Coordinate Definition and 868 Threads

  1. J

    Vector calc question - coordinate systems

    Homework Statement How do you derive the divergence in cylindrical coordinates by transforming the expression for divergence in cartestian coordinates? Homework Equations F = F_x i + F_y j + F_z k div F = ∂F_x/∂x + ∂F_y/∂y + ∂F_z/∂z (divergence in Cartesian coordinates) I need to transform...
  2. R

    Center of Krunskl Szekeres coordinate

    Why is the spacetime flat at the center of the krunskal szekeres coordinates?
  3. F

    Coordinate Transformation - velocity?

    If I have a velocity vector V in some coordinate system. Is there anything special that needs to be done to convert V -> V' ? Basically, I have a matrix (N x 3) in north-east-down coordinates. I am trying to convert (a row at a time_ to another matrix (N x 3) to earth-centered-earth-fixed...
  4. L

    Verifying Orthogonal Curvilinear Coordinate System

    For the transformation u_1=2x-y u_2=x+2y u_3=3z verify that the u_i form an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system
  5. A

    4D angular coordinate system and corresponding hypervolume element

    I am looking for a 4D angular coordinate system (radius and three angles) and its corresponding "hypervolume element". 2D: polar coordinates - dA = r dr dtheta 3D: spherical coordinates - dV = r^2 sin(phi) dphi dtheta dr 4D: ?
  6. W

    Change of Coordinate for V.Field in Mfld.

    Hi, again: Just a quick question; I have "notation indigestion", i.e., I have been trying to figure way too many technicalities recently; I would appreciate a quick yes/no: Say X_p is a V.Field defined at p in a C^k manifold; k>0 . Say (U,Phi) and (U',Phi') are...
  7. Ed Aboud

    Coordinate geometry of the circle question

    Homework Statement Fairly straight forward question but I just can't see what's wrong. A circle passes through the point (2,-4) and touches both the x-axis and the y-axis. Find the equations of the two circles which satisfy these conditions. Homework Equations x^2 + y^2 + 2gx + 2fy...
  8. Jonathan Scott

    Extrapolating Schwarzschild exterior coordinate

    As is well known, the relationship between the Schwarzschild radial coordinate (defined by the proper area of a spherical surface) and the proper distance in the radial direction is very different for the exterior and interior solutions. This makes it difficult to visualize what happens if we...
  9. A

    Electric field from potential and coordinate

    Homework Statement I am given V(x,y,z) = 3x^2 + 2y + 5 and I am given s = (5,3,1), so what is the electric field? Homework Equations V= Es The Attempt at a Solution I really have no idea. What I tried: Derivative of V(x,y,z) = 6x+2 so E = 32 N/C? Really I just don't...
  10. R

    Y coordinate of the system's center of mass?

    Homework Statement In Fig. 9-39, three uniform thin rods, each of length L = 28 cm, form an inverted U. The vertical rods each have a mass of 12 g; the horizontal rod has a mass of 31 g. What are (a) the x coordinate and (b) the y coordinate of the system's center of mass? (Give your answer in...
  11. R

    Coordinate Geometry(Right Triangle)

    Homework Statement If y=x+2, y=2x+3 are medians of right angled triangle ABC (angle A=90) through B and C respectively such that |BC|=81 units. Find area of triangle. The Attempt at a Solution I have been trying this since a long time. I am posting my work in the form of 2 images. I hope my...
  12. M

    Curl of a vector in a NON-orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system

    Hi, I have a certain NON-orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system in 3D (in the metric only g_{13}=g_{23}=g_{31}=g_{32}=0) and I want to take the curl (\nabla\times\mathbf{v}) of a vector. Any idea on how to do this? The only information I can find is about taking the curl of a vector in...
  13. D

    Coordinate Transformation (and using line elements)

    This is from Hartle's GR book, in one of the first chapters it talks about diff geom, nothing too advanced, but I am learning on my own. Homework Statement It's part E I have trouble with. Read e. and skip to last para if you want. Consider this coordinate transformation: x=uv ...
  14. C

    X and x' in two coordinate relativistic systems

    let's say we have two coordinate systems ( S-OXYZ and S'-O'X'Y'Z') , S' moving with velocity v away from S . At t=0 O=O'. According to Lorentz' transformations we have : At t=0 x in as a function of x' : x=\frac{x'}{\sqrt{1-\beta^2}}=x'\gamma Now, say I know x(I just found it above) ...
  15. C

    Vector components in Polar Coordinate

    Hi! In a non-uniform circular motion if I have two components of a vector in cartesian coordinates then how to find the tangential and radial components of a vector. For example ; I have Vx and Vy as horizontal and vertical components of a vector V respectively. Vx and Vy can lie in all...
  16. pellman

    Time as coordinate in many-body relativistic mechanics

    In pre-relativistic mechanics a system of N particles would be described by 3N coordinates x_i,y_i,z_i parametrized by time t. Would a relativistic system be properly described by 4N coordinates x_i,y_i,z_i,t_i, with a time variable for each particle? If so, how can we ever speak of the...
  17. D

