I.

Title of topic:

CHAPTER 1.3: CARTESIAN COORDINATE SYSTEM

II. Objectives:

At the end of this topic, students will be able to:

A.) Describe vectors in and three dimensions in terms of their components, using
unit vectors along the axes.
B.) Explain how the magnitude of a vector is defined in terms of the components of a
vector.
C.) Distinguish between the vector components of a vector and the scalar
components of a vector.

III. Discussion/Scope of topic:

RECTANGULAR (CARTESIAN) COORDINATE SYSTEM

The measurements of distances along three mutually perpendicular directions,

designated as x,y and z, completely define a point A (x,y,z).

A Point in Rectangular Coordinate System

Figure 2. A point is specified with three coordinate values

From geometric consideration of triangle OAB,

r =√ ❑

From geometric consideration of triangle OBD,

 O B2 = √ ❑
r =√ ❑

The numbers are assigned to a point in the sequence x, y, z as shown for the
points A and B.

Specifying points in rectangular coordinate system

Figure 3. A point is specified with coordinate values

Rectangular coordinate system can also be viewed as volume composed of three

rectangular surfaces. The three surfaces are designated as a pair of axial designations
like “xy” plane. We may infer that the “xy” plane is defined by two lines (x and y axes) at
right angle. Thus, there are “xy”, “yz” and “zx” rectangular planes that make up the
space (volumetric extent) of the coordinate system (See figure).

Planes in Rectangular Coordinate System

 Figure 4. Three mutually perpendicular planes define domain of rectangular system

The motion need not be extended in all three directions, but may be limited to two or
one dimensions. A circular motion, for example, can be represented in any of the three
planes, whereby only two axes with an origin will be required to describe motion. A
linear motion, on the other hand, will require representation in one dimension only.

Equation of a Vector:

R PN =r N −r P
Where: r N =¿ coordinates of destination
r P=¿ coordinates of origin
Example: R PN =( x 2−x 1 ) ax + ( y 2− y 1 ) ay + ( z 2−z 1 ) az

Magnitude of a Vector:

|R PN|=√❑
Direction of a Vector:

Equation of Vector
a R PN =
Magnitude of Vector

a R PN =
( x 2−x 1 ) ax+ ( y 2− y 1 ) ay+ ( z 2−z 1) az
√❑

A.) Definition of Terms:

 Cartesian coordinate system - is formed by a point called the origin (denoted
by O) and a basis consisting of three mutually perpendicular vectors. These vectors
define the three coordinate axes: the x−, y−, and z−axis. They are also known as
the abscissa, ordinate and applicate axis, respectively. The coordinates of any point in
space are determined by three real numbers: x, y, z.

a – symbol for unit vector direction

B.) Sample Problems:

1.) Determine the equation, magnitude, and direction of the vector that extends from
A(2,3,5) to B(4 ,−4,5).

EQUATION:

R AB =r B −r A
R AB =( 4−2 ) ax+ (−4−3 ) ay + (−3−5 ) az
R AB =2 ax−7 ay−8 az

MAGNITUDE:

|R PN|=√❑
|R AB|=√❑
|R AB|=10.82units
DIRECTION OF A VECTOR:
 a R AB =
( x 2−x 1 ) ax + ( y 2− y 1 ) ay + ( z 2−z 1 ) az
√❑

2 ax−7 ay −8 az
a R AB =
10.82

a R AB =0.185 ax−0.647 ay−0.739 az

2) given points A(8 ,−5 , 4) and find:

a) the distance from A to B.

¿ B− A∨¿∨(−10 , 8 ,−2)∨¿ 12.96
b) a unit vector directed from A towards B.
B− A
a R AB = −0.77 ax +0.62 ay−0.15 az
¿ B− A∨¿=¿ ¿

c) a unit vector directed from the origin to the midpoint of the line AB.

( A +B)/2
¿
a0M 3 ax−ay−3 az
¿( A+ B)/2∨¿= ¿
√❑

C) Reference
https://www.math24.net/three-dimensional-coordinate-system/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-osuniversityphysics/chapter/2-2-coordinate-
systems-and-components-of-a-vector/
https://cnx.org/contents/UYPplaH7@29.32:HR1asQsu@7/Coordinate-systems-in-
physics

IV. Summary

Equation of a Vector: R PN =r N −r P

Magnitude of a Vector: |R PN|=√❑

Equation of Vector
Direction of a Vector: a R PN =
Magnitude of Vector

Achievement Review

1. The volume of a parallelepiped in Cartesian is

a) dV = dx dy dz

b) dV = dx dy

c) dV = dy dz

d) dV = dx dz

2. A charge is placed in a square container. The position of the charge with respect to the
origin can be found by

a) Spherical system

b) Circular system

c) Cartesian system

d) Space coordinate system

3. The scalar factor of Cartesian system is unity. State True/False.

a) True

b) False

4. The Cartesian coordinates can be related to cylindrical coordinates and spherical

coordinates. State True/False.

a) True

b) False

5. The Cartesian system is also called as

a) Circular coordinate system

b) Rectangular coordinate system

c) Spherical coordinate system

d) Space coordinate system

Discussion Questions

1. What do you mean by coordinate system?

2. What is the most common and preferred coordinate system?
3. How do you find the direction of a unit vector given two points?
4. How do you find an equation of a vector given two points?
5. What are some examples of cartesian coordinate system application in real life?