Work in rectangular and polar coordinates: result is not the same?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating work done by a force vector in both rectangular and polar coordinates, highlighting discrepancies in the results. In rectangular coordinates, the work is expressed as W = Fx dx + Fy dy, while in polar coordinates, it is given by W = F dr cos(phi - r dtheta). The user attempts to relate these two forms by substituting expressions for Fx, Fy, and the differentials dx and dy, ultimately questioning whether the derived equation matches the polar coordinate result. A participant points out that the expressions for the force and displacement vectors in polar coordinates are incorrectly stated. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly translating between coordinate systems to ensure consistency in physical calculations.
SNES
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I'm a little puzzled with the work of a force considering rectangular and polar coordinates.

In rectangular coordinates we have:

(1) [F]=(Fx + Fy [j]) is the force vector.
(2) [dr]=(dx + dy [j]) is small displacement.

Then the work is:
(3) W = [F] [dr] = (Fx dx + Fy dy)

In polar coordinates, we have:
(4) [F] = F [r1] + phi [theta1]
(5) [dr] = dr [r2] + r dtheta [theta2]

In this case the work is:
(6) W = [F] [dr] = F dr cos(phi - r dtheta)

Now I'd like to get the last result starting from equation (3), considering:

(7) Fx=F cos(phi)
(8) Fy=F sin(phi)

(9) x=r cos(theta) and dx=dr cos(theta) - r sin(theta) dtheta
(10) y=r sin(theta) and dy=dr sin(theta) + r cos(theta) dtheta

After inserting these quantities in equation (3), I get:

(11) W = F dr cos(phi-theta) + F r dtheta sin(phi-theta)

My question is: the result in equation (11) is the same of the one given by equation (6)?

Thank you!
SNES
 
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In polar coordinates, we have:
(4) [F] = F [r1] + phi [theta1]
(5) [dr] = dr [r2] + r dtheta [theta2]
Those don't look right.


\vec{F}\,=\,F_r(r,\theta)\hat{r}\,+\,F_\theta(r,\theta)\,\vec{\theta}

d\vec{r}\,=\,dr\hat{r}\,+\,rd\theta\,\vec{\theta}.
 
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