## Activity: Curvilinear Basis Vectors

Static Fields 2022 (5 years)
Students use their arms to depict (sequentially) the different cylindrical and spherical basis vectors at the location of their shoulder (seen in relation to a specified origin of coordinates: either a set of axes hung from the ceiling of the room or perhaps a piece of furniture or a particular corner of the room).
• This activity is used in the following sequences
What students learn
• The basis vector $\widehat{\hbox{coordinate}}$ points in the direction in which $\hbox{coordinate}$ is increasing.
• Basis vectors are (straight) unit vectors even when they are basis vectors for a coordinate which is an angle, e.g. $\hat{\phi}$
• Some basis vectors in cylindrical and spherical coordinates, e.g. $\hat{\phi}$, vary in direction as you move from point to point in space.
• Basis vectors for a single coordinate are a simple iconic example of a vector space.
• Media
• group Electric Field Due to a Ring of Charge

group Small Group Activity

30 min.

##### Electric Field Due to a Ring of Charge
Static Fields 2022 (6 years)

Power Series Sequence (E&M)

Ring Cycle Sequence

Students work in groups of three to use Coulomb's Law $\vec{E}(\vec{r}) =\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\int\frac{\rho(\vec{r}^{\,\prime})\left(\vec{r}-\vec{r}^{\,\prime}\right)}{\vert \vec{r}-\vec{r}^{\,\prime}\vert^3} \, d\tau^{\prime}$ to find an integral expression for the electric field, $\vec{E}(\vec{r})$, everywhere in space, due to a ring of charge.

In an optional extension, students find a series expansion for $\vec{E}(\vec{r})$ either on the axis or in the plane of the ring, for either small or large values of the relevant geometric variable. Add an extra half hour or more to the time estimate for the optional extension.

• format_list_numbered Curvilinear Coordinate Sequence

format_list_numbered Sequence

##### Curvilinear Coordinate Sequence
The curvilinear coordinate sequence introduces cylindrical and spherical coordinates (including inconsistencies between physicists' and mathematicians' notational conventions) and the basis vectors adapted to these coordinate systems.
• group Vector Differential--Curvilinear

group Small Group Activity

30 min.

##### Vector Differential--Curvilinear
Vector Calculus II 2022 (7 years)

Integration Sequence

In this small group activity, students are given a picture as a guide. They then write down an algebraic expression for the vector differential in different coordinate systems (cartesian, cylindrical, spherical).

Use Vector Differential--Rectangular as an introduction. This activity can be done simultaneously with Pineapples and Pumpkins where students or the instructor cut volume elements out of pineapples and/or pumpkins to show the geometry.

• group Vector Surface and Volume Elements

group Small Group Activity

30 min.

##### Vector Surface and Volume Elements
Static Fields 2022 (3 years)

Integration Sequence

Students use known algebraic expressions for vector line elements $d\vec{r}$ to determine all simple vector area $d\vec{A}$ and volume elements $d\tau$ in cylindrical and spherical coordinates.

This activity is identical to Scalar Surface and Volume Elements except uses a vector approach to find directed surface and volume elements.

• assignment_ind Vector Differential--Rectangular

assignment_ind Small White Board Question

10 min.

##### Vector Differential--Rectangular
Static Fields 2022 (7 years)

Integration Sequence

In this introductory lecture/SWBQ, students are given a picture as a guide. They then write down an algebraic expression for the vector differential in rectangular coordinates for coordinate equals constant paths.

This activity can be done as a mini-lecture/SWBQ as an introduction to Vector Differential--Curvilinear where students find the vector differential in cylindrical and spherical coordinates..

• assignment The Gradient for a Point Charge

assignment Homework

##### The Gradient for a Point Charge
Static Fields 2022 (4 years)

The electrostatic potential due to a point charge at the origin is given by: $$V=\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q}{r}$$

1. Find the electric field due to a point charge at the origin as a gradient in rectangular coordinates.
2. Find the electric field due to a point charge at the origin as a gradient in spherical coordinates.
3. Find the electric field due to a point charge at the origin as a gradient in cylindrical coordinates.

• group Magnetic Field Due to a Spinning Ring of Charge

group Small Group Activity

30 min.

##### Magnetic Field Due to a Spinning Ring of Charge
Static Fields 2022 (5 years)

Power Series Sequence (E&M)

Ring Cycle Sequence

Students work in groups of three to use the Biot-Savart law $\vec{B}(\vec{r}) =\frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\int\frac{\vec{J}(\vec{r}^{\,\prime})\times \left(\vec{r}-\vec{r}^{\,\prime}\right)}{\vert \vec{r}-\vec{r}^{\,\prime}\vert^3} \, d\tau^{\prime}$ to find an integral expression for the magnetic field, $\vec{B}(\vec{r})$, due to a spinning ring of charge.

In an optional extension, students find a series expansion for $\vec{B}(\vec{r})$ either on the axis or in the plane of the ring, for either small or large values of the relevant geometric variable. Add an extra half hour or more to the time estimate for the optional extension.

