Cartesian coordinates Definition and 91 Threads

  1. Shivi20

    A N-Body inputs from Keplerian Orbits

    Hi, I've trying to figure out how to convert Keplerian orbits into cartesian orbits to use them as input for my code, however I have unsuccessful in doing so, I wrote a python script for the orbit transformation, but when I convert the Cartesian values back to Keplerian orbits some of the...
  2. Trysse

    B Invariant under rotation: Banal, obvious, or noteworthy?

    Given a cartesian coordinate system with a fixed point of origin and three axes, it is a fact, that the coordinates of a point P change, when the coordinate system is rotated around its point of origin. The distance between the origin and point P is of course unaffected by such a rotation. What...
  3. bob012345

    I Helmholtz Equation in Cartesian Coordinates

    So given the Helmholtz equation $$\nabla^2 u(x,y,z) + k^2u(x,y,z)=0$$ we do the separation of variables $$u=u_x(x)u_y(y)u_z(z)= u_xu_yu_z$$ and ##k^2 = k_x^2 + k_y^2 +k_z^2## giving three separate equations; $$\nabla^2_x u_x+ k_x^2 u_x=0$$ $$\nabla^2_y u_y+ k_y^2 u_y=0$$ $$\nabla^2_z u_z+ k_z^2...
  4. Ahmed1029

    I Can I always consider velocities and coordinates to be independent?

    It's a topic that's been giving be a headache for some time. I'm not sure if/why/whether I can always consider velocities and (independent) coordinates to be independent, whether in case of cartesian coordinates and velocities or generalized coordinates and velocities.
  5. brotherbobby

    Line integral of a scalar function about a quadrant

    Problem : We are required to show that ##I = \int_C x^2y\;ds = \frac{1}{3}##. Attempt : Before I begin, let me post an image of the problem situation, on the right. I would like to do this problem in three ways, starting with the simplest way - using (plane) polar coordinates. (1) In (plane)...
  6. M

    B Exploring Holonomic Basis in Cartesian Coordinates

    Are cartesian coordinates the only coordinates with a holonomic basis that's orthonormal everywhere?
  7. L

    A Tensor product in Cartesian coordinates

    I am confused. Why sometimes perturbation ##V'=\alpha xy## we can write as ##V'=\alpha x \otimes y##. I am confused because ##\otimes## is a tensor product and ##x## and ##y## are not matrices in coordinate representation. Can someone explain this?
  8. Athenian

    I Transforming Cartesian Coordinates in terms of Spherical Harmonics

    As the subject title states, I am wondering how would one go about transforming Cartesian coordinates in terms of spherical harmonics. To my understanding, cartesian coordinates can be transformed into spherical coordinates as shown below. $$x=\rho \sin \phi \cos \theta$$ $$y= \rho \sin \phi...
  9. K

    Calculating crossproduct integral, Parametrization

    i) I approximate the solenoid as a cylinder with height L and radius R. I am not sure how I am supposed to place the solenoid in the coordinate system but I think it must be like this, right? The surface occupied by the cylinder can be described by all vectors ##\vec x =(x,y,z)## so that...
  10. K

    I Locally Cartesian Coordinates on the Sphere

    I was trying to construct locally Euclidean metrics. Consider the sphere with the usual coordinate system induced from spherical coordinates in ##\mathbb R^3##. Consider a point ##p## in the Equator having coordinates ##(\theta_0, \phi_0) = (\pi/2, 0)##. If you make the coordinate change ##\xi^1...
  11. M

    Convert cylindrical coordinate displacement to Cartesian

    Summary: I can't figure out how the solver carries out the conversions from cartesian to cylindrical coordinates and vice-versa. I have a set of points of a finite element mesh which when inputted into a solver (ansys) gives the displacement of each node. I can get the displacement values of...
  12. colemc20

    Hollow Sphere Inertia in Cartesian Coordinates

    Problem Statement: How do you calculate the rotational inertia of a hollow sphere in cartesian (x,y) coordinates? Relevant Equations: I=Mr^2 My physics teacher said its his goal to figure this out before he dies. He has personally solved all objects inertias in cartesian coordinates but can't...
  13. Z