    Achieving normal derivative in spheroidal coordinate

    Homework Statement Hi PhysicsForums, I am calculating something related to the spheroidal membrane and want to ask you a question. I consider a oblate spheroid (Oblate spheroidal coordinates can also be considered as a limiting case of ellipsoidal coordinates in which the two largest...
  18. D

    Normal derivative in spheroidal coordinate

    Hi PhysicsForums, I am calculating something related to the spheroidal membrane and want to ask you a question. I consider a oblate spheroid (Oblate spheroidal coordinates can also be considered as a limiting case of ellipsoidal coordinates in which the two largest semi-axes are equal in...
  19. A

    Cartesian coordinate space transformation question

    I have a question that I am trying to find proof and/or references for: Suppose we have two sets of points (P1 and P2) in separate N-dimensional Cartesian Spaces S1 and S2. *** Note: if it can be easily extended to the Euclidean Space - even better. We need to find Affine Transformation...
  20. DrGreg

    Removing the Schwarzschild coordinate singularity

    I'm creating this thread to discuss some issues raised by kev in the Understanding maximally extended Schwarzschild solution[/color] thread, to avoid diverting that thread from its original question. As any fule kno, the problem with Schwarzschild coordinates is their coordinate singularity...
  21. C

    How Do You Calculate Point P3 in a Coordinate System with a 90-Degree Angle?

    See the attached image first. Given that I know points P1 and P2, what would the equation be to get point P3, given that the angle is 90 degrees and the distance from P2 to P3 is 1/5 the distance from P1 to P2? Thanks in advance!
  22. G

    Coordinate transformations Spherical to Cartesian

    Hi, I would like to transform a vector from Spherical to cartesian coordinate system. But the question is probably not that straight forward. :( I have a vector say E = E_r~\hat{r}+E_{\theta}~\hat{\theta}+E_{\phi}~\hat{\phi}. But I know only the cartesian coordinate from where it...
  23. K

    Del operator in different coordinate

    Homework Statement I would like to transform the Del operator form rectangular coordinate system to spherical coordinate system. The find the Laplace operator in spherical coordinate. 2. The attempt at a solution 1) In rectangular coordinate system, Del operator is given by \nabla =...
  24. K

    About momentum operator in other coordinate system

    Hi there, does anyone know where can I found a material or note about how to deduce momentum operator in coordinate system other than linear coordinate (especially in spherical coordinate system)? Thanks in advanced.
  25. M

    Coordinate Transformations in GR

    As I try to understand GR, I find coordinate transformations just about everywhere. My question is simply: What is the reason coordinate transformations play such an important role in GR? Thanks.
  26. J

    How are tensors transformed in non-linear coordinate systems?

    Let's say I have a non-linear transformation for (ct,x,y,z) in one coordinate system to (cT,X,Y,Z) of another coordinate system. Despite being nonlinear, I assume I can transform all four-vectors using the same non-linear transformation (correct?), but how in the world do I transform the...
  27. S

    Find the X coordinate with slope of -2

    Homework Statement Function defined as: y = The integral from 0 to x2 of 1 / (1 - Sqrt(t) + t) There exists a point where the slope of the tangeant is = -2. Find the x coordinate at this point. Homework Equations Fundemental Theorem of Calculus The Attempt at a Solution...
  28. stevebd1

    Integrating Gullstrand-Plainleve Coordinates in Kerr Metric

    I'm looking at Gullstrand-plainleve coordinates in Kerr metric. While on the whole, it seems pretty straight forward, I found the integral aspect a little inaccessible. I've had a look at various web pages regarding integrals but to be honest, I don't know where to start with the following. Any...
  29. Jonathan Scott

    Schwarzschild solution radial coordinate and black holes

    When people appear to be getting very confused about the weird nature of black holes, I normally respond with answers based on standard black hole theory, but I sometimes feel I should also call attention to the point that some people now think that the "black hole" solutions to the...
  30. N

    Laplace equation in polar coordinate

    Urr+(1/r)*Ur+(1/r^2)*Uθθ=0 a<r<b, 0<θ<w with the conditions U(r,0)=U1 U(r,w)=U2 U(a,θ)=0 U(b,θ)=f(θ)
  31. K

    How to convert cylindrical coordinate to cartesian coordinate?

    Homework Statement Cylindrical: (5,5,53.2) Cartesian = ?? How bout Cartesian to coordinate? Any websites that shows all the conversions?
  32. S

    Coordinate Systems in Modern Interpretation of Relativity

    Hello, I've really been enjoying reading these forums the last couple of weeks, and finally decided to register to ask a question. This is an earnest question about what the modern interpretation is, and how I and another student of relativity can learn more about the modern understanding...
  33. B

    Coordinate (1,-2), angle of intersection thru origin?

