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

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of work done by a force vector in both rectangular and polar coordinates. In rectangular coordinates, the work is expressed as W = Fx dx + Fy dy, while in polar coordinates, it is represented as W = F dr cos(phi - r dtheta). The user attempts to derive the polar coordinate equation from the rectangular form by substituting the relationships between the coordinates and force components. The conclusion drawn is that the derived equation W = F dr cos(phi-theta) + F r dtheta sin(phi-theta) does not match the polar coordinate expression, indicating a discrepancy in the transformation process.

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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.


[itex]\vec{F}\,=\,F_r(r,\theta)\hat{r}\,+\,F_\theta(r,\theta)\,\vec{\theta}[/itex]

[itex]d\vec{r}\,=\,dr\hat{r}\,+\,rd\theta\,\vec{\theta}[/itex].
 
Last edited:

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