What are spherical coordinates?

Spherical coordinates provide a way of defining a point in three-dimensional space through three specific parameters: the radial distance from a reference point (commonly the origin), the polar angle (which measures the angle from a vertical axis, often referred to as the zenith), and the azimuthal angle (which measures the angle from a reference direction in the horizontal plane). This system is particularly useful in scenarios where traditional Cartesian coordinates may be less intuitive, such as in problems involving spherical symmetry.

The other provided options do not accurately represent spherical coordinates. The second option mentions a system of measuring elevation and depth, which pertains more to vertical measurement rather than the three-dimensional point specifications of spherical coordinates. The third choice suggests a grid-based method, which aligns more closely with planar (Cartesian) coordinate systems, rather than the three parameters of spherical coordinates. Lastly, the mention of a two-dimensional coordinate system in the fourth choice significantly misrepresents spherical coordinates, which inherently operate in three dimensions. Thus, the definition accurately captures the essence of spherical coordinate systems and their application in geospatial contexts.