Physics Notes - Herong's Tutorial Notes - v3.24, by Herong Yang
3-Dimensional Cartesian Coordinate System
This section provides an introduction of 3-dimensional Cartesian coordinate systems, which uses perpendicular projections on 3 perpendicular axes to describe any locations in the frame of reference.
If we want to describe locations of a space shuttle flying towards a space station, we need a 3-dimensional frame of reference and an associated coordinate system.
First, let's define a 3-dimensional frame of reference with the following reference points:
Next, let's define a 3-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system and associate it to the above frame of reference:
Now we are can describe any location of the space shuttle while it's flying as a set of 3 coordinate numbers.
For example, the location of the space shuttle shown in the picture below can be described as (19113, 20706, 11857), because:
Table of Contents
►Introduction of Frame of Reference
Frame of Reference with 2 Objects
2-Dimensional Cartesian Coordinate System
►3-Dimensional Cartesian Coordinate System
1 Frame of Reference with 2 Coordinate Systems
Introduction of Special Relativity
Time Dilation in Special Relativity
Length Contraction in Special Relativity
The Relativity of Simultaneity
Minkowski Spacetime and Diagrams
Introduction of Generalized Coordinates