Re: Choosing Coordinate Systems

[Joseph Bellina <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

I think you have hit a key point...chosing a coordinate axis in which
the acceleration is along one of the axes.   Since we see motion and
infer forces, I think keeping the representation of the acceleration as
simple as possible allows the student to have a better grasp of what is
happening physically...and of course frequently the equations are easier
to solve.

cheers,

joe

On Mon, 24 Sep 2001, RAUBER, JOEL wrote:

> I say what you say, and then mention that practice helps to develope a sense
> for it.
>
> Also, what is usually easier are coordinate systems that have as many
> vectors as possible parallel to a coordinate axes; in particular ones that
> have the Acceleration parallel to a coordinate axis are often easiest to
> work with.
>
> Joel
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Tina Fanetti [mailto:FanettT@QUEST.WITCC.CC.IA.US]
> > Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 12:01 PM
> > To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
> > Subject: Choosing Coordinate Systems
> >
> >
> > When you doing force problems/examples for your students, how
> > do you explain why you choose the coordinate system you do?
> > I told them I pick the coordinate system that will make it easy.
> >
> > Actaully a more appropriate way to see this is the
> > orientation of the coordinate axis.  We are only using x-y
> > coordinates at this point.
> >
> > TIna
> >
> > Tina Fanetti
> > Physics Instructor
> > Western Iowa Technical Community College
> > 4647 Stone Ave
> > Sioux City IA 51102
> > 712-274-8733 ext 1429

Joseph J. Bellina, Jr.               219-284-4662
Associate Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556