# 3D parametric vector plot question

• Mathematica
Gold Member
Hi PF!

Given a vector field ##\vec f## in spherical coordinates as a function of a single parameter ##s##, shown here as

$$\vec f(s) = f_r(s) \hat r + f_\theta(s) \hat \theta + f_\phi(s) \hat\phi$$

where here subscripts do not denote partial derivatives, but instead are used to define components of ##f##, does anyone know the easiest way to plot this vector field?

Edit: I would also be happy with a 2-D image too, say the x-z or y-z plane.

Ssnow
Gold Member
Hi, in mathematica there is a command: ParametricPlot3D that you can use in order to plot the vector field with ##s## as parameter, the precise notation is

ParametricPlot3D[{##f_{x},f_{y},f_{z}##},{##s,s_{min},s_{max}##}]

where ## f_{x}(s),f_{y}(s),f_{z}(s) ## are the three components depending by ## s ## in the range ##[s_{min},s_{max}]##.

Details are in this documentation: http://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/ParametricPlot3D.html

Ssnow

joshmccraney
Gold Member
Hi, in mathematica there is a command: ParametricPlot3D that you can use in order to plot the vector field with ##s## as parameter, the precise notation is

ParametricPlot3D[{##f_{x},f_{y},f_{z}##},{##s,s_{min},s_{max}##}]

where ## f_{x}(s),f_{y}(s),f_{z}(s) ## are the three components depending by ## s ## in the range ##[s_{min},s_{max}]##.

Details are in this documentation: http://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/ParametricPlot3D.html

Ssnow
Thanks! No clue how I missed this!