[Basic Math Help]Cylindrical Coordinate Systems??? - Page 2

Zortch

Canada635 Posts

October 05 2012 19:21 GMT

#21

I like your question about how to underatand phi as a vector.
What you need to do is understand how the space (r, phi) with r >=0 and 0=<phi<2pi is a vector space. What are the operations? How do you add vectors here is such a way that it behaves in the way we want it to? Etc...

Edit: this is for polar coords of course. Cylindrical is similar

Aerisky

United States12129 Posts

October 05 2012 19:45 GMT

#22

Wow this looks awesome yet crazy at the same time ._.

Makes me wonder whether entering technical/hard sciences is a good idea after all .__.

Loser777

1931 Posts

October 05 2012 19:48 GMT

#23

Still trying to read through all the posts--Plexa's scribd example is nice in that it presents the unit vector phi's direction as being determined by how the position vector moves as phi grows. It's also nice to see that they express r as a function of rho and z and show why phi is always orthogonal to r.

Now I'm just trying to rationalize how my textbook's transformation of cylindrical position vectors involves rho, but I have to finish a lab for another class first!

Thanks, and I understand that these kinds of blogs are definitely not as interesting to read as girl blogs.

Ssin

United States88 Posts

October 05 2012 20:12 GMT

#24

Not interesting? I know more than a few people here enjoy mathematical discussions. Vector transformations to other coordinates is a useful skill toi have, and having an actual question about it is a nice change of pace.

Makes me wonder whether entering technical/hard sciences is a good idea after all .__.

Well, it depends on your outlook. It is a mentally satisfying experience, and can change how you view things. Especially if you decide to enter graduate school and focus on a specific area of study. The world seems so much smaller and yet so much more complicated.