Calculate velocity components x,y and z

[Redweasel]

Hello,

I want to calculate the velocity components x, y and z based on a velocity value and two angles (yaw along the z-axis and pitch).

I know how to calculate the x and y components in an 2D-environment:
initial velocity x = initial velocity * cos(theta)
initial velocity y = initial velocity * sin(theta)

But I can't figure out to apply this to an 3D-environment. Can anybody give me some good resources for learning this concept or provide some examples?

Many thanks in advance!

Redweasel
P.S.: Sorry for my bad english

 

[rcgldr]

I want to calculate the velocity components x, y and z based on a velocity value and two angles (yaw along the z-axis and pitch).

If the yaw is relative to z axis, then which axis is pitch relative to? This sound similar to spherical coordinates, with r equal to the magnitude of velocity. Note that there are conflicting usages of the symbols used to represent the angles. Link to mathworld article:

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SphericalCoordinates.html

 

[Redweasel]

The pitch should be related to the x axis.

The purpose for this is java programming. I want to create a little program where you enter the initial velocity, yaw and pitch and then throw a ball. It then displays the time when it hits the floor (time = zInitialVelocity / g * 2) and the x and y coordinates. Is there a way without the spherical coordinate system?

 

[rcgldr]

The pitch should be related to the x axis.

Related to the x-axis in which direction, towards the y-axis or towards the z axis? You didn's specify the relationship bettween x, y, z axis and the directions left-right, forward-back, up-down. If z-axis is vertical, then pitch could be the angle from horizontal (the x-y plane) (which could be restated as π/2 - angle from z-axis), and yaw would be the angle from x or y-axis along the x-y plane.

I want to create a little program where you enter the initial velocity, yaw and pitch and then throw a ball. It then displays the time when it hits the floor (time = zInitialVelocity / g * 2) and the x and y coordinates. Is there a way without the spherical coordinate system?

A velocity, yaw, and pitch implies a spherical like coordinate (magnitude and two angles). You can always translate the initial condition into components of velocity v_x, v_y, v_z. Acceleration can also be split up into a_x, a_y, a_z components and position would be x, y, z.

 

[Redweasel]

I guess I have to learn this spherical coordinate stuff then. Looks quite confusing, but I think I'll find a way. Thanks for your answer