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project 4 orthogonality

The document discusses the concept of orthogonality in mathematics, emphasizing its importance in various fields such as geometry, linear algebra, and physics. It explains the use of orthogonal curvilinear coordinates, particularly spherical and cylindrical coordinates, in simplifying complex problems. The conclusion highlights the practical applications of orthogonality in engineering, computer science, and other areas, showcasing its role in enhancing computational efficiency.

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Sounak Barman
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11 views7 pages

project 4 orthogonality

The document discusses the concept of orthogonality in mathematics, emphasizing its importance in various fields such as geometry, linear algebra, and physics. It explains the use of orthogonal curvilinear coordinates, particularly spherical and cylindrical coordinates, in simplifying complex problems. The conclusion highlights the practical applications of orthogonality in engineering, computer science, and other areas, showcasing its role in enhancing computational efficiency.

Uploaded by

Sounak Barman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NAME: SOUNAK BARMAN

ROLL : 01 SEM : 1ST


DEPARTMENT : CE
SUBJECT NAME : MATHEMATICS - IIB
SUBJECT CODE : BSM202
TOPIC NAME : ORTHOGONAL

REPORT NAME : CA - 1
Acknowledgement

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has been part of this project. Thank you
to physics teacher for guidance and support. I am also thankful to my classmates for their
collaboration. Special thanks to my parents for their unwavering support. Thank you all for
making this project a success

Summarisation

Orthogonality is the property that means "Changing A does not change B". An example of an
orthogonal system would be a radio, where changing the station does not change the volume and
vice-versa.
Introduction

O For the description of physical processes we need a system of coordinates. The most
convenient and the most common coordinate system that is employed to measure the position
of a particle, the magnitude and direction of vectors and tensors etc., is the Cartesian coordinate
system that we have studied so far. However there are many situations where the inherent
symmetry of the system makes it difficult, sometimes almost impossible, to work with the
Cartesian coordinates. If a system has spherical symmetry, spherical polar coordinates are the
natural ones to be used rather than the Cartesian coordinates. For example, the equation for the
surface of a sphere in spherical polar coordinates is simply r = constant. In the Cartesian
coordinate system the three axes are orthogonal to each other. Though, in principle, it is not
necessary to do so, “orthogonality” of the coordinates leads to huge simplification. So we would
like the alternative system that we develop and employ should also have this feature of
orthogonality built into it. In this module we develop the general theory of these alternative
coordinate systems, the general orthogonal curvilinear coordinates , and then consider in detail
the special case of the most common such coordinates, the spherical polar and the cylindrical
coordinates in somewhat greater detail.

General transformation of coordinates


Orthogonal curvilinear coordinates

Representation of a vector

Specific orthogonal coordinate


system
There is a large number of orthogonal coordinate systems that are of use in various problems of physics. Which system
to employ depends upon the symmetry of the problem. For systems with linear symmetry, the best choice obviously is
the Cartesian coordinates. Apart from this, the problems studied most commonly have either a spherical or a
cylindrical symmetry. We will study these two in detail and mention a few others in passing.
Spherical coordinates

Cylindrical coordinates
Other orthogonal systems
The coordinate surfaces in case of Cartesian coordinates are planes. For the spherical and cylindrical coordinates the
surfaces are planes, circles or cylinders. The nomenclature depends on the nature of the coordinate surface. Thus we
have parabolic cylindrical coordinates, paraboloidal coordinates, elliptic cylindrical coordinates, prolate spheroidal
coordinates, oblate spheroidal coordinates , ellipsoidal coordinates and bipolar coordinates, apart from a few others.
To give just one example, the parabolic cylindrical coordinates are

The coordinate surfaces in this case are confocal parabolic cylinders. These coordinates find many applications in
potential theory. A typical example is the electrostatic field surrounding a flat semi-infinite conducting plate.

Conclusion

In mathematics, the concept of orthogonality plays a fundamental role in various fields,


including geometry, linear algebra, and functional analysis. It describes the perpendicularity of
vectors, functions, and spaces, leading to significant applications in engineering, physics, and
computer science. The study of orthogonality helps in simplifying complex problems, optimizing
calculations, and enhancing computational efficiency. Whether in the form of orthogonal
vectors in Euclidean spaces, orthogonal matrices, or orthogonal functions, this concept provides
a powerful tool for analysis and problem-solving. Understanding orthogonality not only
deepens mathematical insight but also broadens its practical applications in real-world
scenarios.

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