Rotation Matrix in 3D: Correcting Errors in 3D Coordinate System Rotation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the rotation of a point in a 3D coordinate system along the y-axis using a rotation matrix. The original poster, Niles, is attempting to rotate the point (1, 0, 1) by -45 degrees and is questioning the outcome of the rotation based on their calculations and the right-hand rule.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are examining the application of the rotation matrix and questioning the correctness of the resulting coordinates after rotation. There are discussions about the interpretation of the rotation direction and the setup of the rotation matrix.

Discussion Status

Multiple interpretations of the rotation results are being explored, with some participants suggesting different outcomes based on their calculations. There is a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the correct final coordinates after the rotation.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of potential errors in the application of the rotation matrix, as well as confusion regarding whether the calculation is performed on a column or row vector. The right-hand rule is referenced as a guiding principle for the rotation direction.

Niles
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Homework Statement


Hi

I have a coordinate system as attached, and I want to rotate it along the y-axis in the clockwise direction as shown. For this purpose I use
<br /> R = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}<br /> {\cos \theta } &amp; 0 &amp; {\sin \theta } \\<br /> 0 &amp; 1 &amp; 0 \\<br /> { - \sin \theta } &amp; 0 &amp; {\cos \theta } \\<br /> <br /> \end{array} } \right)<br />
where θ<0 since I rotate CW. Say I now look at the point (x, y, z) = (1, 0, 1). This I want to rotate by θ=-45 degrees, which then becomes in the new system (x', y', z') = (0, 0, 1/√2). But that is wrong, according to my figure (which satisfies the right-hand rule) it should give (x', y', z') = (1/√2, 0, 0).

I thought I had followed the convention with the right-hand rule, but I must have made an error somewhere. I can't figure out where it is though, it seems consistent. I would be happy to get some feedback.Niles.
 

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Hello Niles

I don't know how you got (0, 0, 1/√2).

I multiplied your rotation matrix with (1,0,1) & got the right answer, which is (√2, 0, 0)

cos(-45) = 0.707
sin(-45) = -0.707
 
prash_neo said:
Hello Niles

I don't know how you got (0, 0, 1/√2).

I multiplied your rotation matrix with (1,0,1) & got the right answer, which is (√2, 0, 0)

cos(-45) = 0.707
sin(-45) = -0.707

Hi, and thanks

I think you must have made an error, it does give (0, 0, 1/√2). I just tried it out in Mathematica.
 
Hello Niles,

I think it should give (0,0,√2)

The point (1,0,1) lies on XZ plane. So its distance from origin is √ (1 + 1) = √2
As per the image you have attached.
It makings an angle of 45° CCW with Z-axis.
Now you are rotating the point CW 45°.
i.e you are moving the point about Y-axis, towards Z-axis.
So with distance from origin (or Y-axis) remaining constant, the point should now lie on Z-axis.
So the final point is (0,0,√2)
 
Niles said:

Homework Statement


Hi

I have a coordinate system as attached, and I want to rotate it along the y-axis in the clockwise direction as shown. For this purpose I use
<br /> R = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}<br /> {\cos \theta } &amp; 0 &amp; {\sin \theta } \\<br /> 0 &amp; 1 &amp; 0 \\<br /> { - \sin \theta } &amp; 0 &amp; {\cos \theta } \\<br /> <br /> \end{array} } \right)<br />
IF you are doing the calculation as "Av" so that v is a column vector, then it should be
R= \begin{pmatrix}cos(\theta) &amp; 0 &amp; -sin(\theta) \\ 0 &amp; 1 &amp; 0 \\ sin(\theta) &amp; 0 &amp; cos(\theta)\end{pmatrix}

If you do the calculation as vA, with v a row vector, then what you give would be correct.

where θ<0 since I rotate CW. Say I now look at the point (x, y, z) = (1, 0, 1). This I want to rotate by θ=-45 degrees, which then becomes in the new system (x', y', z') = (0, 0, 1/√2). But that is wrong, according to my figure (which satisfies the right-hand rule) it should give (x', y', z') = (1/√2, 0, 0).

I thought I had followed the convention with the right-hand rule, but I must have made an error somewhere. I can't figure out where it is though, it seems consistent. I would be happy to get some feedback.Niles.
 
prash_neo said:
Hello Niles,

I think it should give (0,0,√2)

The point (1,0,1) lies on XZ plane. So its distance from origin is √ (1 + 1) = √2
As per the image you have attached.
It makings an angle of 45° CCW with Z-axis.
Now you are rotating the point CW 45°.
i.e you are moving the point about Y-axis, towards Z-axis.
So with distance from origin (or Y-axis) remaining constant, the point should now lie on Z-axis.
So the final point is (0,0,√2)

I'm rotating the coordinate system, not the point as such. So it should give (√2,0,0) -- and it does when I follow HallsOfIvy's approach.

Thanks to both of you.
 

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