Transform Vector: Real Life Examples

In summary, transforming a vector from one basis to another may be necessary in real-life situations such as analyzing forces on an inclined plane or understanding the motion of objects undergoing transformations. The term "normal" base refers to a set of axes fixed relative to an object's own geometry. In complex problems, different sub-aspects may be best expressed in different coordinate bases, and it is important to be familiar with general laws of coordinate transformation to synthesize these sub-aspects into a common basis for calculations. It is essential to understand the implications and relationships between different base choices in order to have a deeper understanding of mathematics and physics.
  • #1
matqkks
285
5
Why would we want to transform a vector in our normal basis (xyz axes) to another basis? The only situation I can recall is when we are looking at a force applied on an inclined plane. Are there any other real life examples where this may be necessary?
 
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  • #2
Why is what you call (xyz) our "normal" base?
For a box or any other object undergoing transformations, rotations and oscillations, perhaps the "normal" base is a set of axis fixed relative to its own geometry, rather than the base set up by an outside obersver?

And, for complex, "real-life" problems, you might encounter that som sub-aspect of the problem is most naturally expressed in one coordinate base, another sub-aspect most easily in another coordinate base.
Thus, the RATIONAL procedure is to develop a flexibility of the mind, and first formulate the sub-aspects in their most natural expressions, and THEN synthesize this into a common basis for calculations, utilizing general laws of coordinate transformation. therefore, you should learn about, and be adept at, those general laws as well.

By the way, if you aren't interested in deepening your understanding of the implications of the essential arbitrariness of a particular choice of base, and thus be motivated in how EVERY legitimate base choice are related to each other through laws of transformation, you really shouldn't bother study either maths or physics.

In short, you display the wrong attitude.
 
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What is a vector transformation?

A vector transformation is a mathematical operation that changes the position, orientation, or scale of an object represented by a vector. This is commonly used in computer graphics, physics, and other fields to manipulate objects in a virtual space.

What are some real-life examples of vector transformations?

Real-life examples of vector transformations include scaling an image on a computer screen, rotating a 3D object in a video game, and translating a map to show different locations. Other examples include resizing an image, changing the direction and speed of a moving object, and transforming a shape in a graphic design program.

How are vector transformations used in science?

In science, vector transformations are used to describe and analyze the movement and forces of objects. For example, in physics, vector transformations are used to calculate the trajectory of a projectile, the velocity of an object, and the force acting on an object. In biology, vector transformations are used to analyze the movement of organisms and the flow of fluids in the body.

What is the difference between a vector transformation and a scalar transformation?

A vector transformation changes the magnitude, direction, or position of an object represented by a vector, while a scalar transformation only affects the magnitude of an object. In other words, a vector transformation changes the size and orientation of an object, while a scalar transformation only changes its size.

How are vector transformations represented mathematically?

Vector transformations are represented using matrix multiplication. The transformation matrix contains the coefficients that determine the scale, rotation, and translation of the vector. The vector is multiplied by the transformation matrix to produce the transformed vector. This process can be repeated multiple times to create complex transformations.

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