- #1
madachi
- 29
- 0
Homework Statement
I am confused about spherical coordinates stuff. For example, we can parametrize a sphere of radius 3 by
[itex] x = 3 sin \phi cos \theta [/itex]
[itex] y = 3 sin \phi sin \theta [/itex]
[itex] z = 3cos\phi [/itex]
where [itex] 0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi [/itex] and [itex] 0 \le \phi \le \pi [/itex] .
I don't understand about the range of [itex] \phi [/itex].
1) Why is [itex] 0 \le \phi \le \pi [/itex] ?
2) If we only want the lower hemisphere, why is the range now [itex] \frac{\pi}{2} \le \phi \le \pi [/itex] ?
3) What about the range of [itex] \phi [/itex] if we want the upper hemisphere?
Is there any place where I get to see the diagram so I can get the picture better?
Thanks!