    I Derivation of Divergence in Cartesian Coordinates

    In section 1-5 of the third edition of Foundations of Electromagnetic Theory by Reitz, Milford and Christy, the authors give a coordinate-system-independent definition of the divergence of a vector field: $$\nabla\cdot\mathbf{F} = \lim_{V\rightarrow 0}\frac{1}{V}\int_S\mathbf{F\cdot n}da$$...
  14. cromata

    I Integration over a part of a spherical shell in Cartesian coordinates

    I am modeling some dynamical system and I came across integral that I don't know how to solve. I need to integrate vector function f=-xj+yi (i and j are unit vectors of Cartesian coordinate system). I need to integrate this function over a part of spherical shell of radius R. This part is...
  15. Aleoa

    I From Geographical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates

    I have 2 points expressed in (latitude,longitude) and I want to calculate the angle with respect to the north pole. Since the two points are very near (like hundred of meters), is it possible to consider the two points in the carthesian system simply as: x=longitude y=latitude Then...
  16. E

    A Vec norm in polar coordinates differs from norm in Cartesian coordinates

    I am really confused about coordinate transformations right now, specifically, from cartesian to polar coordinates. A vector in cartesian coordinates is given by ##x=x^i \partial_i## with ##\partial_x, \partial_y \in T_p \mathcal{M}## of some manifold ##\mathcal{M}## and and ##x^i## being some...
  17. NatFex

    I Rotation of a point in R3 about the y-axis

    Hello, I'm having a visualisation problem. I have a point in R3 that I want to rotate about the ##y##-axis anticlockwise (assuming a right-handed cartesian coordinate system.) I know that the change to the point's ##x## and ##z## coordinates can be described as follows: $$z =...
  18. lc99

    Is there a trick to finding these 3D vectors in Cartesian coordinates?

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am having a bit of trouble visualizing the vectors for these type of problems. The angles they give are very ambiguous and so I am not sure why they are there. For the 45 degree angle, how do i know that this is used for finding...
  19. akkex

    MHB Change from cartesian coordinates to cylindrical and spherical

    Hello, I have 6 equations in Cartesian coordinates a) change to cylindrical coordinates b) change to spherical coordinate This book show me the answers but i don't find it If anyone can help me i will appreciate so much! Thanks for your time1) z = 2...
  20. L

    A Relation between Vector Norms in Cylindrical and Cartesian Coordinates

    Relations between vectors in cylindrical and Cartesian coordinate systems are given by \vec{e}_{\rho}=\cos \varphi \vec{e}_x+\sin \varphi \vec{e}_y \vec{e}_{\varphi}=-\sin \varphi \vec{e}_x+\cos \varphi \vec{e}_y \vec{e}_z=\vec{e}_z We can write this in form \begin{bmatrix}...
  21. F

    Conversion vectors in cylindrical to cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement It's just an example in the textbook. A vector in cylindrical coordinates. A=arAr+aΦAΦ+azAz to be expressed in cartesian coordinates. Start with the Ax component: Ax=A⋅ax=Arar⋅ax+AΦaΦ⋅ax ar⋅ax=cosΦ aΦ⋅ax=-sinΦ Ax=ArcosΦ - AΦsinΦ Looking at a figure of the unit vectors I...
  22. The black vegetable

    Cartesian Coordinates and Cross Product of Vectors for Magnetic Field Direction?

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution the answer given is the same but without the negative sign, I don't understand because the crossproduct of unit vectors when using a Cartesian coordinates of the directions given by the right-hand rule? Is the positive z...
  23. davidge

    I Riemann tensor in 3d Cartesian coordinates

    Suppose we wish to use Cartesian coordinates for points on the surface of a sphere. Then all derivatives of the metric would vanish and so the Riemann curvature tensor would vanish. But it would give us a wrong result, namely that the space is not curved. So it means that if we want to get...
  24. J

    MHB Polar Equation to Cartesian Coordinates

    I am trying to convert this polar equation to Cartesian coordinates. r = 8 cos theta I type the equation into wolfram alpha and it gives me a graph, but no Cartesian points. If somebody could help me find the cartesian points, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
  25. U

