Direction angle

Definition

A direction angle is the angle between a reference axis, typically the positive x-axis, and a vector in a coordinate system. It is used to describe the orientation of the vector in space.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The direction angle helps determine the components of a vector in Cartesian coordinates.
2. It can be calculated using inverse trigonometric functions such as arctan.
3. In three dimensions, there are usually two direction angles: azimuthal and polar angles.
4. A direction angle is measured from 0° to 360° in a counterclockwise direction from the reference axis.
5. Direction angles are essential for converting between different coordinate systems like polar and Cartesian.

Review Questions

• What is the direction angle of a vector pointing along the positive y-axis?
• How do you calculate the direction angle if given the components of a vector?
• What is the range of possible values for a direction angle?

Related terms

Vector: A quantity having both magnitude and direction, represented by an arrow.

Magnitude: The length or size of a vector.

Component Form: Representation of a vector by its projections along coordinate axes.