ray
Let an agent explain rays in geometry and related mathematical and physical senses, relay definitions and notation from mathematics sources, describe the named concepts and flag the unclear alias, and distinguish rays from lines, line segments, vectors, light rays in optics and the fish called rays.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain rays in geometry and related mathematical and physical senses, relay definitions and notation from mathematics sources, describe the named concepts and flag the unclear alias, and distinguish rays from lines, line segments, vectors, light rays in optics and the fish called rays.
In geometry, a part of a line that starts at a point, its endpoint or origin, and extends infinitely in one direction, also called a half-line, closed when it includes the endpoint and open when it does not, and oriented by its direction; related uses the registry aliases name include a bound vector, which has a fixed point of application, and in quantum mechanics a ray in Hilbert space, the set of state vectors differing by a scalar factor that represent the same physical state; the alias orbital axis could not be matched to this concept.
What it is for: Not applicable; a mathematical object.
It can be explain definitions; relay notation; describe related senses; distinguish other meanings.
Distinguishing features
One endpoint
Infinite in one direction
Basis of angles
Several technical senses
What it looks like
Drawn as a line starting at a dot with an arrow at the other end.
Physical character
notation: AB with an arrow over it note - ray from A through B
quantum ray: equivalence class of state vectors under nonzero scalars note
angle definition: two rays sharing an endpoint note
How it is recognised
Half-line from an origin
Quantum state vector ray, bound vector, orbital axis, oriented half-line, closed half-line
Lines extend both ways; segments have two endpoints; free vectors lack position; light rays are optics models; rays are also batoid fishes
Related models
is a kind of - in general terms
is part of -
defines - as a pair of rays
is contrasted with -
In practice
Families and kinds
closed and open rays
oriented half-lines
rays in vector spaces
projective rays in quantum mechanics
bound vectors as related objects
Standards and regulation
ISO 80000-2 mathematical notation
Failure modes and hazards
Confusing rays, lines and segments
Confusing mathematical and physical senses
Unclear alias orbital axis
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.ray-2
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What a ray is.
Science.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is a ray, and how does it differ from lines, segments, vectors, light rays and the fish? definition
- Is the question about geometry, linear algebra, quantum mechanics, optics or animals? boundary
Named
Named concepts.
Named
Named.
- What are closed and oriented half-lines, bound vectors and quantum rays, and what might orbital axis refer to? definition
- Which entry fits the specific concept? action
Geometry Geometry.
Science.
Euclidean
Euclidean geometry.
Euclidean
Euclidean.
- How are rays used to define angles and directions? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Vector spaces
Rays in vector spaces.
Vector spaces
Vector spaces.
- How are rays defined in real vector spaces and convex geometry? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Physics Physics.
Application.
Quantum
Quantum states.
Quantum
Quantum.
- Why do physical quantum states correspond to rays in Hilbert space? provenance
- Which entry fits projective Hilbert space? action
Optics
Ray optics.
Optics
Optics.
- How is the ray idea used in geometrical optics and ray tracing? provenance
- Which entry fits ray tracing (graphics)? action
Context Other senses.
Context.
Animals
Batoid fishes.
Animals
Animals.
- What are rays as cartilaginous fishes? provenance
- Which entry fits Batoidea? action
Education
Teaching.
Education
Education.
- How are rays introduced in school geometry? provenance
- Which entry fits line (geometry)? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should the quantum ray be a separate entry?
- How should mathematics sources be linked?
- The registry alias orbital axis does not match this concept and should be reviewed