To calculate the polar unit vectors using rotated coordinates

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    Polar Unit Vectors
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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the derivation of polar unit vectors, specifically \(\hat{\rho}\) and \(\hat{\phi}\), from rotated Cartesian coordinates \((x', y')\) defined by the equations \(x' = \cos\theta \; x + \sin\theta \; y\) and \(y' = -\sin\theta \; x + \cos\theta \; y\). The user seeks clarification on whether these equations can be utilized to derive the polar unit vectors, noting that the derivation process is not straightforward. The discussion emphasizes that the derivation of \(\hat{\rho}\) and \(\hat{\phi}\) is fundamentally different from the transformation of coordinates presented in the initial equations.

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TL;DR
To derive the polar unit vectors $$\boxed{\begin{align*}\hat{\rho}&=\cos\theta \;\hat{i}+\sin\theta \;{\hat j}\\

\hat{\phi}&=-\sin\theta \; \hat i+\cos\theta \; \hat j

\end{align*}}\quad\quad\large{\mathbf{(b)}}$$

using coordinates of a point under rotation : $$\begin{align*}x'&=\cos\theta \;x+\sin\theta \;y\\

y'&=-\sin\theta \; x+\cos\theta \; y

\end{align*}\quad\quad\large{\mathbf{(a)}}$$
1726582830959.png
We know that if cartesian coordinates ##(x,y)## (see figure alongside) are rotated to ##(x',y')## about the origin by an angle ##\theta## counter-clockwise as shown, the rotated coordinates are given by $$\begin{align*}x'&=\cos\theta \;x+\sin\theta \;y\\
y'&=-\sin\theta \; x+\cos\theta \; y
\end{align*}\quad\quad\large{\mathbf{(a)}}$$

##\small{\texttt{Can these (the above) be used to derive the (familiar) unit vectors using polar coordinates}}## :


1726582890040.png
$$\boxed{\begin{align*}\hat{\rho}&=\cos\theta \;\hat{i}+\sin\theta \;{\hat j}\\
\hat{\phi}&=-\sin\theta \; \hat i+\cos\theta \; \hat j
\end{align*}}\quad\quad\large{\mathbf{(b)}}$$ I ask because the equations look similar. However, as I show in my workings below, it is far from straightforward. Their (actual) derivation is quite different and doesn't use the rotated co-ordinates shown in ##\mathbf{(a)}## above.



Discussion : The way to go from ##\text{Fig. (2)}\rightarrow\text{Fig. (1)}## is to let ##\text{A}'\rightarrow\text{P}##. That would make ##y'=0\Rightarrow x\sin\theta=y\cos\theta## from ##\mathbf{(a)}## above. But this doesn't lead me anywhere towards deriving ##\mathbf{(b)}##.?

Can I use the equations of ##\mathbf{(a)}## to write ##x'\hat{i}'=\cos\theta x\hat i+\sin\theta y\hat j?## If so, then dividing throughout by ##x'##, we get : ##\hat{i}'=\frac{x}{x'}\cos\theta\hat i+\frac{y}{x'}\sin\theta \hat j##. This would imply ##\frac{x}{x'}=1=\frac{y}{x'}## which is clearly not true.

Request : A hint as to how to derive ##\mathbf{(b)}## from ##\mathbf{(a)}##.
 
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In Fig.1 choose ##\theta## so that P is on x' axis then x',y' are ##\hat{\rho}##, ##\hat{\phi}##, with renaming ##\theta## with ##\phi##.
 

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