Difference between revisions of "Cylindrical coordinates"
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| − | '''Cylindrical coordinates''' | + | '''Cylindrical coordinates''' refers to a three-dimensional coordinate system used to describe the location of a point in space based on "r" in the x-y plane, the distance measured from the origin "θ", in addition to the angular measurement from the origin in the x-y plane, and z, the distance perpendicular to the x-y plane: (r,θ,z). |
In a sense, cylindrical coordinates are [[polar coordinates]] with a third dimension added: (r,θ) correspond to the polar coordinates for (x,y). This is in contrast to [[spherical coordinates]], where z is replaced by an angle, just like x and y are in polar coordinates. | In a sense, cylindrical coordinates are [[polar coordinates]] with a third dimension added: (r,θ) correspond to the polar coordinates for (x,y). This is in contrast to [[spherical coordinates]], where z is replaced by an angle, just like x and y are in polar coordinates. | ||
Revision as of 22:49, December 24, 2009
Cylindrical coordinates refers to a three-dimensional coordinate system used to describe the location of a point in space based on "r" in the x-y plane, the distance measured from the origin "θ", in addition to the angular measurement from the origin in the x-y plane, and z, the distance perpendicular to the x-y plane: (r,θ,z).
In a sense, cylindrical coordinates are polar coordinates with a third dimension added: (r,θ) correspond to the polar coordinates for (x,y). This is in contrast to spherical coordinates, where z is replaced by an angle, just like x and y are in polar coordinates.
The equations converting the parameters are as follows:
- r2 = x2 + y2
- tan(θ) = y/x
- x = r*cos(θ)
- y = r*sin(θ)