What is the shape of the curve drawn with a compass when the distance ...
A compass is used to draw a circle when the distance between the fixed point (center) and the pencil remains constant. This fixed distance is the radius of the circle.
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What is the shape of the curve drawn with a compass when the distance ...
Understanding the Compass Curve
When using a compass, the mechanism involves a fixed distance between the point (the pivot) and the pencil (the drawing end). This setup is fundamental to understanding the shape of the curve produced.
What is a Compass?
- A compass consists of two arms: one with a sharp point and the other with a pencil.
- The sharp point remains stationary while the pencil moves in a circular motion.
Fixed Distance Mechanics
- The distance between the point and the pencil is constant.
- This defines the radius of the curve being drawn.
Resulting Shape: The Circle
- As the pencil moves around the fixed point, it traces a path that is equidistant from the center (the point).
- This path is defined as a circle, where all points are the same distance from the center.
Why Other Shapes are Incorrect
- Line: A line requires infinite length without a fixed distance, which contradicts the compass mechanism.
- Square: A square involves corners and unequal distances, which a compass cannot produce with a fixed radius.
- Triangle: Like a square, a triangle has varying distances between its vertices and does not maintain a constant distance from a single point.
Conclusion
The shape produced when drawing with a compass, where the distance between the point and the pencil remains fixed, is unequivocally a circle. The compass is specifically designed for this purpose, making option 'B' the correct choice.