Electromagnetic Field Theory

2

Coordinate Systems

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Coordinate system represents a point P(x, y, z) in a coordinate space. Three orthogonal coordinate systems are discussed below. A point or a vector can be represented in an orthogonal or a non-orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system. In orthogonal coordinate systems, coordinates are mutually perpendicular.

2.2 CARTESIAN COORDINATE SYSTEM

In this, three coordinate axes are mutually perpendicular to each other. The axes are x, y and z. A position vector at the origin of such a Cartesian coordinate system is shown in Figure 2.1. Position vector may be resolved into three component vectors viz. _x, _y and _z. Vector ...