Position vector

Position vector

A position, location or radius vector is a vector which represents the position of an object in space in relation to an arbitrary reference point. The concept applies to two- or three-dimensional space.Keller, F. J, Gettys, W. E. et al. (1993), p28-29] The term is also used as a means of deriving displacement by the spatial comparison of two or more position vectors and are usually 2- or, through hyperspace-based theories, 3-dimensional or "N"-dimensional if belonging to an "N"-dimensional Euclidean hyperspace.

Other applications

* In linear algebra, a position vector can be expressed as a linear combination of basis vectors.

* The kinematic movement of a point mass can be described by a position vector field P("t") which depends on a scalar time parameter "t". Inertial position vectors are used in mechanics and dynamics to keep track of the positions of particles, point masses, or rigid objects.

* In differential geometry, position vector fields are used to describe continuous and differentiable space curves, in which case the independent parameter need not be time, but can be (e.g.) arc length of the curve.

ee also

* Curve
* Parametric surface
* Vector-valued function

Notes

References

# Keller, F. J, Gettys, W. E. et al. (1993). "Physics: Classical and modern" 2nd ed. McGraw Hill Publishing


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • position vector — ▪ mechanics       straight line having one end fixed to a body and the other end attached to a moving point and used to describe the position of the point relative to the body. As the point moves, the position vector will change in length or in… …   Universalium

  • position vector — padėties vektorius statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. position vector; radius vector vok. Leitstrahl, m; Ortsvektor, m; Radiusvektor, m rus. вектор положения, m; радиус вектор, m pranc. rayon de position, m; rayon vecteur, m; rayon… …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • position vector — vietos vektorius statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. position vector vok. Ortsvektor, m rus. вектор положения, m pranc. vecteur de position, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • position vector — noun : the vector of a point drawn from an origin to the point …   Useful english dictionary

  • particle position vector — dalelės vietos vektorius statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Vektorius, nubrėžtas į dalelę iš pasirinktos koordinačių pradžios. atitikmenys: angl. particle position vector rus. радиус вектор частицы, m pranc. vecteur de… …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas

  • particle position vector — dalelės padėties vektorius statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. particle position vector vok. Teilchenortsvektor, m rus. радиус вектор частицы, m pranc. vecteur de position de la particule, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • vector analysis — the branch of calculus that deals with vectors and processes involving vectors. * * * ▪ mathematics Introduction       a branch of mathematics that deals with quantities that have both magnitude and direction. Some physical and geometric… …   Universalium

  • Vector-valued function — A vector valued function is a mathematical function that maps real numbers onto vectors. Vector valued functions can be defined as: *mathbf{r}(t)=f(t)mathbfhat{i}+g(t)mathbfhat{j} or *mathbf{r}(t)=f(t)mathbfhat{i}+g(t)mathbfhat{j}+h(t)mathbfhat{k}… …   Wikipedia

  • position — n. & v. n. 1 a place occupied by a person or thing. 2 the way in which a thing or its parts are placed or arranged (sitting in an uncomfortable position). 3 the proper place (in position). 4 the state of being advantageously placed (jockeying for …   Useful english dictionary

  • Vector control (motor) — Vector control (also called Field Oriented Control, FOC) is one method used in variable frequency drives to control the torque (and thus finally the speed) of three phase AC electric motors by controlling the current fed to the machine.MethodThe… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”