In geometry, a hexagon is a closed two-dimensional six-sided polygon. It is made up of six line segments and six vertices that form six internal angles. The sum of all the internal angles of a hexagon is 720°.
What is a Hexagon Shape?
We may observe different objects that have the shape of a hexagon. A honeycomb, a nut, the white divisions of a volleyball, a stop board in traffic symbols, and the back end of pencils and bolts are all examples of real-life objects that have the shape of a hexagon. These shapes have been illustrated in the figure below to understand in detail.
As mentioned above, regular hexagonal shapes are generally considered while dealing with various problems in geometry. Let us have a look at the basic parameters of this type of hexagon.
Types of hexagons
A hexagon is a plane figure with six straight sides that enclose an area. This simple definition allows for several types of hexagons:
- Regular
- Irregular
- Complex
- Concave
- Convex
Real-Life Examples Of Hexagons
1. Honeycomb
The classic example of hexagons in nature is a honeycomb. There’s a reason why bees favor this structure to build their honeycombs. You may think bees are not intelligent creatures. But think again! Their impeccable work in building honeycombs proves otherwise.
Bees prefer the hexagonal structure because these structures have the least separating wall, meaning bees have to put in less labor, and less beeswax is needed.
Considering the number of honeycombs bees make to store honey and raise their young ones, a hexagonal structure is an appropriate choice.
2. Basalt columns
If you ever get a chance, don’t skip visiting the Devil’s Postpile National Monument in California. The most striking thing you will observe is that there are numerous basalt columns in the shape of hexagons.
How these hexagonal-shaped columns came into existence is worth a read. When lava flows out, it eventually starts to cool and shrink.
The shrinking increases the surface tension, which is released by the formation of cracks at an angle of 120 degrees, which supposedly releases the most tension. Hence, the formation of basalt columns.
3. Snowflakes
A snowflake is yet another example of the hexagonal shape existing in nature. Although snowflakes acquire many forms, the crystalline structure of a snowflake resembling a hexagon with six sides and six-fold symmetry is the most common.
This amazing natural wonder forms when water freezes mid-air before falling to the ground. As it falls toward the ground, the basic hexagonal structure is exposed to moisture and temperature conditions, expanding the symmetrical structure into larger hexagonal crystals.
4. Saturn’s hexagon
One of the most intriguing hexagons of this universe can be found at Saturn’s north pole. The hexagon is a cloud pattern with sides about 9,000 miles long.
It is formed when smaller storms and the larger system interact, resulting in the pinching of the eastern jet stream and confining it near the north pole. This entire process gives rise to a hexagonal appearance.
5. Dragonfly’s eyes
Have you ever noticed a dragonfly’s eyes? These flying insects have two compound eyes comprising nearly 30,000 regular hexagons. The only rule they follow is that at any vertex, only three hexagonal structures meet each other.
While you may not see this hexagonal wonder with the naked eye, it is visible in a macro image of a dragonfly’s eyes.
6. Floor tiles
Floor tiles come in different shapes and designs, and hexagonal tiles are one among them. Tiles with a hexagonal shape look sharp and trendy. These are popularly used as flooring, in the bathroom, or even as kitchen backsplash. Hexagonal tiles may look delicate, but they are, in fact, very durable, perfect for renovating or designing a section of your home.
7. Nut Bolts
Ask your dad to show you his toolbox. You will find a couple of nuts and bolts lying around. Nuts are used for fastening screws and bolts. Hex nuts or hexagonal nuts are predominantly used because they are easy to hold, use, and turn. Because it has six sides, one can turn it one-sixth of the way in a single twist. The shape also allows for easy grip with fingers and a wrench.
8. Pencil base
A pencil also has a hexagonal shape. Take a look at an unsharpened pencil, and you will see the six-sided shape we’re discussing. Pencils are constructed in this geometrical shape because of a few reasons. First, it’s easier to pack a stack of hexagonal pencils together in a box, and second, it allows for a better grip on a pencil while writing.
9. Soccer ball pattern
A soccer ball has not just one but two geometrical shapes in it – pentagons and hexagons. There are twelve black pentagons and twenty white hexagons in one soccer ball! These two shapes together give a soccer ball its unique appearance. Wondering why only these shapes are? The reason is that these two shapes fit together like a puzzle and provide a flawless spherical shape to the ball.
10. Architectural designs
Traditionally, hexagons symbolize harmony and balance. Architects often use hexagons to design beautiful and intricate structures. Some of our favorite hexagonal architectural designs include the New York Supreme Court building, the Berlin-Tegel Airport, and the Museum of Jewish History in Manhattan.
11. Tie Knot
If you look closely at a properly tied knot of a tie, you can easily visualize the hexagonal geometric figure because a tie knot typically consists of six sides, six vertices, and six angles.
12. Stop Signs
The stop signs installed on the roadside are usually constructed in the shape of a regular hexagon or an octagon. These signboards possess a geometric shape that is easy to differentiate from the other signboards. The drivers facing the back of the sign get alert due to the familiar shape of the stop signs. This improves driving quality and safety.
13. Medals & Insignia
Medals are small pieces of metal that consist of markings on both sides. They are given as an award or a token of appreciation. Medals are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes out of which the hexagonal shape is most common.
14. Clock
Some of the clocks are shaped like a hexagon. Also, if you observe the dial of some of the wristwatches you can easily get a picture of the hexagon geometric figure.
15. Clusters
While designing the GSM distribution of a city or a state, the locality is divided in the shape of hexagons. The hexagon shape of the cells helps the engineers locate the best position to place the tower. The adequate placement of the tower is necessary so that the signal gets radiated evenly in all directions. Hence, the hexagon geometric shape finds its application in communication engineering.
16. Cookies
Food industries also make use of hexagon shapes to manufacture several products such as cookies, biscuits, chocolates, etc.
17. Gems and Minerals
The crystals of gems and minerals like algodonite, apatite, aquamarine, benitoite, etc., are hexagonal. Some of the other gems can also be transformed into hexagonal shapes Hence, one can easily observe the hexagonal shape while visiting a jewellery shop.