    I Spherical coordinates via a rotation matrix

    First, I'd like to say I apologize if my formatting is off! I am trying to figure out how to do all of this on here, so please bear with me! So I was watching this video on spherical coordinates via a rotation matrix: and in the end, he gets: x = \rho * sin(\theta) * sin(\phi) y = \rho*...
  26. JulienB

    Angular momentum in cartesian coordinates (Lagrangian)

    Homework Statement Hi everybody! I would like to discuss with you a problem that I am wondering if I understand it correctly: Find expressions for the cartesian components and for the magnitude of the angular momentum of a particle in cylindrical coordinates ##(r,\varphi,z)##. Homework...
  27. W

    MHB Which Z Value Should Be Used for Camera Motion?

    Hi all, i am having a problem with question 3, as its not clear if i should use the Z value for the camera as 15 or 25 m or... Could you suggest me. Cheers The goal of this project is to obtain some understanding of the camera’s motion in space. Also, based on the camera’s motion, we will...
  28. R

    A Radially distributed Cartesian coordinates

    Ok, so randomizing three random variables, X, Y and Z, each from a standard normal distribution, then plotting these in an ordinary cartesian coordinate system gets me a spherically symmetric cloud of points. Now I want to create this cloud having the same probability distribution but by using...
  29. Cosmology2015

    A Riemannian Manifolds: Local Cartesian Coordinates Explained

    Hello! Good morning to all forum members! I am studying general relativity through the wonderful book: "General Relativity: An Introduction for Physicists" by M.P. Hobson (Cambridge University Press) (2006). My question is about Riemannian manifolds and local cartesian coordinates (Chapter 02 -...
  30. nmsurobert

    Plane wave in cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement Provide an expression in Cartesian coordinates for a plane wave of amplitude 1 [V/m] and wavelength 700 nm propagating in u = cosθx + sinθy direction, where x and y are unit vectors along the x and y-axis and θ is the measured angle from the x axis. Homework Equations...
  31. C

    I Cartesian Coordinates Interpretation in GR?

    What is the physical interpretation of Cartesian coordinates in GR? Say, e.g., a system centered at the center of a spherical mass. What are x,y, and z physically, i.e., how are they measured?
  32. F

    Find a normal vector to a unit sphere using cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement Consider a unit sphere centered at the origin. In terms of the Cartesian unit vectors i, j and k, find the unit normal vector on the surface Homework Equations A dot B = AB cos(theta) A cross B = AB (normal vector) sin(theta) Unit sphere radius = 1 The Attempt at a...
  33. gfd43tg

    Particle in a box in cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution a) The schrödinger equation $$i \hbar \frac {\partial \Psi}{\partial t} = - \frac {\hbar^{2}}{2m} \nabla^{2} \psi + V \psi $$ For the case ##0 \le x,y,z \le a##, ##V = 0## $$i \hbar \frac {\partial \Psi}{\partial t} = - \frac...
  34. S

    Finding Beltrami field in Cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement Working in Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z) and given that the function g is independent of x, find the functions f and g such that: v=coszi+f(x,y,z)j+g(y,z)k is a Beltrami field. Homework Equations From wolfram alpha a Beltrami field is defined as v x (curl v)=0 The Attempt...
  35. 2

    Cartesian coordinates to Polar coordinates (dx,dy question)

    The usual change of variables in this case (mentioned in the title of this topic) is this: ##x = rcos(t)## ##y = rsin(t)## When I rewrite (say my integral) in polar coordinates I have to change ##dxdy## to ##rdrdt## My question is why can't I just compute dx and dy the usual way (the already...
  36. A

    Transforming Spherical Angles to Cartesian Coordinates for Beam Dynamics

    Hello I have this problem - From a generator, I get a compton scattering with the electrons theta and phi angles. where I having the following equations for a particle px = E_particle * sin (theta) * cos (phi); py = E_particle * sin (theta) * sin (phi); pz = E_particle * cos (theta)...
  37. S

    Convert this integral from cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates

    Homework Statement The problem and its solution are attached as TheProblemAndTheSolution.jpg. If you don't want to view the attached image, the cartesian-coordinate version that the problem wants me to convert to a polar-coordinate version is the following (let "int" = "integral").: int int (1...
  38. Ascendant78