    I'm trying to do a simple electric field due to point charges problem, but I'm stuck on a very simple detail. There are a number of point charges on an xy plane, and one of the point charges is at the cooridinate (1,-2). I need to figure out which angle a line drawn from this point to the...
  34. S

    Graphing Coordinate Systems in R3: Spherical Equations and Inequalities

    Homework Statement Graph the surface in R3 Homework Equations Spherical equation \rho = 2asin(\varphi) The Attempt at a Solution I think its just a sphere with a radius of 2 _______________________________________________ Homework Statement Graph the solid whose given coordinates...
  35. O

    Z coordinate of the center of gravity

    Hey, for this problem i need to find the z coordinate of the center of gravity. I have a cylinder/disk whose height is along the y-axis and radiates about the x and z axis. what is the equation to find z bar. this is just one part of the problem.
  36. R

    Solving for Spherical Coordinate Angles in 3D: Understanding the Formulas

    Hi guys, This is my first time in this forum, thanks for your time. Now, I learn about spherical angles (vektor) in 3 Dimension I still confuse about the formula, such as: Fx = F sinφ cosθ ( in X axis = i) Fy = F sinφ sinθ ( in y-axis = j) Fz = F cosφ ( in z axis = k) I...
  37. K

    Vectors and 3D Coordinate Geometry

    Homework Statement Suppose that II c R3 is a plane, and that P is a point not on II. Assume that Q is a point in II whose distance to P is minimal; in other words, the distance from P to Q is less than or equal to the distance from P to any other point in II. Show that the vector PQ is...
  38. stevebd1

    Time coordinate in the rain frame

    I'm currently looking at Metric for the Rain Frame in 'Exploring Black Holes' by Taylor & Wheeler (page B-13) and while it's straightforward understanding drrain (which basically equals dr), I'm having a problem getting my head around dtrain. The following is a step-by-step approach but for some...
  39. I

    How Do You Solve Challenging Polar Coordinate Problems?

    HELP! I just got this assignment over the email a couple hours ago and it's due in the morning and I have no clue how to do these problems! I've spent a few hours trying to figure this stuff out on my own, but I'm down to these last few and I just can't do it. if you can answer one or more, I...
  40. S

    Find Unit Vector Orthogonal to a & b - Help Needed

    hi! I'm new to the forums, and had a question that was more calculus-related than physics. i saw another post similar to this one, but it was incomplete and i couldn't get the answer with the information on it, any chance someone could help me out? The question is: "Find a unit vector with a...
  41. R

    Vector angle in a standard x-y coordinate system?

    A certain vector has x and y components that are equal in magnitude. Which of the following is a possible angle for this vector in a standard x-y coordinate system? 30° 180° 90° 60° 45° Is this problem too simple or am i missing something? if the x and y components are equal in...
  42. F

    Parabolic coordinate system question

    Homework Statement a 3D solid is bounded by 2 paraboloids. The binding condition in cartesian coordinates is -1+(x2+y2) < 2z < 1-(x2+y2) a) rewrite the binding condition in parabolic coordinates b) using parabolic coordinates and the (already derived) metric tensor, find the volume of...
  43. V

    Convert a cylindrical coordinate vector to cartesian coordinates

    Homework Statement Convert the following cylindrical coordinate vector to a Cartesian vector: \overrightarrow{A}\,=\,\rho\,z\,sin\,\phi\,\hat{\rho}\,+\,3\,\rho\,cos\,\phi\,\hat{\phi}\,+\,\rho\,cos\,\phi\,sin\,\phi\,\hat{z} Homework Equations...
  44. C

    In coordinate geometry does x=o mean the y axis or the yz plane ?

    In coordinate geometry does x=o mean the y-axis or the yz plane!? ? ?
  45. H

    Conversion Between Coordinate Systems

    Hello, I've been stuck on this problem for awhile and I've tried googling up some solutions but I still cannot find an answer to this question. Homework Statement An x-y coordinate system is shown below. A second system, u-v, is also shown. What is the relationship between the u-coordinate...
  46. DrGreg

    Accelerated coordinate systems

    This is in response to the following in another thread: I answer it here to avoid diverting that other thread's course. I'm assuming that Fredrik refers to using the plane of simultaneity of the co-moving inertial observer as a means of assigning coordinates to events in an accelerating...
  47. G

    Question about cylindrical (ie. 3d polar) coordinate system.

    Question Details: Convert the following equation into cylindrical coordinates... x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4 It's obvious that r^2 = x^2+y^2... but that would only simplify the equation to: r^2 + z^2 = 4 ... is there a better way to do this?
  48. A

    Coordinate transformation and choice of a suitable coordinate system.

    Consider the line element: ds^2=-f(x)dt^2+g(x)dx^2 in a coordinate system (t,x) where f(x) and g(x) are two functions to be determined by solving Einstein equation. But I can always make a transformation g(x)dx^2=dy^2 and then calculate everything in the (t,y) coordinate system. My...
  49. A

    Uniform circular motion and coordinate system

    2. In the figure below the particle P is in uniform circular motion. The motion is centered on the origin of an xy coordinate system. (a) At what values of \vartheta is the vertical component r_{y} of the position vector greatest in magnitude? (b) At what values of \vartheta is the...
  50. E

    A question of protein subunit symmetry and normal coordinate analysis

    Hey Im doing vibrational spectroscopy (Raman, nir, vis/uv) of a protein called C-reactive Protein. Its a symmetric molecule regarding the subunits http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-reactive_protein Then i wondered if one can apply normal coordinate analysis (using symmetry and group theory) to...
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