Solid vs. Plane Figures

Solid Figures vs. Plane Figures

• Solid figures have three dimensions (length, width, and height), taking up space in three-dimensional space. Examples include cubes, spheres, pyramids, and cones.
• Plane figures are two-dimensional, possessing only length and width. They exist on a flat surface and do not occupy three-dimensional space. Examples include triangles, squares, circles, and rectangles.

Key Differences Summarized

• Dimensionality: Solid figures are three-dimensional; plane figures are two-dimensional.
• Space Occupation: Solid figures occupy space; plane figures do not occupy space. They only define a boundary in two dimensions.
• Representation: Solid figures are represented in three-dimensional models or drawings which can utilize shading like perspective drawings to depict volume. Plane figures are represented using two-dimensional drawings, often on a flat surface like paper.
• Measurement: Solid figures are measured using volume, like cubic units (e.g., cubic centimeters, cubic meters). Plane figures are measured using area, like square units (e.g., square centimeters, square meters).

Properties of Solid Figures

• Faces: Flat surfaces that make up the exterior of a solid figure.
• Edges: Where two faces meet (a line segment).
• Vertices: Where three or more edges meet (a point).

Properties of Plane Figures

• Sides: Straight line segments that form the boundary of the figures.
• Angles: Formed by two intersecting sides at a vertex.
• Diagonals: Segments connecting non-adjacent vertices.

Examples

• Solid Figures: Cube, sphere, pyramid, cone, cylinder, prism
• Plane Figures: Triangle, square, rectangle, circle, pentagon, hexagon