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1.3: Coordinate Systems

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    The coordinate systems most commonly used in engineering analysis are the Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical systems. These systems are illustrated in Figures \(\PageIndex{1}\), \(\PageIndex{2}\), and \(\PageIndex{3}\), respectively. Note that the use of variables is not universal; in particular, it is common to encounter the use of \(r\) in lieu of \(\rho\) for the radial coordinate in the cylindrical system, and the use of \(R\) in lieu of \(r\) for the radial coordinate in the spherical system.

    m0180_fCartesianBasis.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Cartesian coordinate system ( CC BY SA 4.0; K. Kikkeri)
    m0180_fCylindricalCoordinates.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Cylindrical coordinate system. ( CC BY SA 4.0; K. Kikkeri)
    m0180_fSphericalCoordinates.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Spherical coordinate system. ( CC BY SA 4.0; K. Kikkeri)

    This page titled 1.3: Coordinate Systems was last modified on Mon, 22 Mar 2021 02:50:05 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Steven W. Ellingson (Virginia Tech Libraries' Open Education Initiative) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.