Conversions

 Hint: It really helps to draw a diagram when converting between rectangular components and the
polar form.

Polar  Rectangular Components

If  is the angle measured anti-clockwise from the x-axis, then r r sin 

the x component is r cos  and the y component is r sin .  (opposite side)
r cos  (adjacent side)
You can use your calculator to do the conversion:
Casio: REC(10 , 205) Sharp: 10 , 205 xy
(Warning: Make sure your calculator is in degrees.)
You can also use other angles, e.g. for the x-component in Question 5 a) above you could use:
10 cos 205 = − 9.1 N OR 10 cos 25 = 9.1 N OR 10 sin 65 = 9.1 N
(for the last two, you would get the –x direction from your vector diagram)

Rectangular  Polar components

𝑟
To convert from rectangular coordinates to polar form, use: r = 𝑟 + 𝑟 and tan  = 𝑟 .
Or use your calculator: Casio: POL(−4 , 3) Sharp: −4 , 3 r
(Warning: Make sure you give your answer in the correct quadrant – look at your diagram to check.)

Vectors in 3D
Vectors do not only have two components; In this diagram, the y-axis
they have three: x, y, z (using rectangular and z-axis are in the plane
of the page.
components) or r, , z (using a cylindrical
polar system), as illustrated by the diagram
alongside. In rectangular components, a
weight of 6.0 N down would be written as This is a point in
front of the
𝐖⃗ =  0, −6.0, 0  N for a coordinate system page.
where 𝐖⃗ is in the – ĵ direction.

Note: the Cartesian coordinate system is a right-

handed system. This means it can be related to the
thumb, index finger and middle finger (all at right
angles) on your right hand. Your thumb represents
the x axis, your index finger the y axis, and your
middle finger the z axis. This x-axis points out of the
page, perpendicular to the
page