• assignment Distance Formula in Curvilinear Coordinates

assignment Homework

##### Distance Formula in Curvilinear Coordinates

Ring Cycle Sequence

Static Fields 2022 (4 years)

The distance $\left\vert\vec r -\vec r\,{}'\right\vert$ between the point $\vec r$ and the point $\vec r'$ is a coordinate-independent, physical and geometric quantity. But, in practice, you will need to know how to express this quantity in different coordinate systems.

1. Find the distance $\left\vert\vec r -\vec r\,{}'\right\vert$ between the point $\vec r$ and the point $\vec r'$ in rectangular coordinates.
2. Show that this same distance written in cylindrical coordinates is: $$\left|\vec r -\vec r\,{}'\right| =\sqrt{s^2+s\,{}'^2-2ss\,{}'\cos(\phi-\phi\,{}') +(z-z\,{}')^2}$$
3. Show that this same distance written in spherical coordinates is: $$\left\vert\vec r -\vec r\,{}'\right\vert =\sqrt{r'^2+r\,{}^2-2rr\,{}' \left[\sin\theta\sin\theta\,{}'\cos(\phi-\phi\,{}') +\cos\theta\cos\theta\,{}'\right]}$$
4. Now assume that $\vec r\,{}'$ and $\vec r$ are in the $x$-$y$ plane. Simplify the previous two formulas.

• assignment Line Sources Using Coulomb's Law

assignment Homework

##### Line Sources Using Coulomb's Law
Static Fields 2022 (4 years)
1. Find the electric field around a finite, uniformly charged, straight rod, at a point a distance $s$ straight out from the midpoint, starting from Coulomb's Law.
2. Find the electric field around an infinite, uniformly charged, straight rod, starting from the result for a finite rod.
• group Flux through a Cone

group Small Group Activity

30 min.

##### Flux through a Cone
Static Fields 2022 (3 years)

Integration Sequence

Students calculate the flux from the vector field $\vec{F} = C\, z\, \hat{z}$ through a right cone of height $H$ and radius $R$ .

## Instructor's Guide

### Prerequisite Knowledge

We usually do this activity after giving the students a brief introduction to cylindrical and spherical coordinates (e.g. Curvilinear Coordinates Introduction).

• Place a set of coordinate axes somewhere in the room.
We prefer an origin of coordinates on the ceiling in a back corner of the room. If you don't have a set of coordinate axes, then explain that a rectangular piece of furniture such as the podium in the classroom or a corner of the room will represent the origin and rectangular axes.
• Tell the students: "Imagine that your right shoulder is a point in space relative to the origin of coordinates. Use your right arm to show $\hat{x}$.” Then, quickly repeat with $\hat{y}$ and $\hat{z}$.
• Now tell the students: "CLOSE YOUR EYES. Use your right arm to show $\hat{s}$ in cylindrical coordinates.”
• Once everybody has committed to an answer, ask the students to open their eyes.
• Repeat for $\hat{\phi}$ in cylindrical and $\hat{\theta}$ in spherical coordinates.

### Student Conversations

• Which direction should the basis vector point?: A basis vector $\widehat{coordinate}$ is the unit vector that points in the direction that $coordinate$ is changing, i.e. $\hat x$ is the unit vector that points in the direction that $x$ is changing.
• Basis vectors are not generally constant in space: Although the basis vectors that correspond to rectangular coordinates $x$, $y$, and $z$ are constants, i.e. they point the same direction at each point in space; most of the basis vectors that correspond to cylindrical and spherical coordinates point in different directions at each point in space. When using basis vectors adapted to curvilinear coordinates in derivatives and integrals, it is essential to remember that these basis vectors are not constant.
• Curvilinear basis vectors make a nice example of a vector field: The basis vectors adapted to a single coordinate form a simple example of the geometrical notion of a vector field, i.e. a vector at every point in space. For example, the polar basis vectors ${\hat{r},\hat{\phi}}$ are shown in these figures

• Radial basis vectors: In cylindrical coordinates, the radial basis vector $\hat{s}$ is always parallel to the $x$-$y$ plane (i.e. the floor of your classroom), but in spherical coordinates, the radial basis vector $\hat{r}$ points directly away from the origin (i.e. is only parallel to the floor when evaluated for points in the $x$-$y$ plane).
• Basis vectors are straight: The basis vectors are vectors, i.e. they are straight arrows in space, even when they correspond to coordinates that are angles.
• $\hat{\theta}$ should point generally downward: Make sure that the directions in which students point agree with the directions in the figures below.

In particular, $\hat{\theta}$ should point generally downward.

• The basis vectors at a single point form an orthonormal set: The basis vectors for cylindrical or spherical coordinates at a single point are orthonormal. Therefore, they can be used to expand any vector at that point and the formulas for dot and cross product work in exactly the same way that they would for rectangular basis vectors. However, since the directions of the basis vectors vary from point to point, they should NEVER be used to compare two vectors that live at different points.

### Wrap-up

No wrap-up in needed beyond covering all the points listed in Student Conversations. The student handout solution can be provided to students. It contains figures that show the coordinate basis vectors at a single point.

Author Information
Corinne Manogue
Learning Outcomes