Math Problem Statement

A frame {B} is located initially coincident with a frame {A}. We rotate {B} about Ẑ_B by θ degrees, then we rotate the resulting frame about X̂_B by φ degrees. Give the rotation matrix that will change the descriptions of vectors from B_P to A_P.

Solution

This problem involves determining a rotation matrix based on two sequential rotations applied to a coordinate frame. Here's the step-by-step approach:

  1. Initial Condition: The frames {A}\{A\} and {B}\{B\} are initially coincident, meaning their coordinate axes are aligned.

  2. First Rotation: The frame {B}\{B\} is rotated about its Z^B\hat{Z}_B-axis by an angle θ\theta.

  3. Second Rotation: After the first rotation, the new orientation of frame {B}\{B\} is rotated about its X^B\hat{X}_B-axis by an angle ϕ\phi.

  4. Objective: To determine the rotation matrix that transforms a vector P\mathbf{P} described in frame BB, denoted as BPB\mathbf{P}, to the same vector described in frame AA, denoted as APA\mathbf{P}.

Steps to Solve:

  1. Rotation about Z^B\hat{Z}_B: A rotation about the Z^\hat{Z}-axis by an angle θ\theta is represented by the following rotation matrix: \cos\theta & -\sin\theta & 0 \\ \sin\theta & \cos\theta & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$$
  2. Rotation about X^B\hat{X}_B: After the rotation by θ\theta, the frame is rotated about the new X^B\hat{X}_B-axis by an angle ϕ\phi. A rotation about the X^\hat{X}-axis by ϕ\phi is represented by: 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \cos\phi & -\sin\phi \\ 0 & \sin\phi & \cos\phi \end{pmatrix}$$
  3. Combined Rotation: The combined rotation matrix that transforms from BB to AA is the product of the two rotations: R=RX(ϕ)RZ(θ)R = R_X(\phi) R_Z(\theta) where RZ(θ)R_Z(\theta) is applied first, followed by RX(ϕ)R_X(\phi).

Let's compute the combined matrix RR.

1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \cos\phi & -\sin\phi \\ 0 & \sin\phi & \cos\phi \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} \cos\theta & -\sin\theta & 0 \\ \sin\theta & \cos\theta & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$$ Multiplying these matrices: $$R = \begin{pmatrix} \cos\theta & -\sin\theta & 0 \\ \cos\phi\sin\theta & \cos\phi\cos\theta & -\sin\phi \\ \sin\phi\sin\theta & \sin\phi\cos\theta & \cos\phi \end{pmatrix}$$ ### Final Answer: The rotation matrix that transforms vectors from frame $$B$$ to frame $$A$$ is: $$R = \begin{pmatrix} \cos\theta & -\sin\theta & 0 \\ \cos\phi\sin\theta & \cos\phi\cos\theta & -\sin\phi \\ \sin\phi\sin\theta & \sin\phi\cos\theta & \cos\phi \end{pmatrix}$$ Let me know if you'd like further details or a more in-depth explanation. ### Related Questions: 1. How do you derive the rotation matrix for a rotation about the $$Y$$-axis? 2. What is the inverse of the combined rotation matrix $$R$$? 3. How does the rotation matrix change if the rotations are applied in a different order? 4. Can you compute the determinant of a general rotation matrix? 5. What are the properties of an orthogonal matrix, and why are rotation matrices orthogonal? **Tip**: Always remember that the order of applying rotations matters in three-dimensional space due to the non-commutative nature of matrix multiplication.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Algebra
Rotation Matrices
Coordinate Transformations

Formulas

Rotation matrix about Z-axis: R_Z(θ) = [[cosθ, -sinθ, 0], [sinθ, cosθ, 0], [0, 0, 1]]
Rotation matrix about X-axis: R_X(φ) = [[1, 0, 0], [0, cosφ, -sinφ], [0, sinφ, cosφ]]
Combined rotation: R = R_X(φ) * R_Z(θ)

Theorems

Properties of Rotation Matrices
Matrix Multiplication for Rotation

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Level