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Commit 2153e89b authored by Maciej Topyla's avatar Maciej Topyla
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Update src/2_coordinates.md

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...@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ and $(x'_1, x'_2, \ldots, x'_n)$ can be quickly computed using a general formula ...@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ and $(x'_1, x'_2, \ldots, x'_n)$ can be quickly computed using a general formula
$$\Delta s^2 = (x'_1 - x_1)^2 + (x'_2 - x_2)^2 + \ldots + (x'_n - x_n)^2.$$ $$\Delta s^2 = (x'_1 - x_1)^2 + (x'_2 - x_2)^2 + \ldots + (x'_n - x_n)^2.$$
(A space with such a distance definition is called a *Euclidean (A space with such a distance definition is called an *Euclidean
space*.) space*.)
In mathematics, we are often dealing with so-called *infinitesimally* small In mathematics, we are often dealing with so-called *infinitesimally* small
...@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ of a function of $r, \varphi$ in terms of $x$? ...@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ of a function of $r, \varphi$ in terms of $x$?
For this, we need to realize that there are relations between the coordinate systems. For this, we need to realize that there are relations between the coordinate systems.
In particular, $r = r(x,y)$ and $\varphi = \varphi(x, y)$ as defined in equations In particular, $r = r(x,y)$ and $\varphi = \varphi(x, y)$ as defined in equations
of the [inverse relations](#The-inverse-relation). In fact, we have been rather sloppy in our notation above, of [the inverse relations](#the-inverse-relation). In fact, we have been rather sloppy in our notation above,
as the functions $f(x,y)$ and $f(r, \varphi)$ do not mean that I substitute $x=r$ as the functions $f(x,y)$ and $f(r, \varphi)$ do not mean that I substitute $x=r$
and $y=\varphi$! It is more precise to state that there are two diferent and $y=\varphi$! It is more precise to state that there are two diferent
functions $f_\text{cart}(x,y)$ and $f_\text{polar}(r, \varphi)$ that are equivalent, functions $f_\text{cart}(x,y)$ and $f_\text{polar}(r, \varphi)$ that are equivalent,
...@@ -214,22 +214,22 @@ $$ \frac{\partial}{\partial x} f(r, \varphi) = ...@@ -214,22 +214,22 @@ $$ \frac{\partial}{\partial x} f(r, \varphi) =
$$ $$
and it is now a matter of (tedious) calculus to arrive at the right result. and it is now a matter of (tedious) calculus to arrive at the right result.
This is the task of exercises 3 and 4, which finally compute the Laplacian This is the task of exercises 3 and 4, which lead you to compute the Laplacian
in polar coordinates. in polar coordinates.
!!! warning Inverse function theorem !!! warning "Inverse function theorem"
In this calculation one might be tempted to use the inverse In this calculation, one might be tempted to use the inverse
function theorem to compute derivatives like function theorem to compute derivatives like
$\frac{\partial \varphi}{\partial x}$ from the much simpler $\frac{\partial \varphi}{\partial x}$ from the much simpler
$\frac{\partial x}{\partial \varphi}$. Note though that here we $\frac{\partial x}{\partial \varphi}$. However, note that here we
are dealing with functions depending on several variables, so the are dealing with functions depending on several variables, so an appropriate
*Jacobian* has to be used (see [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse_function_theorem)). A direct calculation is in this particular case more easy. *Jacobian* has to be used (see [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse_function_theorem)). A direct calculation is in this particular case considerably easier.
Note that this procedure also carries over to other coordinate systems, Note that this procedure also applies to transformations to other coordinate systems,
although the calculations can become quite tedious. In these cases, although the calculations can become quite tedious. In conventional cases,
it's usually best to look up the correct form. it is usually advised to look up the correct form.
## Coordinate systems in 3D ## 2.3. Coordinate systems in 3D
<iframe width="100%" height=315 src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VjUbnZN1BvA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="100%" height=315 src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VjUbnZN1BvA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
...@@ -239,10 +239,10 @@ it's usually best to look up the correct form. ...@@ -239,10 +239,10 @@ it's usually best to look up the correct form.
Three dimensional systems may have axial symmetry. An example is an Three dimensional systems may have axial symmetry. An example is an
electrically charged wire of which we would like to calculate the electrically charged wire of which we would like to calculate the
electric field, or a current-carrying wire for which we would like to electric field, or a current-carrying wire for which we would like to
calculate the magnetic field. For such problems the most convenient calculate the magnetic field. For such problems, the most convenient
coordinates are *cylindrical coordinates*. For convenience, we choose coordinates are *cylindrical coordinates*. For a further convenience, we choose
the symmetry-axis as the $z$-axis. Note that this can be done as we can the symmetry-axis as the $z$-axis. Note that this allowed, because we may
choose the coordinate system ourselves - this is not imposed by the choose the coordinate system ourselves - it is not imposed by the
problem. problem.
Cylindrical coordinates are defined straightforwardly: we use polar Cylindrical coordinates are defined straightforwardly: we use polar
...@@ -250,12 +250,15 @@ coordinates $r$ and $\varphi$ in the $xy$ plane, and the distance $z$ ...@@ -250,12 +250,15 @@ coordinates $r$ and $\varphi$ in the $xy$ plane, and the distance $z$
along the symmetry-axis as the third coordinate. If the axis system is along the symmetry-axis as the third coordinate. If the axis system is
chosen in physical space, we have two coordinates which have the chosen in physical space, we have two coordinates which have the
dimension of a distance: $r$ and $z$. The other coordinate, dimension of a distance: $r$ and $z$. The other coordinate,
$\varphi$, is of course dimensionless. $\varphi$ is of course dimensionless.
What is the distance travelled along a path when we express this in What is the distance travelled along a path when we express this in
cylindrical coordinates? Let’s consider an example (Figure). cylindrical coordinates? Let’s consider an example shown in the figure below.
![image](figures/Coordinates_13_0.svg) <figure markdown>
![image](figures/Coordinates_13_0.svg)
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
We want to find the length of the (small) red segment $d s$. By We want to find the length of the (small) red segment $d s$. By
inspecting the figure, we see that the horizontal (i.e. parallel to the inspecting the figure, we see that the horizontal (i.e. parallel to the
...@@ -265,7 +268,9 @@ segment in the $xy$ plane, expressed in polar coordinates, we ...@@ -265,7 +268,9 @@ segment in the $xy$ plane, expressed in polar coordinates, we
immediately find: immediately find:
$$d s^2 = d l^2 + d z^2 = d r^2 + r^2 d \varphi^2 + d z^2.$$ $$d s^2 = d l^2 + d z^2 = d r^2 + r^2 d \varphi^2 + d z^2.$$
The volume element is consequently given as The volume element is consequently given as
$$dV = r dr d\varphi dz.$$
!!! info "Volume element in cylindrical coordinates"
$$dV = r dr d\varphi dz.$$
### Spherical coordinates ### Spherical coordinates
......
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