    Mechanics in cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement A cannon shoots a ball at an angle θ above the horizontal ground. (a) Neglecting air resistance, use Newton's second law to find the ball's position as a function of time. (Use axes with x measured horizontally and y vertically.) (b) Let r(t) denote the ball's distance...
  39. A

    Calculating elliptic orbits in Cartesian coordinates

    I have a function to plot the orbits of planets based on their orbital elements (Semi-major Axis, Eccentricity, Argument of periapsis, Inclination, and longitude of ascending node). I have the x and y coordinates working great using only the semi-major axis, eccentricity, and argument of...
  40. S

    How to translate from polar to cartesian coordinates:

    How to translate r = 2 /(2 - cos(theta)) to cartesian coordinates: so far: r = 2 /(2 - cos(theta)) r = 2 /(2 - cos(theta)) |* (2 - cos(theta)) both sides r (2 - cos(theta))= 2 2*r - rcos(theta) = 2 | know x = rcos(theta) 2*r - x...
  41. baby_1

    Convert Cartesian coordinates to spherical shape

    Hello how can Convert Cartesian coordinates to spherical with shape? for clear my question i explain a way to convert my coordinates in different spherical. for example i use this diagram to convert Cartesian coordinates to Cylindrical(with image to axises) for example: now how can i do...
  42. C

    Electrodynamics: Electrostatic field potencial in Cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement It's given that absolute permitivity is a coordinate function: ε (x, y, z) = Asin(x)cos(y), where A=const Homework Equations We need to find an electrostatic field potential function \varphi in Cartesian coordinate system. The Attempt at a Solution I tired to solve, but...
  43. N

    Going from cylindrical to cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement Hi The expression for the magnetic field from an infinite wire is \boldsymbol B(r) = \frac{\mu_0I}{2\pi}\frac{1}{r} \hat\phi which points along \phi. I am trying to convert this into cartesian coordinates, and what I get is \boldsymbol B(x, y) =...
  44. T

    Converting Polar to Cartesian Coordinates

    I was given the problem r=2sin(2(θ)). I'm supposed to write the equation in the Cartesian Coordinates. I understand the basics to this but I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to write the equation when I have x=2sin(2(θ))cos(θ) and y=2sin(2θ)sin(θ).
  45. F

    Kinematics Vectors and cartesian coordinates. Plane with wind blowing.

    Homework Statement An airplane flies at an air speed of 300 miles per hour, in the direction toward southwest. There is a head wind of 75 mi/hr in the direction toward due east. (A) Determine the ground speed. (B) Determine the direction of motion of the plane, expressed as an angle...
  46. B

    Triple Integral Cartesian Coordinates

    Ok I have a quick question. I have this problem that is doable with polar coordinates and triple integrals but I was wondering if it would be possible to do this problem in the cartesian coordinate system (odd question I know...). Homework Statement A sprinkler distributes water in a circular...
  47. B

    Converting polar to cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Do you see that 2 between A and the integral? There's no 2 in the above equation. I don't see where that 2 came from. Everything else is fine.
  48. J

    Magnetic Field Equation in Spherical Coordinates to Cartesian Coordinates

    Homework Statement The magnetic field around a long, straight wire carrying a steady current I is given in spherical coordinates by the expression \vec{B} = \frac{\mu_{o} I }{2∏ R} \hat{\phi} , where \mu_{o} is a constant and R is the perpendicular distance from the wire to...
  49. Q

    Triple integral and cartesian coordinates

    we all know that triple integral can be solved by either cartesian coordinates , spherical ,or cylindrical coordinates i just need like some advice in knowing when the variable used is constant and when it is not for example : r in cylindrical coordinates can it be constant or not?? because i...
  50. E

    Converting Position Vector vs Time to Cartesian Coordinates

    1. The position vector of a particle at time t ≥ 0 is given by r = sin(t)*i + cos(2t)*j. Find the cartesian equation for the path of the particle. 2. I was told that the answer is: y = 1 - 2x^2 But I don't know how to obtain that solution. 3. r = sin(t)*i + cos(2t)*j At first I...
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