semi-latus rectum

(noun)

The latus rectum is a chord perpendicular to the major axis and passing through the focus. The semi-latus rectum is half the latus rectrum. See distance p in.

Related Terms

  • perihelion
  • eccentricity

Examples of semi-latus rectum in the following topics:

  • Kepler's First Law

    • where $(r, \theta)$ are the polar coordinates (from the focus) for the ellipse, $p$ is the semi-latus rectum, and $\epsilon$ is the eccentricity of the ellipse.
    • The semi-major axis $a$ is the arithmetic mean between $r_{\text{min}}$ and $r_{\text{max}}$:
    • The semi-minor axis $b$ is the geometric mean between $r_{\text{min}}$ and $r_{\text{max}}$:
    • The semi-latus rectum $p$ is the harmonic mean between $r_{\text{min}}$ and $r_{\text{max}}$:
    • Also shown are: semi-major axis $a$, semi-minor axis $b$ and semi-latus rectum $p$; center of ellipse and its two foci marked by large dots.
  • Planetary Motion According to Kepler and Newton

    • The square of the orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of the planet's orbit.
    • where $p$ is the semi-latus rectum, $\Sigma$ is the eccentricity, $r$ is the distance between the planet and the sun, and $\theta$ is the angle between the position of the planet and its most direct route to the Sun.
    • The important components of an ellipse are as follows: semi-major axis $a$, semi-minor axis $b$, semi-latus rectum $p$, the center of the ellipse, and its two foci marked by large dots.
  • Conic Sections in Polar Coordinates

    • where e is the eccentricity and l is half the latus rectum.
  • Elimination

    • The semi-solid waste is moved through the colon by peristaltic movements of the muscle and is stored in the rectum.
    • As the rectum expands in response to storage of fecal matter, it triggers the neural signals required to set up the urge to eliminate.
    • The solid waste is eliminated through the anus using peristaltic movements of the rectum.
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