Spherical coordinates length from differential length

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of spherical coordinates and the differential length dl to find the length of a curve with specific parameters. It also mentions the expression for dl in terms of the curve and unit vectors.
  • #1
user3
59
0
is it logical to ask this question in Spherical coordinates:

Using the differential length dl , find the length where r=1 0<Θ<∏/4 ∏/2< θ <∏/4 where Θ is the azimuthal angle.

What I mean by ∏/2< θ <∏/4 is that the line is a "diagonal" line which has an ascention of ∏/4 from the xy plane. I don't know how else to write it.

Is the differential length dl = sqrt( (rdΘ)^2 + (dθ)^2 ) ?
 
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  • #2
Suspect not - but I'm not sure what you are asking.

if ##\vec r(t)=(r(t), \theta(t),\phi(t))^t## parameterzes a curve in spherical-polar coordinates, and ##dl## is the length element along that curve in the direction of increasing parameter ##t##, then ##dl## can be expressed in terms of the curve ##\vec r(t)## and the spherical-polar unit vectors.

See:
http://home.comcast.net/~szemengtan/ClassicalMechanics/SingleParticle.pdf
section 1.5 onwards.
 
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Related to Spherical coordinates length from differential length

What are spherical coordinates?

Spherical coordinates are a system for locating points in three-dimensional space using three coordinates: radius, inclination, and azimuth. In this system, the radius is the distance from the origin, the inclination is the angle from the positive z-axis, and the azimuth is the angle from the positive x-axis in the xy-plane.

How do spherical coordinates relate to differential length?

Spherical coordinates can be used to calculate the differential length of a curve in three-dimensional space. The differential length is the length of a small segment of the curve and is calculated using the radius, inclination, and azimuth at that point.

How is the length of a curve in spherical coordinates calculated?

The length of a curve in spherical coordinates is calculated using the formula: L = ∫√(dr² + r²dθ² + r²sin²θdφ²), where r is the radius, θ is the inclination, and φ is the azimuth. This integral takes into account the change in all three coordinates along the curve.

What is the significance of calculating length in spherical coordinates?

Calculating length in spherical coordinates allows for a more accurate representation of curves in three-dimensional space, as it takes into account the curvature and changes in all three dimensions. It is also useful in solving problems in physics, engineering, and other fields that involve three-dimensional space.

What are some applications of spherical coordinates and calculating length?

Spherical coordinates and calculating length are used in many fields, such as astronomy, where they are used to locate celestial objects. They are also used in navigation, computer graphics, and 3D modeling. In physics, they are used to calculate distances and trajectories in three-dimensional space.

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