The Most Perfect Sphere, Ranked

Choose the sphere you think is the most perfect!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:28
Determining the most flawless sphere amongst a collection can be a challenge filled with subjective opinions and varying criteria. To assist in making this decision more democratic and reflective of a collective judgment, this site permits visitors to vote on what they consider the most ideal sphere. Each vote contributes to a dynamic leaderboard that adjusts in real-time based on user inputs. By participating, users not only engage with a community of enthusiasts but also influence the outcome directly. This ongoing process ensures that the ranking stays current and representative of the latest preferences. As perspectives converge here, the leaderboard becomes a reliable resource for finding the top-rated spheres as judged by a broad audience.

What Is the Most Perfect Sphere?

  1. 1
    52
    votes
    The IPK is a platinum-iridium cylinder that is considered the most perfect sphere in the world as it was created to be the standard for the kilogram. It is held at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in France.
    The International Prototype of the Kilogram, also known as the IPK or Le Grand K, is a platinum-iridium alloy cylinder that serves as the primary standard for the kilogram unit of mass measurement.
    • Material: Platinum-iridium alloy
    • Shape: Cylindrical
    • Mass: Approximately 1 kilogram
    • Diameter: 39.17 millimeters
    • Height: 39.17 millimeters
  2. 2
    23
    votes
    Tennis ball
    Christian "VisualBeo" Horvat · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Despite not being a perfectly round sphere, tennis balls come close to being a perfect sphere due to their uniformity and consistency in manufacturing.
    The tennis ball is a spherical sports ball used in the game of tennis. It is known for its iconic yellow color and fuzzy exterior. The tennis ball is made of rubber and covered with a felt material. It is used by players to hit over a net and into the opponent's court, with the objective of scoring points.
    • Color: Yellow
    • Material: Rubber with felt covering
    • Size: Approximately 6.7 centimeters (2.63 inches) in diameter
    • Weight: Between 56 grams (1.98 ounces) and 59.4 grams (2.1 ounces)
    • Bounce: A tennis ball will bounce to a height of approximately 53 to 58 inches when dropped from a height of 100 inches
  3. 3
    22
    votes
    Quartz crystal balls are highly polished and shaped to a near-perfect sphere. They are often used in divination and meditation practices.
    The Quartz crystal ball is a flawless and perfectly spherical crystal made of quartz. It is known for its exceptional clarity and brilliant optical properties. This crystal ball is typically used for divination, meditation, and spiritual practices due to its ability to enhance focus and provide insight.
    • Material: Quartz crystal
    • Shape: Perfect sphere
    • Clarity: Flawless
    • Optical properties: Exceptional brilliance
    • Intention: Divination, meditation, and spiritual practices
  4. 4
    19
    votes

    Carbon nanotube

    Sumio Iijima
    Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical molecules that can be rolled up to form a near-perfect sphere. They are used in various fields such as nanotechnology and material science.
    A carbon nanotube is a cylindrical structure composed of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is considered one of the most perfect spheres due to its uniform shape and smooth surface. The nanotube demonstrates exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties and has various applications in electronics, materials science, and nanotechnology.
    • Length: Varies, can be up to millimeters or even centimeters
    • Diameter: On the nanoscale, typically in the range of a few nanometers
    • Structure: Cylindrical with a hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms
    • Wall thickness: Single-walled or multi-walled, typically a few carbon atoms thick
    • Material composition: Primarily composed of carbon atoms
  5. 5
    16
    votes

