Mathematical Physics and Newtonian Mechanics by Pearson

Appendices

1. Position of a point on a spherical surface

Let us consider a body having spherical surface, as shown in Figure 1. Suppose, the body spins about its on axis passing through its center C. The spin-axis may be in any direction. This axis intersects the surface of the body at two points, P and Q, called the poles. A plane passing through the center C and having the axis as normal to it, intersects the surface of the body in a circle, called the equator, which is a great circle.

Figure 1: The spin axis of a spherical surface, passing through its center C intersects the surface of the body at two points P and Q, called the poles. A ...