Plane Curvilinear Motion - Polar Coordinates

 

Polar coordinate system

 

The polar coordinate system is defined by the coordinates r and θ. Just like the n-t coordinate axes, the r and θ axes are attached to and move with the particle.

 

• Radial Coordinate: (r) The distance from the origin of the x-y coordinate system to the particle.
• r – axis: Parallel to r and points away from the origin.
• Transverse Coordinate: (θ) The angle between the positive x-axis and r.
• θ – axis: Perpendicular to the r – axis and is positive in the direction of increasing θ.