (must be > 0). The result will be in the same units as the radius.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I convert degrees to radians?
A: Multiply degrees by π/180 (approximately 0.0174533). For example, 180° = π radians.

Q2: What's the maximum possible chord length?
A: The maximum chord length is the diameter (2r), which occurs when θ = π radians (180°).

Q3: Can I use this for partial circles (arcs)?
A: Yes, this calculates the straight-line distance between the endpoints of any arc.

Q4: What if my angle is in degrees?
A: First convert to radians (degrees × π/180) before using the calculator.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact, limited only by the precision of your input values.