    Ping pong ball

    Multiple manufacturers
    Ping pong balls are made of plastic and are highly uniform in shape, making them a near-perfect sphere. They are used in the sport of table tennis.
    A ping pong ball is a small, lightweight spherical object typically used in the sport of table tennis. It is made of celluloid or a similar plastic material, and it has a diameter of 40mm. The surface of the ball is smooth and usually white or orange in color. Ping pong balls are designed to have a consistent bounce and spin when struck. They are known for their excellent roundness and symmetry, providing stability during gameplay. The creator of the ping pong ball is not attributed to a specific individual but rather several manufacturers who have produced them over the years.
    • Material: Celluloid or similar plastic
    • Diameter: 40mm
    • Surface: Smooth
    • Color: White or orange
    • Bounce: Consistent
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    Buckyballs are spherical molecules made up of carbon atoms that form a cage-like structure. They are used in various fields such as nanotechnology and chemistry.
    The Buckyball, also known as a buckminsterfullerene or C60 molecule, is a highly symmetrical and stable carbon molecule that takes the form of a hollow sphere resembling a soccer ball. It is named after the architect and inventor Buckminster Fuller, who popularized the geodesic dome structure resembling the molecular shape. The Buckyball is a fascinating nanomaterial with numerous properties that make it significant in various fields of research and technology.
    • Chemical formula: C60
    • Molecular weight: 720.64 g/mol
    • Structure: Hollow sphere with 60 carbon atoms arranged in a pattern of alternating pentagons and hexagons.
    • Bonding: Covalent bonding between carbon atoms
    • Symmetry group: Ih (icosahedral)
  7. 7
    11
    votes
    Soap bubble
    Moh tch · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Soap bubbles are naturally occurring spheres that are formed when air is trapped inside a thin layer of soap film. They are often used in art and entertainment.
    A soap bubble is a thin layer of soap film filled with air, creating a spherical shape due to the surface tension of the soap solution. It is a common natural phenomenon that can be enjoyed by blowing air through a soapy liquid solution into a bubble wand or other tools designed for bubble creation.
    • Reflective: Reflects light off its surface
    • Surface tension: Causes the soap film to form a sphere, minimizing surface area
    • Translucent: Allows light to pass through, creating colorful effects
    • Fragile: Easily burst upon contact with any solid object
    • Iridescence: Produces shimmering rainbow-like colors
  8. 8
    14
    votes
    Glass marbles are highly polished and shaped to a near-perfect sphere. They are often used in games and as decorative objects.
    The glass marble is a flawless, highly polished sphere made entirely of glass. It is renowned for its exceptional roundness and smoothness, rendering it one of the most perfect spheres ever created.
    • Material: Glass
    • Shape: Sphere
    • Roundness: Flawless
    • Polish: Highly polished
    • Smoothness: Exceptional
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    Cannonballs are round projectiles used in artillery that are highly uniform in shape. They are made of various materials such as iron, bronze, and stone.
    The 'Cannonball' is a highly acclaimed perfect sphere renowned for its impeccable roundness and precision engineering. It is considered one of the most exceptional examples of a machine-produced sphere. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in its construction set it apart from others in its category.
    • Material: Solid steel
    • Weight: 10 kilograms
    • Diameter: 30 centimeters
    • Tolerance: ±0.01 millimeters
    • Surface Finish: Mirror-like polished
  10. 10
    8
    votes
    Atomic nucleus
    Marekich · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Atomic nucleus

    Ernest Rutherford
    Atomic nuclei are spherical objects that are highly uniform in shape. They are the central component of atoms and are made up of protons and neutrons.
    The atomic nucleus is the central part of an atom, consisting of protons and neutrons tightly bound together. It is a positively charged region with an overall spherical shape.
    • Charge: Positive
    • Shape: Spherical
    • Components: Protons, Neutrons
    • Size: 10^-15 to 10^-14 meters
    • Mass: Nearly all of the atom's mass

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Ranking factors for perfect sphere

  1. Roundness
    This refers to how closely the sphere's shape resembles a mathematically perfect sphere. This can be measured by comparing the difference between its maximum and minimum diameters.
  2. Surface smoothness
    A perfect sphere should have an extremely smooth surface with minimal surface roughness. This can be measured using a surface roughness value, which indicates the variations in height along the sphere's surface.
  3. Sphericity
    Sphericity is a measure of how closely the sphere's dimensions follow the dimensions of an ideal sphere. It is typically calculated as the ratio of the surface area of the sphere to the surface area of a perfectly round sphere with the same volume.
  4. Material uniformity
    A perfect sphere should have consistent material properties throughout its structure. This may include uniform density, color, or opacity.
  5. Optical properties
    Optical properties such as reflection, refraction, and transmission can be used to judge a sphere's perfection, as they can be affected by minute imperfections in the shape and surface of the sphere.
  6. Geometric accuracy
    How accurately the sphere is manufactured or fabricated according to its design specifications and intended shape.
  7. Stability
    A perfect sphere should maintain its shape and properties over time and under different environmental conditions.
  8. Mass distribution
    A perfect sphere should have an even mass distribution throughout its volume. This can affect the sphere's balance, rotational behavior, and other physical properties.
  9. Symmetry
    A perfect sphere should exhibit a high degree of symmetry, which means that any planar cut through the sphere's center would result in two equal halves.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most perfect sphere. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or sphere is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2133 views
  • 181 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each sphere once every 24 hours. The rank of each sphere is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most perfect sphere

Background Information: The Quest for the Perfect Sphere The sphere is a shape that has fascinated humans for centuries. It is a perfect geometric form, with all points on its surface equidistant from its center. This symmetry and simplicity have made it a popular choice for everything from decorative ornaments to scientific instruments. In the world of science, the quest for the perfect sphere has been ongoing for centuries. A perfectly round sphere is a vital component in many scientific experiments, from measuring the density of liquids to determining the mass of particles. The more perfect the sphere, the more accurate the results of these experiments. However, creating a perfect sphere is far from easy. Even the slightest imperfection can throw off the accuracy of the results. In the past, craftsmen would spend months crafting spheres by hand, using everything from chisels to lathes to achieve the desired shape. Today, modern technology has made the process much easier, with computer-controlled machines able to produce spheres with unprecedented precision. Despite these advances, the quest for the perfect sphere continues. Scientists and craftsmen alike are always looking for ways to improve the accuracy and precision of their spheres. The pursuit of perfection is a never-ending journey, but it is one that has yielded countless discoveries and innovations along the way.

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