Aberration of Light: Understanding Transformation Equations for Coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation equations for coordinates in the context of light aberration. Participants are examining the mathematical expressions involved in these transformations and the reasoning behind specific terms in the equations.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the inclusion of a minus R term in the transformation for y', questioning its necessity compared to the transformation for x'. There is also a focus on clarifying notation and the implications of the transformations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the reasoning behind the transformation equations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the significance of the R term in relation to the coordinate system being used, but no consensus has been reached on the overall interpretation of the transformations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific coordinate transformations and are addressing potential typographical errors in the notation used. There is an emphasis on understanding the setup of the problem and the assumptions related to the coordinate system.

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Homework Statement




http://s22.postimg.org/5vp0p2aox/Untitled.png

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Here is the solution

I understand everything that must be done after one find the correct transformations for the two coordinates, but I don't understand why the transformation for y' has a minus R at the end. I would think y' = the first two terms x¬0cos + y¬0sin
 
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What is ¬?

The last term comes from the squaring of [highlight]+[/highlight] y0sin(wt) [highlight]-[/highlight] R
 
Sorry, the" ¬" of "y¬0" was not suppose to be there. I was typing my post on word and copied and pasted it to the forum. I meant I thought that y' = xocos(wt) + yosin(wt). Why is there a minus R term for y' and not for x'. I understand if it had the R term and we squared y' and x' and add them up and take the square root we would get the numerator shown in the final answer. But I didn't understand why y' had the minus R term in the begging.
 
Ah, that R.
At the considered point in time, you are at (0,R), so you have to subtract this R to get to the origin again.
 

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