polar vector
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Input interpretation

polar vector

Illustration

Illustration

Definition

There are two different definitions of "polar vector." In elementary math, the term "polar vector" is used to refer to a representation of a vector as a vector magnitude (length) and angle, which is equivalent to specifying its endpoints in polar coordinates (illustrated above). In physics, a polar vector is a vector such as the radius vector r that reverses sign when the coordinate axes are reversed. Polar vectors are the type of vector usually simply known as "vectors." In contrast, pseudovectors (also called axial vectors) do not reverse sign when the coordinate axes are reversed. Examples of polar vectors include r, the velocity vector v, momentum p, and force F. The cross product of two polar vectors is a pseudovector.
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Related terms

cylindrical coordinates | polar angle | polar coordinates | polar plot | pseudovector | spherical coordinates | vector

Subject classifications

MathWorld

vector algebra

MSC 2010

15A72 | 15-XX
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