Cartesian to Spherical with a point

[xsever]

Homework Statement

Transform the vector A = x2 - y5 + z3 into spherical coordinates at (x= -2, y= 3, z=1 ).

Homework Equations

http://www.equationsheet.com/eqninfo/Equation-0348.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_coordinate_system

The Attempt at a Solution

I know the transformation matrix and the transformation formulas from Cartesian to Spherical, but how do I incorporate the given point (-2,3,1) ?

Thank you.

 

[LCKurtz]

Homework Statement

Transform the vector A = x2 - y5 + z3 into spherical coordinates at (x= -2, y= 3, z=1 ).

Your question doesn't make any sense. A is an expression or a function of x,y,z, not a vector. What did you really mean to ask?

 

[vela]

Transform the vector A = x2 - y5 + z3 into spherical coordinates at (x= -2, y= 3, z=1 ).

I know the transformation matrix and the transformation formulas from Cartesian to Spherical, but how do I incorporate the given point (-2,3,1)?

I'm guessing that you mean \vec{A}=2\hat{x}-5\hat{y}+3\hat{z} and that the problem is to express this vector in terms of the spherical basis vectors at the point (x,y,z)=(-2,3,1). Does this sound right?

Unlike the basis vectors for Cartesian coordinates, the basis vectors for spherical coordinates are not constant. Their directions depend on what point you're talking about.

 

[xsever]

Transform the vector A = x2 - y5 + z3 into spherical coordinates at (x= -2, y= 3, z=1 ).

I have written the problem exactly as it was written in the book. I modified nothing and this is why I could not solve it and came here.

Any thoughts/questions ?

 

[vela]

I'm sure there is typographical information you're omitting, otherwise as LCKurtz said, the problem doesn't make sense because A would not be a vector. Keep in mind, unlike you, we don't know the context in which this problem is asked. We have no idea what material you're covering in class or in the book unless you tell us. That information could provide a clue as to what the problem is asking.

 

[xsever]

I scanned the question just to confirm that I did not miss anything:

The course is Engineering Electromagnetics and this question is in chapter 1. The chapter covers coordinate systems and transformations.

 

[xsever]

Here is what I was thinking: The point (-2,3,1) should be transformed into spherical form. Then, vector A would be transformed using the matrix. As the matrix contains cos(theta) and cos(phi), those theta and phi values would be used from the transformation of the point.

Does this make any sense?

 

[vela]

Depends on the matrix. What it is used for? I assume it maps something to something else. What are the something and something else?

 

[xsever]

The matrix will take a vector from cartesian to spherical.

Here it is:

 

[vela]

Looks good.

 

[xsever]

By using the method I mentioned, I am not getting the right answer.

The right answer is: A= -R4.276 - (theta)4.299 + (phi)1.1094.

If anyone can get that answer, please let me know of the method used.

Thanks.

 

[vela]

I just tried what you described and got the right answer. Check your work.

 

[xsever]

Could you please upload a scan of your solution. I am trying my method and it's giving me wrong answers.

I got
R=\sqrt{14}
\theta=1.3
\phi=-0.982

Therefore, my matrix looks like this:

[AR ] [.535 -.801 .267 ] [2]
[A\theta] [ .148 -.222 -.963] [-5]
[A\phi] [.831 .555 0 ] [3]

And the answer I am getting from it is wrong.

Thank you,

 

[vela]

Your value for \phi is wrong.

 

[xsever]

In my book, \phi=tan-1 (y/x) = tan-1 (3/-2) = -0.982.

Where is my mistake ?

 

[vela]

Think about where the point is and what \phi represents. Is -0.982 a reasonable answer?

 

[xsever]

I know that \phi(radians) is negative and that would mean it is on the negative side. Doing 2\pi-0.982 will result in the same trigonometric values.

I am sorry but I do not see what you are trying to explain to me.

 

[vela]

Take the values for r, \theta, and \phi you got and calculate the cartesian coordinates. Then your mistake will be apparent.

 

[xsever]

Well, I can see that the signs are opposite, but playing with the sign or even\pi/2 does not do the job.

Wow! I am really not seeing this !

 

[vela]

If the signs are opposite, that's a rotation through what angle?

 

[xsever]

I guess I really needed a break. It's \pi !

Thank you for your help. Much appreciated.