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BAC2 tech · Mathematics
Vectors in space · Metric geometry

Angles between lines and planes in space

A laser beam leaves a satellite and has to hit a receiving panel on Earth at an exact angle, neither more vertical nor more grazing. That angle —the one formed by a straight path and a flat surface— appears in aerials, roofs, solar panels and robotic arms. You will always calculate it using the same idea: compare the direction vector of the line with the normal vector of the plane.

Before you start, make sure you know: Scalar product (1st Bachillerato)
Before you start, make sure you know: Angle between two lines. Parallelism and perpendicularity (1st Bachillerato)

The angle between a line and a plane

Angle alpha between an incident line and its orthogonal projection onto a plane. r' (projection) r α
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An architect is designing the pitched roof of a sports hall. In the design, the main supporting structure follows the direction of the line…

An architect is designing the pitched roof of a sports hall. In the design, the main supporting structure follows the direction of the line $r: \frac{x-1}{2} = \frac{y+2}{1} = \frac{z}{2}$, while the floor of the hall lies on the horizontal plane $\pi: z = 0$. Calculate the angle formed by the support beam with the floor.

z x y π: z = 0 Projection r α P A A'
Solve
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Calculate the angle formed by the line $r$ passing through the points $A(1, 0, 1)$ and $B(2, 1, 2)$ with the plane of general equation $\pi: x + y + 1 = 0$.

Calculate the angle formed by the line $r$ passing through the points $A(1, 0, 1)$ and $B(2, 1, 2)$ with the plane of general equation $\pi: x + y + 1 = 0$.

π: x + y + 1 = 0 α 90°-α r n(1, 1, 0) vᵣ A(1, 0, 1) B(2, 1, 2)
Solve
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Calculate the acute angle formed by the line $r$, which passes through the points $A(1, 0, -2)$ and $B(3, -1, 1)$, with the plane $\pi$ of general equation…

Calculate the acute angle formed by the line $r$, which passes through the points $A(1, 0, -2)$ and $B(3, -1, 1)$, with the plane $\pi$ of general equation $2x + y - 3z + 4 = 0$. Express the result in degrees, minutes and seconds.

π 2x+y-3z+4=0 r A (1, 0, −2) B (3, −1, 1) n (2, 1, −3) α 90°-α P
Solve

Special cases: perpendicular or parallel

Particular positions of a line relative to a plane: parallelism with the direction vector orthogonal to the normal, and perpendicularity with proportional vectors. r ⟂ π r ∥ π
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Determine the value of the parameter $k$ so that the line $r: \frac{x-1}{k} = \frac{y}{2} = \frac{z+1}{-1}$ is perpendicular to the plane $\pi: 2x + 4y - 2z + 7 = 0$.…

Determine the value of the parameter $k$ so that the line $r: \frac{x-1}{k} = \frac{y}{2} = \frac{z+1}{-1}$ is perpendicular to the plane $\pi: 2x + 4y - 2z + 7 = 0$. What angle do they form in this case?

Solve
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Given the line $r \equiv \begin{cases} x = 1 + \lambda \\ y = 2\lambda \\ z = -1 - \lambda \end{cases}$ and the plane $\pi \equiv x + ky + 2z - 1 = 0$, determine the…

Given the line $r \equiv \begin{cases} x = 1 + \lambda \\ y = 2\lambda \\ z = -1 - \lambda \end{cases}$ and the plane $\pi \equiv x + ky + 2z - 1 = 0$, determine the value of the real parameter $k$ given that the angle formed by the line and the plane is $30^\circ$.

Solve

A line as the intersection of two planes

Two intersecting planes that meet along a common line. π₁ π₂ r = π₁ ∩ π₂
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Calculate the sine of the angle formed by the line $r$, defined as the intersection of the planes $\pi_1: x - y = 0$ and $\pi_2: y - z = 0$, with the plane…

Calculate the sine of the angle formed by the line $r$, defined as the intersection of the planes $\pi_1: x - y = 0$ and $\pi_2: y - z = 0$, with the plane $\pi_3: x + y + 2z - 4 = 0$. (Hint: First find the direction vector of the line $r$ using the vector product of the normal vectors of $\pi_1$ and $\pi_2$).

Solve
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Find the angle formed by the line $r$, defined as the intersection of the planes $\pi_1 \equiv x - y = 0$ and $\pi_2 \equiv 2y + z = 1$, with the plane…

Find the angle formed by the line $r$, defined as the intersection of the planes $\pi_1 \equiv x - y = 0$ and $\pi_2 \equiv 2y + z = 1$, with the plane $\alpha \equiv 3x - z = 0$.

Solve

Angle with the coordinate planes and with an axis

Inclination of a line in three-dimensional space relative to the coordinate planes and the Cartesian axes. x y z r β
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A solar panel represented by the plane $\pi \equiv x + y + az + d = 0$ has been installed. It is known that the panel passes through the point $P(1, 2, 1)$ and that, to…

A solar panel represented by the plane $\pi \equiv x + y + az + d = 0$ has been installed. It is known that the panel passes through the point $P(1, 2, 1)$ and that, to maximise its efficiency, it must form an angle of $60^\circ$ with the $OZ$ axis (the vertical axis).

Calculate the possible values of the parameter $a$ (assume $a > 0$).

Solve
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Calculate the angle formed by the line $r \equiv \frac{x}{1} = \frac{y-1}{2} = \frac{z+1}{-1}$ with each of the coordinate planes. Do these three angles add up to…

Calculate the angle formed by the line $r \equiv \frac{x}{1} = \frac{y-1}{2} = \frac{z+1}{-1}$ with each of the coordinate planes. Do these three angles add up to $180^\circ$? Justify your answer using the concepts of direction and normal vectors.

XY plane XZ plane YZ plane nx ny nz v α=? 90°−γ 90°−β r ≡ x/1 = (y-1)/2 = (z+1)/-1 ¿ α + β + γ = 180° ?
Solve

Summary

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