garylau
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Moved from a technical forum, so homework template missing
The discussion centers on the origin of the angle pi/4 in a line integral involving spherical coordinates. Users clarify that the angle should not be pi/4, as it relates to the quarter-circle in cylindrical coordinates. The standard definitions of spherical coordinates are referenced, emphasizing the use of Cartesian coordinates for straight lines. The conclusion is that the initial assumption regarding the angle was incorrect, and the correct angle is derived from the tangent function.
PREREQUISITESStudents of mathematics, physics, and engineering, particularly those studying vector calculus and coordinate transformations.
in section 3vanhees71 said:Hm, I don't know what ##\theta## is. Also this should be posted in the home-work section of these forums. Thus I give only a hint:
I'd only do the quarter circle in cylindrical coordinates. All other parts of the path are very easily done in Cartesian ones. To give more specific hints, I'd need to know the conventions used concerning the angles (are ##\theta## and ##\phi## interchanged compared to the standard choice of spherical coordinates with ##\theta## the polar and ##\phi## the azimuthal angle?).
You're right. It's a mistake.garylau said:Where is pi/4 coming from in the line integral(section 3)?
because i think it should be 1/2=tan(theta) which theta is 26.5651...