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Coordinate Systems

The document describes three common coordinate systems - Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates. It defines the basic coordinates and unit vectors for each system. Transformations between the different coordinate systems are provided. Additionally, it discusses line, surface, and volume elements for each coordinate system. Surface and volume elements are used to calculate areas and volumes in their respective systems.

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Sundar Sk
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165 views

Coordinate Systems

The document describes three common coordinate systems - Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates. It defines the basic coordinates and unit vectors for each system. Transformations between the different coordinate systems are provided. Additionally, it discusses line, surface, and volume elements for each coordinate system. Surface and volume elements are used to calculate areas and volumes in their respective systems.

Uploaded by

Sundar Sk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Coordinate Systems, Transformations

and their Line-Surface-Volume Elements


Coordinate Systems:
Three most common coordinate systems used in 3-dimensional representations are:
a)

Cartesian coordinates

b) Cylindrical (polar) coordinates


c) Spherical (polar) coordinates
Their basic coordinates and associated unit vectors are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
z

z
unit vectors
in Cartesian
coordinates

P(x,y,z)

&

&

&

x
x

y
Cartesian coordinates

x = constant

y = constant

y
O

y
x

z = constant

Figure 1 Cartesian Coordinate System


z
z

&

ez

unit vectors in
cylindrical
coordinates

&

= constant

er

y
r

&

P(r,,z)

r = constant

z
O

Cylindrical coordinates

z = constant

&

e r : radially outward from the center of the cylinder (Oz), on z = constant plane
&
e : tangent to the cylinder lateral surface in counterclockwise direction, on z = constant plane
&
e z : in +z direction
Figure 2 Cylindrical Coordinate System
2001Spring/Blent E. Platin & Merve Erdal

ME 210 / Coordinate Systems - 1

unit vectors
in spherical
coordinates

&

O
x

= constant

P(r,,)

z
= constant

&

e
y

&

= constant surface

Spherical coordinates
&

e : radially outward from the center of the sphere, i.e. the origin
&

e : tangent to the sphere in counterclockwise direction, on z = constant plane


&
e : tangent to the sphere in clockwise direction on = constant plane
Figure 3 Spherical Coordinate System

In Cartesian coordinates,
x = constant [,+] represents a plane parallel to Oyz plane,
y = constant [,+] represents a plane parallel to Oxz plane,
z = constant [,+] represents a plane parallel to Oxy plane.
In cylindrical coordinates,
r = constant [0,+] represents a cylinder whose axis is Oz and radius is r,
= constant [0,+2] represents a vertical half plane containing Oz,
z = constant [,+] represents a plane parallel to Oxy plane.
In spherical coordinates,
= constant [0,+] represents a sphere whose center is O and radius is ,
= constant [0,+] represents a cone whose axis is Oz and tip is located at O.
= constant [0,+2] represents a vertical half plane containing Oz,

Transformations between Coordinate Systems:


Cylindrical to Cartesian coordinates
x = r cos
y = r sin
z=z

2001Spring/Blent E. Platin & Merve Erdal

Cartesian to cylindrical coordinates


r = x 2 + y2
= tan 1 ( y / x )
z=z
ME 210 / Coordinate Systems - 2

Spherical to Cartesian coordinates


x = sin cos
y = sin sin
z = cos

Cartesian to spherical coordinates


= x 2 + y2 + z2
= tan 1 ( y / x )

= tan 1 x 2 + y 2 / z
Cylindrical to spherical coordinates

Spherical to cylindrical coordinates


r = sin
z = cos
=

= r2 + z2
= tan 1 (r / z )
=

Line elements:
In Cartesian coordinates:
ds = (dx ) 2 + (dy ) 2 + (dz ) 2
In cylindrical coordinates:
ds = (dr ) 2 + r 2 (d) 2 + (dz )2
In spherical coordinates:
ds = (d )2 + 2 (d) 2 + 2 (sin ) 2 (d)2

Surface and volume elements:


In Cartesian coordinates:
dS3

z
dz
dx
dy

dS2
y

dS1

Figure 2 Surface and Volume Elements in Cartesian Coordinates


Surface elements:
dS1 = dy dz

dS2 = dx dz

dS3 = dx dy

Volume element:
dV = dx dy dz

2001Spring/Blent E. Platin & Merve Erdal

ME 210 / Coordinate Systems - 3

In cylindrical coordinates:
z

dS3
dz

rd

dr

y
dS1

dS2

Figure 3 Surface and Volume Elements in Cylindrical Coordinates


Surface elements:
dS1 = dr dz

dS2 = r d dz

dS3 = r dr d

Volume element:
dV = r dr d dz

In spherical coordinates:
z
dS3

dS2

sind
y

dS1
x
Figure 4 Surface and Volume Elements in Spherical Coordinates
Surface elements:
dS1 = d d

dS2 = 2 sin d d

dS3 = sin d d

Volume element:
dV = 2 sin d d d

2001Spring/Blent E. Platin & Merve Erdal

ME 210 / Coordinate Systems - 4

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